What does a student do if he/she is awarded another scholarship after receiving the HAMP scholarship?
HAMP Foundation scholars sign a contract with HAMP Foundation stating that they will forego any other scholarships. One of the reasons HAMP Foundation insists that our scholars refuse other scholarships is to allow those opportunities to pass to other, deserving students. HAMP Foundation scholars do not need other scholarships, because HAMP Foundation is covering virtually all of their school expenses. HAMP Foundation scholarships are awarded before most other scholarships, making it a simple matter for HAMP Foundation students to refuse any scholarships they may be offered subsequently. If, however, without the student’s prior knowledge, he/she receives a scholarship check in his/her name (as opposed to a scholarship that is sent directly to the university) it is the student’s absolute obligation to endorse that scholarship check over to the HAMP Foundation. This check, along with any documentation received with the check, should be forwarded immediately to the HAMP Foundation. It is very important that any and all such scholarship checks not be cashed or used by the student because of the tax implications this would have for both the student and also for the HAMP Foundation.
Will the HAMP Foundation reimburse for supplies?
The HAMP Foundation will reimburse for supplies only if the student can produce an official course document stating that the supplies are required for a class in which he/she is currently enrolled.
What if a student doesn’t want to sign up for a university meal program? Will HAMP reimburse for food bought at a grocery store?
The HAMP Foundation will reimburse only for university meal programs. At the University of Wisconsin Madison, all residents should select the Go14 meal plan. The charge will be added to your Housing bill and be paid by HAMP directly to the university. The university will then deposit that amount into a Resident Food Account on your Wiscard, which you can use exclusively for on-campus dining. University policy is that this money is nontransferable. If you eat more than this amount, you can add money to your Wiscard at any time. HAMP requires that you may only use any money deposited by HAMP into your Resident Food Account for qualified food expenses. Students have an obligation to turn over to HAMP any funds remaining in their Resident Food Account when they separate from the university.
What are the conditions for renewal of the scholarship each year?
Once selected, the student may be awarded the HAMP scholarship for a total of 8 contiguous semesters provided the following conditions are met:
The student must submit documentation to the Foundation each semester showing that he/she is enrolled full-time at one of the eligible universities. The Foundation may, in its sole discretion, allow a student to take one semester off or to attend less than full-time for one semester in extenuating circumstances. If a student requires less than a full-time course load to complete his/her degree in the final semester, then the student may attend at less than full-time without losing the HAMP scholarship.
The student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 or higher and demonstrate academic progress by submitting a transcript in a timely manner to the Foundation at the end of each semester.
What if a student fails to obtain a 3.3 cumulative GPA?
HAMP Scholars are required to maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 or higher. Each semester, HAMP Scholars submit their GPAs in a timely manner to the Foundation. If after submission of a student's spring grades, his or her cumulative GPA is below a 3.3, the Foundation’s obligation to provide scholarship funds ceases immediately. In the absolute discretion of the Foundation, when a student fails to maintain a cumulative 3.3 GPA in a spring semester, the Foundation may place the student on “academic probation” for the next academic term, and sanctions may be applied.
What if a student needs to drop a class?
HAMP scholars must notify the HAMP Foundation in writing as soon as possible if considering dropping a class, since this could have implications for the scholarship. The written communication should include detailed information on the circumstances that make it necessary to drop the class. If a HAMP scholar drops a class after the refund date, he/she will need to pay HAMP for the cost of the class. Under certain circumstances, this requirement may be waived.
What if a student wants to transfer between UW-Madison and UM-Twin Cities?
Students will be allowed to transfer between the two eligible institutions and retain their HAMP Foundation scholarship. Proof of enrollment must be received by the Foundation from the new university to maintain scholarship eligibility
What if a student wants to take a semester off or study at a university other than UW-Madison or UM-Twin Cities for a semester?
If a student ceases to be enrolled as a full-time student at one of the qualifying institutions (UW-Madison or UM-Twin Cities), HAMP Foundation’s obligation with respect to the student’s scholarship ceases. If after taking time off (or attending a different university for a semester) the student returns to one of the two qualifying universities, the HAMP Foundation, in its absolute discretion, may elect to re-instate the student’s HAMP Scholarship. The reinstatement of a HAMP Foundation scholarship will be made on a case-by-case basis and shall be subject to the terms of the original agreement between the student and the HAMP Foundation. Under no circumstances will HAMP pay tuition at a university other than the two qualifying universities.
What if a student wants to study abroad?
The HAMP Foundation wants to encourage its scholars to take advantage of study abroad opportunities. Therefore, if during the course of his/her four years of eligibility for a HAMP Foundation scholarship, a student should locate a study abroad opportunity that will advance his/her academic goals, the HAMP Foundation, in its absolute discretion, will work with the student to continue to provide the same or equivalent benefits as the student is entitled to receive under the terms of the HAMP Foundation scholarship. In practice, this will mean that HAMP Foundation will cover study abroad expenses equivalent to normal tuition, food and housing at the qualifying university that is the student’s original place of study (UW-Madison or UM-Twin Cities). In order for HAMP Foundation to pay these expenses, they must be payable by HAMP Foundation to an educational institution (i.e., HAMP Foundation cannot and will not pay these expenses directly to the student or the student’s family). The expense of books and supplies will continue to be reimbursed to the student or to the student’s family as usual (i.e., student must furnish receipts for all such items for which reimbursement is requested). Air fare/travel cost will be the responsibility of the student.
Will HAMP pay for summer school or “winterim” courses?
The HAMP Foundation will pay for tuition, room and board only during fall or spring terms in which a student is enrolled on a full-time basis. Summer sessions will not be covered.
What if a student can’t finish his/her degree within a four-year period?
The HAMP Foundation is only obligated to pay for tuition during the four-year period beginning with the first semester of the student’s enrollment at one of the qualifying universities. On a case-by-case basis (i.e., if a student took a semester off) the HAMP Foundation, in its absolute discretion, may cover tuition for semesters beyond this four-year period, as provided in Q1, above.
What if a student finishes his/her undergraduate studies in less than four years?
The HAMP scholarship is designed to cover four years of undergraduate costs. Should a student graduate in less than four years, he/she will forfeit the remainder of the HAMP scholarship.