Frequently Asked Questions « The Albert Baker Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have a question?

Please read all of the questions and answers provided on this page. If you have a question we haven’t yet answered, use this contact form to submit your question. We will respond as soon as possible and then add your question to our FAQs. Thank you!

General Questions

FAQs Specific to our College, Graduate and Vocational Education Program

General Questions

1. How do I apply for financial aid from The Albert Baker Fund?: We fund several types of education and each program has its own application requirements. You can find them all on our Scholarship & Loans page.
If you are applying for college, graduate or vocational funding you will need to read the instructions, gather the required documents, contact your referees and complete your application online. Please see our program page for application deadlines and further information.
2. Why don’t you fund students attending college in another country?: We occasionally fund students studying abroad who are primarily enrolled in a U.S. or Canadian school or where any foreign credit transfers are accepted. We are a needs based organization and studying abroad is rarely necessary for acquiring a degree.
3. What is the best way to communicate with ABF?: If we have not addressed your issue online, we invite you to submit your question to ABF staff using the contact form to the right.

FAQs Specific to our College, Graduate and Vocational Education Program

4. If I only want a scholarship, why do I have to submit information for a loan?

Each financial aid award (loan, grant or both as a package) is decided by our CEO and North American Program Manager after thorough review of an individual application. Most awards include both a grant and a loan.

5. What are the technical requirements of applying online?

You will need to have access to the Internet, a valid email address (no .edu or .net addresses since our system will not recognize you) and possibly a scanner.

6. What Internet browsers support ABF’s online application?

Chrome, Firefox and Safari (Mac/PC) best support our online system, but it can also be accessed through Opera or Internet Explorer 8.

7. How do I register?

These instructions are your complete guide to our application process. Please read them carefully.

8. What if I did not receive a “Login Activation Email”?

If the Login Activation Email is not in your Inbox or Spam/Junk folder, please send an email with your name to admin@albertbakerfund.org.

9. What if I forget my login information?

Request a password reset by emailing the full name you registered with to admin@albertbakerfund.org.

10. Can I save my application and come back to it later?

Yes you can. Scroll down to the last field in your application and select “Create and save my application. I will complete it later.” and then click “Submit.” Please note this will not submit your application for review. When you are ready to submit your application for review, change that last field to “Submit my completed application for review.” and then click “Submit.”

11. I don’t understand some of the questions on the application form; how can I get more help?

Most of the questions found on the application form provide “Help Text.” To view the “Help Text,” hover your mouse over the orange question mark image and a detailed explanation for that question will appear in a yellow box.
For further assistance email your application number and your question to admin@albertbakerfund.org.

12. Where do I attach my documents?

The Attachments Section is directly below your online application form. You can add and delete attachments any time before submitting your application by clicking the “Attach File” button.
You cannot delete files after you’ve submitted your application to ABF for review.

13. How do I attach reference letters?

All reference letters must be submitted online by your referee. Please refer to the Required Documents section of the Application Instructions for complete directions on referral submission.

14. How do I complete the Self-Certification Form (SCF)?

We understand that federal paperwork can be confusing, but this document merely forces you to calculate your financial gap.

2a: The total of your tuition, books and accommodation.
2b: The estimated total of any financial assistance you will be receiving.
2c: The remainder is your total financial gap.

15. How do I know if my referee has submitted a referral?

You will automatically receive a notification email each time a referral has been submitted. However, it may take up to two business days for ABF Staff to ensure that the referee has completed all fields and to “Accept” the referral.
You can see if a referral has been accepted by logging in, going to the “Referrals” tab and selecting “Accepted Referrals.” You can see which referees have submitted referrals, but you cannot view the content of a referee’s letter, which is confidential.

16. Can I add information or comments to my application beyond what is requested?

Yes you can. The third section below the online application form is called “Financial Aid Application Comments.” Click “Add Comment,” to type or copy/paste your text in.

17. How do I know when I am ready to submit?

You are ready to submit when you have completed all fields in the application form, attached all required documents, and have the required number of accepted referrals attached to your application.
Once you have gathered all of the required information, scroll to the last field on the application form and select “Submit my completed application for review.” and click “Submit.”
Your application will be set to “read only.” No further changes can be made while your application is being reviewed by ABF Staff.

18. Can I make changes to my application after submitting it to ABF?

No, you cannot. Once you have submitted your application for review it is “read only” and no further changes can be made.
Petitions to make changes to your application after it has been submitted must be made directly to ABF by emailing admin@albertbakerfund.org.

19. How much time do I have to complete my online application?

You should be aware of three time constraints when you first apply:

Login Expiration: Your Login Access duration is 60 days from the first time you log in. After 60 days your Login Access will expire.
Login Activity: If you leave the application open and inactive for longer than 40 minutes, you run the risk of losing any entered information.
Submission Deadline Date: Regardless of the duration of your Login Access, ABF will not accept applications submitted after a submission deadline.