QuestBridge: Educator FAQs

There are many benefits for students in applying to QuestBridge. The most obvious is our College Match Program, through which low-income students can gain admission and full, four-year scholarships to our 15 College Match partner schools. These comprehensive scholarships eliminate the need for student loans and parental contributions. Last year, 46 students matched at one of our partner schools and receive full, four-year scholarships. An additional 284 students gained admissions and received generous financial aid packages through this program as well.

Other opportunities through QuestBridge include internships, other partial scholarships, and many more opportunities spanning all four years of a student's college experience, helping students afford college, and get as much out of college as possible.

2. How do I refer a student to apply to QuestBridge?

Referring students to QuestBridge is easy. Go to the QuestBridge website and select the link on the top menu bar called "Refer a Student." Here you will be able to tell us your name and contact information as well as the name and contact information for the student you are referring.

3. My family is not low-income, but you sent a letter inviting my child to apply to QuestBridge. How did you receive my child's name and why did you choose to mail to us?

Most likely, we received your child's name from the College Board or ACT as a student who received a high score on the SAT, PSAT or ACT. Unfortunately, the College Board only provides information on a student's academics and not their family income. Because of that, we know your child is very academically talented, but we don't know whether your child comes from a low-income family. We are very sorry for the inconvenience, and we hope that you or your child takes this opportunity to refer a student who is qualified for QuestBridge opportunities.

4. Does it cost anything to apply to QuestBridge, or do any of your services have fees attached?

The QuestBridge application process and all of QuestBridge's services are completely free of cost to students and their families.

5. Do you have opportunities for students from families that are not low-income?

QuestBridge opportunities are specifically geared toward low-income students. However, some of the scholarships and other programs that we partner with are not as concerned with financial need. These opportunities include the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and communications internships through the Emma Bowen Foundation. Please explore our website to learn more about other QuestBridge opportunities.

It is important to note, however, that the QuestBridge College Match is specifically for low-income students. Our partner colleges hope to provide low-income students with the scholarships they need in order to attend top-notch colleges and universities.

1. When are teacher recommendations due?

Teacher and counselor recommendations for the QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship are due on March 31, 2007 at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

2. Can I mail in a recommendation, or do I have to submit it by fax?

Please submit your recommendation via fax using the QuestBridge cover sheet containing your name and your student’s name. The barcode on the cover sheet allows us to record and confirm receipt of your recommendation.

3. My student asked me to write a recommendation, but I have not received a recommendation form or a QuestBridge fax cover sheet.

Please remind your student to register you as a recommender on his or her online application. The student can then download recommendation materials to print out and give to you.

1. How do I know if my student or child should apply to QuestBridge?

If you have a high-achieving student or child from a low-income family, the student should apply to QuestBridge. QuestBridge has no absolute income cut-offs for students to qualify. During the 2005-2006 season, finalists for the College Match had family incomes ranging from $0 to $85,000 per year. QuestBridge looks at many different factors when assessing a student's financial need, including the total family income, household size, and any extenuating circumstances, such as high medical costs not covered by insurance.

2. Where can I find the application?

QuestBridge has an online application. Please visit our Application page for the link to our College Prep Scholarship application and for more information about applying. The application period for the 2006-2007 College Match program has ended.

3. When is the application due?

College Prep Scholarship applications are due on March 31, 2007 by 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

4. For the income section of the application, are you looking for family income before taxes or after taxes?

Please provide us with your pre-tax income.

5. How can I best help my student or child in the application process?

If you are a parent, you can help your child fill out the application by providing him or her with accurate and up-to-date information regarding your family's educational background, occupations, and income. In addition, please keep your recent W2s and tax returns handy; if your child is selected as a finalist, we will need you to submit copies of these forms. Finally, give your child lots of support. The QuestBridge application is long and challenging, but it is very important as it is used by our partner colleges to make admissions decisions.

If you are a teacher, please help your student by writing a detailed recommendation. You can see our tips on writing strong recommendations in our Educator Resource section. In addition, offer to read over your student's essays and give any other advice and support that you are able to provide. The QuestBridge application is long and challenging, but it is very important as it is used by our partner colleges to make admissions decisions.

6. Do students need to submit official transcripts with their application?

For the purposes of submitting a College Prep Scholarship application, we only require that students fill out a self-reported transcript. However, for students who receive awards, we will request that their schools send us an official transcript.

1. How do I find out more information about the colleges that you are partnered with?

For information about our partner colleges, please see our partner schools web page.

2. What do you mean by full, four-year scholarship? Does that mean it covers tuition only or all expenses?

Full scholarships awarded through the College Match cover the full cost of tuition and the full cost of room and board. In some cases, the scholarships also cover the costs of books and health insurance. Some colleges also provide students with work-study campus jobs that allow students to earn money to cover the cost of travel and personal expenses. In all cases, the College Match Scholarships ensure that students and parents do not need to take out any loans, and parents are not expected to make any financial contributions to their child's college education. Please visit our College Match Scholarship page to see the details of each school's scholarship package.

3. How many scholarships will be awarded this year?

We hope to pair more than 90 students with College Match Scholarships in the 2006 season. Additionally, we hope to pair 500 students with very generous financial aid packages at one of our 15 partner schools.

There is no guarantee by applying to QuestBridge, nor by being selected as a finalist, that you will gain admission to one of our partner colleges. Our college partners are not obligated to admitting a specific or predetermined number of applicants.

For a better understanding about your chances of gaining admission and financial aid through the QuestBridge College Match Program, please visit our page summarizing last year's acceptance rates and qualifications.

For more information about the College Prep Scholarship awards for high school juniors, please read the award descriptions on the College Prep Scholarship page.


Home National College Match College Prep Scholarship Resource Center Refer a Student About Us
Home National College Match College Prep Scholarship Student Resource Center For Educators Quest Educator Network Application Information Resources Join Our Mailing List FAQ Refer A Student About Us	Frequently Asked Questions for Parents QuestBridge is committed to helping low income students achieve their full potential at some of the nation's finest universities. Listed below are many of the questions we've encountered over the past years. Simply follow the links to our answers to these frequently asked questions. If you still find your question unanswered, please visit our Student FAQ webpage or reach us through our contact page. Index of Questions Please click on the question to view its answer. General Questions What is the benefit of having my student or child apply to QuestBridge? How do I refer a student to apply to QuestBridge? My family is not low-income, but you sent a letter inviting my child to apply to QuestBridge. How did you receive my child's name and why did you choose to mail to us? Does it cost anything to apply to QuestBridge, or do any of your services have fees attached? Do you have opportunities for students from families that are not low-income? Teacher and Counselor Recommendation Letters When are teacher recommendations due? Can I mail in a recommendation, or do I have to submit it by fax? My student asked me to write a recommendation, but I have not received a recommendation form or a QuestBridge fax cover sheet. Application Questions How do I know if my student or child should apply to QuestBridge? Where can I find the application? When is the application due? For the income section of the application, are you looking for family income before taxes or after taxes? How can I best help my student or child in the application process? Do students need to submit official transcripts with their application? The QuestBridge College Match How do I find out more information about the colleges that you are partnered with? What do you mean by full, four-year scholarship? Does that mean it covers tuition only or all expenses? How many scholarships will be awarded this year? General Questions 1. What is the benefit of having my student or child apply to QuestBridge? There are many benefits for students in applying to QuestBridge. The most obvious is our College Match Program, through which low-income students can gain admission and full, four-year scholarships to our 15 College Match partner schools. These comprehensive scholarships eliminate the need for student loans and parental contributions. Last year, 46 students matched at one of our partner schools and receive full, four-year scholarships. An additional 284 students gained admissions and received generous financial aid packages through this program as well. Other opportunities through QuestBridge include internships, other partial scholarships, and many more opportunities spanning all four years of a student's college experience, helping students afford college, and get as much out of college as possible. 2. How do I refer a student to apply to QuestBridge? Referring students to QuestBridge is easy. Go to the QuestBridge website and select the link on the top menu bar called "Refer a Student." Here you will be able to tell us your name and contact information as well as the name and contact information for the student you are referring. 3. My family is not low-income, but you sent a letter inviting my child to apply to QuestBridge. How did you receive my child's name and why did you choose to mail to us? Most likely, we received your child's name from the College Board or ACT as a student who received a high score on the SAT, PSAT or ACT. Unfortunately, the College Board only provides information on a student's academics and not their family income. Because of that, we know your child is very academically talented, but we don't know whether your child comes from a low-income family. We are very sorry for the inconvenience, and we hope that you or your child takes this opportunity to refer a student who is qualified for QuestBridge opportunities. 4. Does it cost anything to apply to QuestBridge, or do any of your services have fees attached? The QuestBridge application process and all of QuestBridge's services are completely free of cost to students and their families. 5. Do you have opportunities for students from families that are not low-income? QuestBridge opportunities are specifically geared toward low-income students. However, some of the scholarships and other programs that we partner with are not as concerned with financial need. These opportunities include the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and communications internships through the Emma Bowen Foundation. Please explore our website to learn more about other QuestBridge opportunities. It is important to note, however, that the QuestBridge College Match is specifically for low-income students. Our partner colleges hope to provide low-income students with the scholarships they need in order to attend top-notch colleges and universities. Teacher and Counselor Recommendation Letters 1. When are teacher recommendations due? Teacher and counselor recommendations for the QuestBridge College Prep Scholarship are due on March 31, 2007 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. 2. Can I mail in a recommendation, or do I have to submit it by fax? Please submit your recommendation via fax using the QuestBridge cover sheet containing your name and your student’s name. The barcode on the cover sheet allows us to record and confirm receipt of your recommendation. 3. My student asked me to write a recommendation, but I have not received a recommendation form or a QuestBridge fax cover sheet. Please remind your student to register you as a recommender on his or her online application. The student can then download recommendation materials to print out and give to you. Application Questions 1. How do I know if my student or child should apply to QuestBridge? If you have a high-achieving student or child from a low-income family, the student should apply to QuestBridge. QuestBridge has no absolute income cut-offs for students to qualify. During the 2005-2006 season, finalists for the College Match had family incomes ranging from $0 to $85,000 per year. QuestBridge looks at many different factors when assessing a student's financial need, including the total family income, household size, and any extenuating circumstances, such as high medical costs not covered by insurance. 2. Where can I find the application? QuestBridge has an online application. Please visit our Application page for the link to our College Prep Scholarship application and for more information about applying. The application period for the 2006-2007 College Match program has ended. 3. When is the application due? College Prep Scholarship applications are due on March 31, 2007 by 11:59 PM Pacific Time. 4. For the income section of the application, are you looking for family income before taxes or after taxes? Please provide us with your pre-tax income. 5. How can I best help my student or child in the application process? If you are a parent, you can help your child fill out the application by providing him or her with accurate and up-to-date information regarding your family's educational background, occupations, and income. In addition, please keep your recent W2s and tax returns handy; if your child is selected as a finalist, we will need you to submit copies of these forms. Finally, give your child lots of support. The QuestBridge application is long and challenging, but it is very important as it is used by our partner colleges to make admissions decisions. If you are a teacher, please help your student by writing a detailed recommendation. You can see our tips on writing strong recommendations in our Educator Resource section. In addition, offer to read over your student's essays and give any other advice and support that you are able to provide. The QuestBridge application is long and challenging, but it is very important as it is used by our partner colleges to make admissions decisions. 6. Do students need to submit official transcripts with their application? For the purposes of submitting a College Prep Scholarship application, we only require that students fill out a self-reported transcript. However, for students who receive awards, we will request that their schools send us an official transcript. The QuestBridge College Match 1. How do I find out more information about the colleges that you are partnered with? For information about our partner colleges, please see our partner schools web page. 2. What do you mean by full, four-year scholarship? Does that mean it covers tuition only or all expenses? Full scholarships awarded through the College Match cover the full cost of tuition and the full cost of room and board. In some cases, the scholarships also cover the costs of books and health insurance. Some colleges also provide students with work-study campus jobs that allow students to earn money to cover the cost of travel and personal expenses. In all cases, the College Match Scholarships ensure that students and parents do not need to take out any loans, and parents are not expected to make any financial contributions to their child's college education. Please visit our College Match Scholarship page to see the details of each school's scholarship package. 3. How many scholarships will be awarded this year? We hope to pair more than 90 students with College Match Scholarships in the 2006 season. Additionally, we hope to pair 500 students with very generous financial aid packages at one of our 15 partner schools. There is no guarantee by applying to QuestBridge, nor by being selected as a finalist, that you will gain admission to one of our partner colleges. Our college partners are not obligated to admitting a specific or predetermined number of applicants. For a better understanding about your chances of gaining admission and financial aid through the QuestBridge College Match Program, please visit our page summarizing last year's acceptance rates and qualifications. For more information about the College Prep Scholarship awards for high school juniors, please read the award descriptions on the College Prep Scholarship page.
2005 Quest Scholars Help Privacy Policy Terms of Use