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Hutton Honors College

 —  HIEP Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility Application Material Selective Scholarships F.A.Q. Essays & Photos Options HIEP Home more!

    Applying:

  1. I don't have my program acceptance letter. Should I still turn in my application?
  2. When should I hear the acceptance status of my application?
  3. It is past the HIEP grant deadline. Can I still apply?
  4. Where should I submit my application materials?
  5. How do I calculate my major GPA?
  6. What is the essay question?
  7. What is a duplex copy?

    Letters of Recommendation:

  8. Where should my faculty recommender send their letter?
  9. How can I tell if my recommender is faculty?
  10. What should my faculty recommender say about me in the letter?

    Qualifying:

  11. Are these grants only for Hutton Honors students?
  12. I graduate in May. Can I still apply for a grant to use on a summer program?
  13. I do not meet the GPA criteria for Hutton Honors Grants. Are exceptions ever made to this policy?
  14. My travel abroad is for an independent project or service/internship work. Can I apply for an HIEP grant?
  15. I already received a Hutton International Experiences Program Grant in a prior semester. Can I apply for it again?

    Award Money:

  16. How are grants disbursed?
  17. I was awarded a grant but I do not see it on my Bursar account. How long will it take for me to receive the funds?
  18. Can I have my refund check sent to a different address?
  19. How much are the HIEP awards?
  20. Why didn't I get the award?

  21. Contact

  1. I don't have my program acceptance letter. Should I still turn in my application?
    Yes. Most students do not receive their letter of acceptance to their overseas study program until after the grant deadline. Turn in your application on time and send in a copy of the acceptance letter as soon as you receive it.
  2. When should I hear the acceptance status of my application?
    Within 6 weeks after the grant deadline.
  3. It is past the HIEP grant deadline. Can I still apply?
    No. Once the deadline passes, you cannot apply for that awarding cycle.
  4. Where should I submit my application materials?
    You may submit your application materials either in-person or by campus mail to: Hutton Honors College, Attn: HIEP Grants, 811 E. 7th St., Bloomington, IN 47405
  5. How do I calculate my major GPA?
    To calculate your major GPA, make a list of the classes you've taken to satisfy requirements for your major, the credit hours of each, and your grade in each. Then go to the IU GPA Calculator at http://registrar.indiana.edu/stu_grades.shtml. You may wish to meet with your academic advisor to verify your major GPA.
  6. What is the essay question?
    In a 350-500 word essay, please describe your proposed international experience. Be sure to answer the following three questions: 1) Why do you want to undertake it? 2) How will it contribute to your academic and/or professional growth? 3) Why do you deserve this award? (Note: If you are not participating in an organized or sponsored program, but plan to do research, service, or another travel activity independently, you must make a strong case for the academic, service, or professional value of your proposed activity.)
  7. What is a duplex copy?
    Duplex copies are two-sided front & back print-outs. It does not mean to print out two copies. For intsructions on how to print duplex copies, please click here
  8. Where should my faculty recommender send their letter?
    Your faculty recommender may send an e-mail to hiep[at]indiana[dot]edu. Alternatively, they may send a letter to: Hutton Honors College, Attn: HIEP Grants, 811 E. 7th St., Bloomington, IN 47405
  9. How can I tell if my recommender is faculty?
    Your recommendation must come from a Faculty member as defined by Indiana University. To verify their status, go to the IUB Address Book and locate your recommender. Their status must say "Faculty" under "Affiliation."
  10. What should my faculty recommender say about me in the letter?
    The faculty recommender should answer the following questions about the applicant and his/her plans:
    1. How long and how well and in what context do you know the applicant?
    2. Have you discussed the applicant's plans?
    3. Are the applicant's expense estimates realistic?
    4. How will the proposed international experiences contribute to the applicant's academic, professional and/or personal growth?
    5. If the proposal includes independent activities, does the applicant have the intellectual and personal maturity for a successful journey?
    6. In your estimate, what is the single most compelling reason the Honors College should make this award to this applicant?
    7. Recommenders may add any comments deemed appropriate.
  11. Are these grants only for Hutton Honors students?
    No. Preference is given to Hutton Honors and Hudson & Holland students, but any IUB undergraduate that meets the qualifications should apply.
  12. I graduate in May. Can I still apply for a grant to use on a summer program?
    No. You must hold an undergraduate status for the entire term you intend to use the grant. If you would like to be eligible for the grant you need to push back your official graduation date with the Registrar's office.
  13. I do not meet the GPA criteria for Hutton Honors Grants. Are exceptions ever made to this policy?
    No. You must meet the GPA criteria at the time of applying for an award. GPA's are not rounded up, so even if you have a 3.399, you will still not be eligible to apply.
  14. My travel abroad is for an independent project or service/internship work. Can I apply for an HIEP grant?
    Yes. As long as your trip abroad is for an educational purpose and a faculty member supports your reason for travel, you should apply for an HIEP grant.
  15. I already received a Hutton International Experiences Program Grant in a prior semester. Can I apply for it again?
    No. Students who have previously received an HIEP award are not eligible to receive another HIEP award. All HIEP awards are one-time-only. EXCEPTIONS: Funding currently allows you to apply for the HIEP grant a second time if:
    1. if you were in the Kelley School of Business BUS G-256 Emerging Economies class.
    2. if you were in the Kelley School of Business BUS P-255 Business in a Flat World class.
    Please review the many other grants offered at Hutton Honors College by clicking     here to see if your planned experience meets the qualifications for another award.
  16. How are grants disbursed?
    Grants are deposited into your Bursar account. They are applied to any outstanding balances, then disbursed to you by way of direct deposit or refund check. Checks are mailed to your current address.
  17. I was awarded a grant but I do not see it on my Bursar account. How long will it take for me to receive the funds?
    Funds will not show on your bursar account until a week before the start of the term at IU. You may be able to see the grant as expected financial aid on your account. If the semester has started and it has been 2 weeks since signing for your award, please do contact us and we will look into the status for you. You can review additional information on bursar refund policies at their web site.
  18. Can I have my refund check sent to a different address?
    Yes. You need to change your current address with the Registrar's office to the new address. You may also consider setting up direct deposit.
  19. How much are the HIEP awards?
    HIEP awards range from $500 to $2500. The amounts are based on a total combination of GPA, essay, strength of recommendation, destination, and duration of overseas program. There is a preference for students studying abroad for a semester or a year, as well as for students going to non-traditional destinations (ie. Africa, Oceania, Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East.
  20. Why didn't I get the award?
    We always receive more applications than we can afford to fund. Each application is carefully examined and decisions are based on merit. Some common reasons for denial include the following:
    1. incomplete application
    2. below GPA requirement
    3. not submitting all of the required forms and material
    4. weak essay
    5. not following instructions
    6. late application
    7. having a non-faculty recommender
  21. Contact:
    If you do not see your question and answer above, please contact us at hiep[at]indiana[dot]edu or call (812) 856-1016

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