frequently asked questions
This page answers some of the most often asked questions. While it is not all encompassing, we continuously strive to update this page to better serve you.
Updated August 2009
1. How does your scholarship program work?
You can read more about our scholarship program on our Scholarships page. You will also find complete instructions enclosed within the first two pages of our application.
2. Can I apply for a scholarship for my child to attend more than one school?
We accept the applications for one child attending one school at a time.
3. Do I get the Directress/Director to sign the scholarship form?
This is not a necessary step for a complete application.
4. Does your organization send the money directly to the school?
Yes. Upon the acceptance of the scholarship award, OMI will send a check directly to the school in the name of your child.
5. Does the school have to have a financial aid program already set up for my child to apply for the scholarship?
While this is preferable, it is not a requirement for application.6. How do I apply for a scholarship with OMI?
Go to our Scholarships page and download an application. You will need Adobe Reader in order to view the application.
7. How much does it cost to apply for a scholarship with OMI?
Our internal processing fee is $15.00. The fee to NAIS in order to complete the SSS process changes. Refer to the NAIS website for an updated fee schedule. The fee for the 2009-2010 academic year was $22.00.
The $15 fee to OMI is paid directly to OMI and sent with your application. The fee for NAIS is paid directly to them and a receipt of payment is required with your application.
8. Is a family required to re-apply to SSS when our school can provide a copy of the families SSS data processing to send to you?
No. Please speak with your head of school and ask them to forward the information to OMI at our PO Box.
9. Do you provide scholarships to International schools?
While it is our sincere goal, we unfortunately are not able to provide scholarships to families outside the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico at this time.
10. How does a school become qualified?
We do not ‘qualify’ schools. We simply call them to find out if they
are employing trained teachers who implement a three hour,
uninterrupted work cycle.
11. Does my child need to be enrolled before applying for a scholarship?
Your child must be accepted to the school but not enrolled.
12. If my application arrives after the deadline, can my child still be awarded a scholarship?
Our application deadline is firm. If your application is received after deadline of the current, open cycle, it will be deferred to the next cycle.
13. Do I have to reapply for a scholarship if my child has already received one for the previous school year?
A new and complete application is required for each funding cycle.
14. Can I apply for a scholarship for my child for each scholarship cycle?
Yes.
15. When will I know if my child has received a scholarship?
The Scholarship Committee reviews each application thoroughly and responds within 6 weeks of the application deadline.
16. Am I able to fill out one application for multiple children?
We require one complete application per child including the $15.00 application fee to OMI.
17. Do you have a list of Montessori schools that you currently work with to provide extra funding for parents?
We are not in the business of 'accepting' or 'rejecting' schools per say, rather we evaluate families needs and then discuss the relative strength of the program to sustain a relationship with our organization of mutual support
18. How many applications are awarded during each scholarship cycle?
The number of applications awarded in each cycle depends solely upon the amount of funds available and the evaluation of the identified program by our Pedagogical Advisor.
19. Why was OMI formed and when?
We formed the OMI in 2007 because of the lack of potential funding on a national scale for families.
20. How can I help OMI’s mission?
We are in need of technological support, fundraising assistance, and local partners in order to promote our grassroots mission. Please contact us directly if you are interested in volunteering.
Donations are always needed and very welcome. You can safely donate via the internet through Guidestar. Click here to make a tax deductible donation.
21. Do you want a copy of our whole tax return including all the various Schedules, or will just the few pages of the 1040 be sufficient?
We respectfully request a copy of the entire document unless you feel uncomfortable providing the information in total. We can only base our decisions on the information we receive and cannot demand full disclosure.
22. We have been offered some financial aid from our school of choice. Under "Total requested," do you want us to list the entire amount we need, including what the school has offered, or should we just enter the remaining portion that we are trying to cover?
We request the total amount needed to secure enrollment for your child at the school of your choice. It is at your discretion to determine the appropriate amount within our guidelines. Should you decide that further explanation is necessary regarding the amount requested, we have left the 'Unusual Circumstances' section as open as possible for individuals to describe their specific needs.
23. We have two children both attending a Montessori school next year. Should we fill out a separate Scholarship Application Summary for each of them?
See answer to question #16
24. How is your scholarship program funded?
Our organization is funded solely on the generosity of past recipients, donations, and a handful of benefactors.
Donations are always needed and very welcome. You can safely donate via the internet through Guidestar. Click here to make a tax deductible donation.
25. Are you a 501(c)3 organization?
Yes. We received our 501(c)3 status in May 2008. You may download a copy of our determination letter on our Home page.
26. Will our Montessori school accept the money from your organization?
Once your application is received, a member of the Scholarship Committee will contact the school to ensure that if money is awarded to your family then the school will designate it for that purpose.
27. How do I find a reputable Montessori school for my child?
You may either contact the North American Montessori Teacher’s Association or the Association Montessori Internationale.
28. Do you award scholarships to Montessori schools only or any private school?
The name says it all. We work with schools that attempt to implement the full vision of Dr. Montessori’s life work.
29. For what age range do you award scholarships?
Any and all as long as it is a Montessori school. (see above)
30. I would like to receive my Montessori training. Do you provide scholarships to adults?
Not at this time. You should contact the training center of your choice to discover if they offer assistance to students.
31. Do we have to pay back the money received?
No. We work the old fashioned way- we trust that if you believe what
you received was worth it, you will support us when you can- even if it
is at the end of time.
In addition, all scholarship funds are
awarded in whole to the school on behalf of the applicant to pay for
tuition for the designated school year. Each student must adhere to the
following conditions:
1. The recipient must attend the OMI
approved school for a minimum 3/4 of the school year or 7 ½ months,
whichever is greater in order to retain the full amount of the
scholarship award. If the school reports the recipient as having
officially withdrawn from the school prior to this period, the
recipient or the recipient’s financial guardian must return the
scholarship funds at a pro-rated rate from the time of official
withdrawal from the school.
2. All prior recipients are eligible to
re-apply for a scholarship with OMI given they are eligible for the
school’s program, have a letter of approval from the school, and are
attending an OMI approved school
3. OMI will make annual contact
with school administrators who have students attending on scholarship
for an update on the status of the student’s attendance. If the student
has met the attendance requirement, it will be noted in their file that
they are eligible for future scholarships. If the student has not met
the attendance requirement, OMI staff will attempt to contact the
student’s financial guardian for the return of any funds as determined
by the date of withdrawal from school. If, after two attempts, no
arrangements are made for repayment, OMI will attempt to regain funds
through legal collection agencies.
32. Can I submit my application electronically?
We do not accept electronically sent applications. We are working on it but do not have the funds available to utilize the technology.
Please mail you application to our office at: P.O. Box 88 Molalla, Oregon 97038
33. Do you have a school near me?
OMI is a non-profit 501(c)3 that supports families seeking a Montessori education. We are not a school nor do we own or operate any schools. In order to be eligible for a scholarship through OMI, your child(ren) must be actively enrolled in a Montessori program. It is our policy to provide scholarships, when funding is available, to any applicant attending a school with a Montessori program that is authentic and follows the guidelines of the Montessori philosophy. We do not discriminate regarding school affiliation (i.e. AMI, AMS). Please visit our Scholarships page to download a copy of our guidelines.
Once you have enrolled your child, you may download a copy of our scholarship application also found on our Scholarships page and mail it to OMI with the required paperwork by the next deadline. OMI runs two scholarship cycles per year: March 1 and September 1. We take scholarships on an ongoing basis and will place each application in its appropriate cycle.
34. Are scholarships for new students or do they have to be returning students?
We offer scholarship assistance to ANY student attending a Montessori school regardless of enrollment tenure.
35. How long does it take for a scholarship to be approved if submitted and accepted in the first cycle in the month of September?
Six weeks.
36. Can I fax my application?
We do not accept faxed applications.
Please mail you application to our office at: P.O. Box 88 Molalla, Oregon 97038
37. Is anyone eligible to apply for your scholarships, meaning do you have to live in Oregon?
We are a national organization and work in the United States, Canada, and Mexico as of the 2009-2010 school year.
38. If I was able to make the current cycle deadline, would I be at a disadvantage since my application would be submitted so late?
If your application is received prior to the 5 pm (PST) deadline, you are eligible to receive a scholarship award in that cycle. If your application is postmarked after the deadline, your application would be one of the first received for the next Cycle.
While any application received on time is eligible, due to limited funding, the awarding of applications may come down to the date received so it is highly recommended to get your application in as early as possible.
39. What is the possibility of being awarded a scholarship from your program? I assume you have many applicants.
We are currently experiencing a high number of applications. We try to serve the neediest families. As of this cycle (2009-2010), the probability of funding is less than 20%.
40. If I decide to withdraw my application for any reason, will OMI and NAIS refund my application fee?
OMI is unable to refund your $15.00 application fee. You will need to contact NAIS directly regarding their refund policy.
