Bluestone Scholarships Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where do I find the actual scholarship application on the website?
I encourage you to read all of the scholarship information on the website before starting the application. You will find the "apply now" link following the information about the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarships. For the Madison Achievement Scholarships your application for admission to the university is all that is required for consideration.
2. Am I required to apply Early Action to JMU to qualify for Bluestone Scholarships?
Eligibility rules for the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarships require applicants to apply for Early Action admission. Other scholarships at JMU are available to early and regular applicants.
3. What if I originally applied Regular Decision, but since I have learned about the Bluestone Scholarship application, I want to change my application to Early Action?
If you have already submitted an online application as a Regular Decision freshman applicant, but want to change your status to Early Action, you can send an email prior to Nov. 1 requesting that change. All supplemental materials to support your application for admission (high school transcripts, SAT or ACT scores), must be received by the Office of Admission by the Early Action deadline. Send your email request to admissions@jmu.edu.
4. Can I apply for the Bluestone Scholarships before I am notified that I have been accepted to JMU?
Absolutely. The scholarship application deadline is before our acceptance notification date.
5. What is the difference between the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarship and the Madison Achievement Scholarship?
The primary difference in the two scholarships is the amount of the award. In selecting recipients, the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarships focus on service to others. The Madison Achievement Scholarships recognize a broad spectrum of accomplishment and potential.
6. How many scholarship candidates will you interview for the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarships?
We plan to interview 50 candidates on campus February 17, 2008. All students attending the campus interviews will receive a scholarship award, with amounts varying between the top awards of the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarships which are equivalent to full in-state tuition, to the smallest Madison Achievement awards of $500.
7. What if you invite me to the interview, but I can not travel to campus on February 17? Is there an alternative interview opportunity available?
Eligibility for the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarships requires a face-to-face interview. Students who cannot come to the interview are still eligible for the Madison Achievement Scholarships.
8. When will I hear from you about the scholarships?
Our approximate timeline is as follows:
- January 15:
- Invitations to the scholarship interviews mailed. Only applicants to be interviewed will be notified at this time.
- February 17:
- Scholarship interviews on campus.
- March 1:
- Award letters mailed to interviewed candidates.
- March 15:
- Additional Madison Achievement Scholarship award letters mailed.
All scholarship applicants, including those we do not interview, will remain in the Bluestone Scholarship applicant pool until all scholarships are awarded and accepted.
We will not notify Bluestone Scholarship applicants who do not receive a scholarship.
9. Will you accept and use the official high school transcripts and SAT & ACT scores that I have sent to the admissions office or do I have to send them separately to you?
You do not need to resend your transcripts or test scores. We ask you to self-report your most current SAT and/or ACT scores on the scholarship application. The Office of Admissions will update your scholarship application with any new SAT or ACT scores.
10. Can I send you an attached typed resume containing all my information about extracurricular activities, personal and volunteer activities, academic awards, honors, and achievements, or do I have to fill out the pages on the application about these areas?
Although we recognize that most students have prepared an activities and awards resume, we require that you transfer that information to the scholarship application. If you need extra space, feel free to attach an additional sheet, but the basic format needs to follow the scholarship application.
11. Can my letters of recommendation be from anyone? Can I use the same recommendation I submitted in my application for admission?
Your letters of recommendation can be from anyone. It is your decision who can best provide information about you to the scholarship committee. One of your letters of recommendation can be the same letter of recommendation submitted with your freshmen application; however, it is your responsibility to ensure that a second copy accompanies your scholarship application.
12. Can the people writing my recommendations email me their recommendation and I print off a copy to include with the rest of my application materials?
Yes, you may make a copy of an email recommendation, but the information should include contact information for the person preparing the recommendation. (Here is a tip: a formal letter displaying the signature of the preparer is more impressive.)
13. Can my letters of recommendation arrive separately from the scholarship application? What if a teacher will not give the letter to me? Instead, the teacher wants to mail it in.
I understand that preparers of recommendations often prefer a confidential letter; however, we need all your scholarship application materials to come in one package. Therefore, I suggest that the person writing your letter of recommendation place the letter in a sealed envelope and sign across the seal.
14. Can I use the personal statement from my freshmen application, as an answer to an essay question? Will the duplication be a problem?
A faculty committee will review your scholarship essays, while the JMU Office of Admissions committee will review your application for admission, therefore, we will not notice the duplication. However, be careful when preparing your scholarship essays to directly address the questions. There is no question to prompt you for the admissions application personal statement.
15. Does it matter if a scholarship applicant is a Virginia or non-Virginia resident? Are international students eligible to apply?
All entering freshmen applicants are eligible to apply for Bluestone Scholarships, regardless of residency.
16. Are these scholarships available for transfer students? Do you have any scholarships for transfers?
The Bluestone Scholarship program is exclusive to entering freshmen. Transfer students can research available scholarships through the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website at: www.jmu.edu/finaid/
17. Does a scholarship applicant have to receive an Early Action offer of admission to JMU to receive the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarship?
Yes, all students invited to interview for the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarships on February 17 will have also received an Early Action offer of admission to JMU.
18. What is your GPA and SAT/ACT requirement to be eligible for the Bluestone Scholarships?
There is no specific GPA or standardized test score required to receive one of the Bluestone Scholarships. Successful scholarship candidates must meet the academic standards for admission to JMU. The specific award criteria will depend upon the size and strength of the applicant pool.
19. Do I need to fill out financial aid information?No, financial need is not a factor in the selection of the Bluestone Scholarships, however, we recommend that all applicants for admission to JMU also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, as part of your preparation for college and your application for financial aid. The FAFSA priority filing date for JMU is March 1.
20. Are there any freshmen scholarships available without submitting the Bluestone Scholarship application?
Yes, but we will identify the majority of freshmen merit awards through the Bluestone Scholarship application. A few JMU academic departments offer merit scholarships that require a test rather than an application. Departments with scholarships awarded outside of the Bluestone Scholarships will contact potential candidates directly.
21. If I receive a Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarship, am I required to participate in the mentorship program with Dr. Mark Warner, or is that optional?
Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholars are required to participate in Dr. Warner's mentorship program. This is a great opportunity. It is our intention to support students who have received this prestigious award by providing resources to transition into the JMU community, and to continue the level of involvement that was recognized in receiving this scholarship.
Scholarship recipients who opt to leave the mentorship program in subsequent years are not eligible for the Thomas and Karyn Dingledine Scholarship award that academic year. Students who request to leave the program and return in a later semester must submit that request to Dr. Warner with a reasonable explanation.
22. Are there additional requirements for the Madison Achievement Scholarships that award for two years?
Yes, students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to remain eligible for Madison Achievement Scholarships that award for two years. Some Madison Achievement awards have additional requirements, which we will clearly state in the award letter. For example, the Honors Program Madison Achievement Scholarship will require that the recipient meet standards for the Honors Program.
23. Who are Thomas and Karyn Dingledine?
The Dingledine family has a long tradition at James Madison University. Thomas and Karyn Dingledine are relatives of an impressive list of Dingledines who were memorable faculty and staff at Madison College and James Madison University in the mid 1900's through the 1970's. Thomas and Karyn want to recognize and encourage JMU students with a demonstrated vision to impact others through service, leadership, and passion.