Frequently Asked Questions

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ME?
Yes! Start the application process early. We recommend you not wait until the last days or even a week before the deadline. The committee requires 24 hours to process your application, so waiting too long may jeopardize your eligibility. You will also need plenty of time to ensure your reference letters and transcripts arrive before the due date. Remember, the people you are depending on to provide supplemental materials may not have the same sense of urgency about the application that you do. The committee may also have questions that need to be resolved before your application can move through the process. The best thing you can do is to get your application and supplementary materials in a timely manner.

WHAT IS CONSIDERED AN "OFFICIAL" TRANSCRIPT?
An official transcript is a sealed, certified copy of your transcript from your school's registrar’s office. GRADE REPORTS AND LETTERS FROM PROFESSORS ARE NOT CONSIDERED OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS. We suggest that you request your transcript early and that you monitor the status of your request. If you have attended multiple schools, we must receive a transcript from each one. Remember, if your transcripts are not received by the closing date, you will not be eligible to receive a scholarship. Unfortunately, we cannot make any exceptions to this policy.

Some schools can deliver transcripts electronically. In most cases, we can accept e-transcripts that come directly from the school. If you have a question about receiving an e-transcript you should contact the committee. A PDF of your transcript that you or a parent provides is NOT considered an e-transcript and cannot be accepted.  It is your responsibility to monitor your application for receipt of all transcripts.


WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SEND MY TRANSCRIPT?
The best way to send your transcripts is to have them delivered via FedEx, UPS, or USPS. Be sure to get a TRACKING NUMBER. Without tracking information, we cannot verify that we received the documents. You can also deliver them in person, but you will deliver them to a business office. We will only be able to receive them during working hours. The same is true for mail delivery. Remember, we must RECEIVE your documents prior to the closing date and time. Even if they are postmarked by the due date but not received by the noon cutoff, they will not be accepted.

Pro Tip: When you order your transcripts, have one sent to your home address as well. That way you will know when it is delivered and you will have an extra copy in case there is a problem. Don't forget that in order for a transcript to be considered official, the school seal cannot be broken.


CAN I SUBMIT MY TRANSCRIPT BEFORE I COMPLETE THE APPLICATION?
Yes! We highly recommend that you request your transcripts and references early. We can receive the transcript at any time. References must be submitted through our electronic system, so we urge you to complete your application as soon after the opening date as possible.

CAN MY PARENTS COMPLETE MY APPLICATION?
NO - It is the expectation of the committee that the student who is applying for the scholarship will complete the application and take care of providing us with the required documentation.

WHAT IF I CAN'T ATTEND THE INTERVIEW?
The scholarship interview is required and must take place during the official interview session. If you cannot attend the interview, you will not be eligible to receive a scholarship.  Interviews are held the Saturday before Easter every year. The time allotted for interviews is generally between 7:30 am and 5:30 pm. The exact times depend on the number of qualified applicants.

We understand that sometimes there are schedule constraints. With that in mind, you can request a specific time or time of day for your interview. It is important that you make your request as early in the process as possible. While times cannot be guaranteed, the committee will make every effort to honor all requests. 


WHAT HAPPENS IF ONE OF MY REFERENCES DOESN'T SUBMIT THEIR LETTER?
If we do not receive three (3) reference letters, we will not be able to process your application. We recommend that you have individuals that can be used as a backup and that you monitor the receipt of your letters. Do not wait until the last minute to request a substitute reference.

WHO CAN BE MY SPONSOR?
Your sponsor must be a family member.
The Pipeliners Association of Houston defines a relative as a parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, sibling, or spouse. He or she must be an active member of PAH and meet all the other sponsorship criteria.

WHAT ARE THE SPONSOR ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS?
In addition to being a relative of the applicant, sponsors must be a member in good standing for at least two consecutive club years preceding the application. They must also have attended at least six (6) PAH meetings or events in the previous calendar year (January-December).  Proof of attendance must be verified through the official Scholarship Attendance Application while at the event. Unfortunately, there are absolutely no exceptions to this policy.


WHAT SHOULD BE IN MY REFERENCE LETTER?
No two reference letters are exactly alike. References often include information on how they perceive motivation, character, and potential. Those writing the letter often mention their relationship to the applicant and why they think they should be considered for the scholarship. We encourage the applicant and the person writing the reference to take this step seriously. 


WHO SHOULD I ASK FOR REFERENCES?
There are no hard and fast rules for whom you may ask to provide references, but they should be people who know you well in a personal, professional, or educational capacity. The point is that they can shed light on your personality and character. People you have worked for, professors, leaders of volunteer groups, coaches, and pastors are all good choices. We do not accept references from family members or relatives, and we do not recommend you use casual friends and associates from social organizations unless there is a compelling reason to do so. 

Pro Tip: Give the people you will be requesting a reference from a heads up that you would like to use them as a reference. Tell them to watch for an email from The Pipeliners Association of Houston and that the request is time-sensitive.

CAN I EDIT MY APPLICATION?
Yes! You can edit your application. To do that, though, you will need your login credentials.

Once you click the “Save & Continue” button on the application’s first page, the system will email the address you provided. This email will contain your login credentials. You will need this information to return to your application. Below the login information is a link to the entry page. Please note that once you have started your application, you must click on the box for “Access Existing 2023 PAH Scholarship Application.” You do not need to create a new application. When you complete your submission, you will receive a confirmation email from the system. This email will also contain your login information. We recommend you put your credentials where you can find them if you need them. If, for some reason, you never receive the email or you cannot locate it, email scholarship@houstonpipeliners.net and we will resend the email.

WHERE DOES THE MONEY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPS COME FROM?
The money available for the annual scholarship distribution comes from the profit generated from our five (5) key fundraising events: the Spring and Fall Golf tournaments, the Spring and Fall Clay Shoots, and the Fish Out. Because attendance at each event depends on many factors, the amount of money available to dedicate to scholarships varies yearly.
 

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE HOW MUCH TO AWARD EACH STUDENT?
The amount awarded to eligible students depends on many factors. Elements considered by the committee include personal interviews, the information provided on the application, academic performance, and written recommendations. The scholarship applicants are ranked according to the mentioned criteria.  The scholarship applicant's ranking and the amount of money available to distribute determine each applicant’s scholarship.


CAN I APPLY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF MY AWARD TO ONE SEMESTER?
No, your award must be split between the Fall and Spring semesters. If you decide to graduate in December rather than May, half the funds will be refunded to The Pipeliners Association of Houston. We will send the full scholarship amount to the school you indicated on your application. The school will apply your award equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Updated 02/08/2023