Spectrum - Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the Spectrum Scholarship?
The Spectrum Scholarship provides a one time, nonrenewable $5,000 scholarship awarded in two installments in September and January. The Spectrum Scholarship also affords recipients the opportunity to attend the Spectrum Leadership Institute the summer following the first year of study. Considered a highlight of the Spectrum Scholarship experience, the Spectrum Leadership Institute offers professional development, networking, and mentoring opportunities. Valued at over $1500 the Institute package includes travel, lodging, meals and complimentary registration for the ALA Annual Conference.
Q. How many Spectrum Scholarships are awarded?
Spectrum awards as many annual scholarships as possible dependent on funding. ALA was proud to award 67 Spectrum Scholarships in 2005 thanks to a nearly $1 million, 3-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This grant ensures that a minimum of 60 scholarships will be awarded for the upcoming 2006-2007, and 2007-2008 scholarship years.
Q. Who is eligible to apply for a Spectrum Scholarship?
Students from American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander backgrounds planning to attend an ALA-accredited graduate program in library and information science or an ALA-recognized NCATE School Library Media program are invited to apply. The Spectrum Scholarship was established to address the specific issue of under-representation of critically needed ethnic and ethno-linguistic librarians from these groups.
Q. Do I have to be a U.S. Citizen to apply for a Spectrum Scholarship?
No, but you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or Canada.
Q. I am not a resident of the United States or Canada; does the ALA provide any scholarships for non-U.S./Canadian citizens or permanent residents?
There are three scholarships that have no residency restrictions. These include: the AASL School Librarian’s Workshop Scholarship and the following LITA Scholarships: the LITA Sirsi Scholarship and the LITA Christian Larew Memorial Scholarship. Visit the ALA Scholarship website (www.ala.org/scholarships) for links to more information on each of these scholarships.
Q. Do I need to have applied to library school to submit an application for Spectrum?
No. Many Spectrum applicants are in the process of submitting applications to library schools at the time of their scholarship application. Even if you have not begun applications to library school, it is strongly recommended that you submit a scholarship application so that you do not miss our scholarship funding cycle or risk accumulating too many credits to apply in future years.
Q. Do I need to be accepted into a graduate program to apply for Spectrum?
No. You do not need to have been formally accepted into a graduate program in library and information science to apply or to be awarded a scholarship. While we encourage Spectrum recipients to have selected and confirmed acceptance to a graduate program by June 30th, scholarship recipients have until the date of their first scholarship installment (September) to enroll in their graduate program.
Q. If I have already started library school, am I still eligible to apply for Spectrum?
Yes, provided you have not completed more than 1/3rd of the credit requirements toward your degree by June 1st. For example, if your library school program is 36 credits, you should not have completed more than 12 (12 or less) credits by June 1st in order to be awarded a Spectrum Scholarship.
Q. I have completed more than 1/3rd of the credit requirements toward my MLS/MLIS/MIS, am I eligible for any ALA Scholarships?
Yes. You are eligible for the following scholarships: the AASL School Librarian’s Workshop Scholarship, the ALA New Members Round Table/EBSCO Scholarship, and the ASCLA Century Scholarship. Visit the ALA Scholarship website (www.ala.org/scholarships) for links to more information on each of these scholarships.
Q. I am looking to obtain an undergraduate degree in library and information science; does the ALA provide any scholarships toward undergraduate work?
No. At this time, the American Library Association does not offer any scholarships for undergraduate work and there is no agency that accredits undergraduate or associates programs in library and information science.
Q. I am working toward my Ph.D. in library and information science, am I eligible for a Spectrum Scholarship?
Not at this time. The ALA Office for Diversity, in conjunction the Spectrum Advisory Council, is fundraising to establish a doctoral fellowship. In the meantime, the ASCLA Century Scholarship is currently the only scholarship from the American Library Association that can be used toward a Ph.D. program. Visit www.ala.org/scholarships for a link to more information on this particular scholarship.
Q. Where can I find more information on the Spectrum Scholarship Program?
Visit www.ala.org/spectrum. Please contact the Office for Diversity at 1.800.545.2433 ext. 5048 with additional inquiries, or email spectrum@ala.org.
Q. How do I apply for a Spectrum Scholarship?
Applications for the Spectrum Scholarship, and all scholarships from the American Library Association must be submitted on the online application form. The link to the online application form can be found at www.ala.org/scholarships.
Q. When is the deadline to apply for a Spectrum Scholarship?
A completed application, including all online portions and mailed transcript(s), must be received by March 1st.
Q. What will I need to do before beginning an online application?
You are encouraged to read the eligibility requirements and scholarship information for each scholarship you’re interested in before beginning your online application. You will be asked to create a login the first time you access the online application form. Your login will consist of an email address and password. Be sure to write down the email address and password you supply when creating your login. This login will allow you to access and complete your online application over time. Applicants are encouraged to begin the online application process as early as possible so that they may review the application components. After you have completed all required portions, the option to “Submit Application” will appear at the bottom of your online application form. You must hit the Submit Application option before March 1st for your application to be considered. While the login allows you plenty of opportunity to review and edit your application overtime, please be sure that you have completed your application to your satisfaction before hitting submit.
Q. Can I have a paper application?
Paper applications are reserved for individuals with disabilities; all other applicants should submit applications via the online form. If you would like to arrange accommodations for a Spectrum Scholarship application, please contact the Office for Diversity at 1.800.545.2433 ext 5048.
Q. What items are required for a complete application?
A completed application consists of 1) submitted online application form, 2) personal statement (included in online application form), 3) three (3) professional references submitted on the online form, 4) an official transcript from the institution where you completed the bachelor’s degree mailed to the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse.
Q. Do I need to submit a personal statement? If so, what should be included in it?
Applicants will be asked to include a personal statement as part of the online application. If you are applying for more than one scholarship from the American Library Association, you may be asked to submit more than one personal statement and you will be alerted during the online application process as to what statements are required to complete your application. Your Spectrum Scholarship personal statement should describe why you want to be a librarian and how your personal, educational and professional experiences will help you to be an effective librarian in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and diverse society. The statement should consist of not more than 300 words. You should also indicate what specific competencies or characteristics you believe you have to offer the field of librarianship, what you can bring to the profession, and in particular what you have done which indicates your potential for leadership and service to underserved communities, finally, describe your career goals and your commitment to library and information science.
Q. Do I need to submit any references?
Three (3) completed online reference forms are required. Once you begin the application process, you will be given an Applicant ID Number. You should supply your Application ID Number and the link to the online reference form (https://www.ala.org/apps/scholarships/login/reference.cfm) to three professional references. Professional references are individuals (professors, supervisors, professional mentors, etc. excluding family) that are well acquainted with your educational background, intellectual abilities, professional experience, and personal character. They will be expected to complete the reference form online. Be sure to provide your reference with your Applicant ID Number to help ensure their recommendation is properly considered alongside your application. An application will not be considered complete unless all three references are submitted by March 1st.
Q. Do I need to submit any transcripts?
An official transcript is required from the bachelor’s degree-granting institution. Only one copy of the transcript is required, regardless of the number of ALA scholarships you apply for. Transcripts for master's level work are not required but may be submitted for consideration. All transcripts must be received by March 1st. They should be placed in sealed envelopes and mailed to: The ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611.
Q. How will I know my application is complete?
Applicants can call the Office for Diversity at 1.800.545.2433 ext 5048 after submitting the online portions of their application (application, personal statement and references) to confirm the application has been properly received. Applicants are encouraged to mail the required transcript into the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse well in advance (please note the deadline is for receipt of the transcript, not postmarking) of the March 1st deadline. The Office for Diversity will attempt to verify the receipt of transcripts for all applicants making inquiries in advance of the deadline. If you are mailing a transcript express mail close to the deadline date, registered mail is highly recommended so that you have proof of receipt. Due to the heavy of volume of mail the last two weeks of February, the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse is unable to verify transcript receipt during these dates. Applicants are encouraged to follow-up with the Office for Diversity after March 11th but no later than March 20th to ensure their materials were received and that their application will be forwarded to the Spectrum Jury for review.
Q. Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time?
Yes. The online application was designed to allow applicants to apply for multiple scholarships at once. Please review the ALA Scholarship Program website (www.ala.org/scholarships) thoroughly and explore the links to the various scholarships available from the American Library Association before beginning your online application. Once you have begun your online application you will be asked to select which scholarships for which you’d like to be considered. We encourage Spectrum applicants to also apply, at minimum, for the ALA General Scholarships and strongly encourage you to apply for any scholarship whose eligibility requirements you meet.
Q. Who should I contact with additional questions?
Please feel free to contact the Office for Diversity at 1.800.545.2433 ext. 5048 with any questions you may have before, during or after undertaking the application process! We look forward to your application and welcome your input.
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