Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Beta Sigma Psi Educational Foundation:

Q: How does the Educational Foundation choose scholarship recipients? Why don't you make sure each chapter gets the same amount of scholarships?
A: Scholarship recipients are chosen based on the criteria noted on each of the application forms: Academic Achievement, Campus Involvement and Financial Need. We consciously avoid considering a member's chapter in the selection process. To impose quotas would force us to select one person when a person at another chapter may be much more deserving of the scholarship based on the criteria. In a given year, one chapter may receive more scholarships than another. This is especially true of Financial Need scholarships. The demographics and costs of some universities are such that more students are in need of financial aid.

Q: Will I be more likely to get a scholarship if I participate in the Educational Foundation's phonathon?
A: Participation in the Educational Foundation's phonathon shows commitment to Beta Sigma Psi and can only help your chances of being selected for a scholarship. However, it is just one aspect. The specific criteria of each award are the primary consideration. The primary monetary reward for participation in the phonathon is the funds that are earned by the chapter for each alumni contact that is made.

Q: How do I apply for an Educational Foundation scholarship?
A: Scholarship application forms are typically distributed to the active chapters in January/February of each year. The applications are due on the date indicated on the forms, before summer break. Those selected to receive a scholarship will be notified shortly thereafter.

Q: How does my chapter apply for a grant from the Educational Foundation?
A: Simply fill out a grant application form found on the Educational Foundation forms page of the website. Follow the instructions carefully, and make sure you have all the proper approvals and other required paperwork in order. It is HIGHLY recommended you submit grant applications BEFORE you spend money for whatever you're requesting the grant, in case the amount you've requested is not available or the grant cannot be approved because it does not meet educational purpose guidelines.

Q: What sorts of items are eligible for a grant?
A: Generally anything which is primarily educational in nature. This would include computers for the chapter (not individuals), printers, computer network components, desks, chapter library or computer room construction, seminars and workshops, and scholarships. Items which are NOT eligible (to be conservative for the IRS) would include heating and cooling systems for a chapter house, plumbing, general construction and maintenance, furniture other than desks, kitchen equipment, and other items where there is no obvious direct educational benefit.

Q: Why has the phonathon historically been in St. Louis? Why don't we do it regionally so that more chapters can participate?
A: Over the years, the Educational Foundation had developed a very good relationship with Anheuser-Busch. Anheuser-Busch provided us the use of a conference room with at least 12 phones for the 3-4 nights of the event. We were not charged for the any of the long-distance telephone calls. If we were to have held this at any other site, the telephone charges alone would cost several thousand dollars -- nearly doubling the cost of the phonathon. While we would like for all chapters to have an opportunity to participate, we recognize that the primary goal of the phonathon is to raise money for the fraternity, and we believe the best way for us to achieve that goal was through that approach. In 2003, however, Anheuser-Busch decided to no longer allow us to use their facilities out of security concerns, causing us to find a new method of conducting the phonathon. Sprint has graciously donated the use of a dozen cell phones each year since 2003. We were not able to fully capitalize on the portability of the cell phones in 2003 and 2004, but beginning in 2005, we hope to conduct all of the calling sessions at the chapters themselves from now on.

Q: How are the dates for the phonathon picked? Do you involve the chapters in the decision?
A: When we were using the Anheuser-Busch facilities, the dates had to be coordinated with them and their use of their conference room. We also have to coordinate with the availability of the phones from Sprint. We try to squeeze it in between Homecomings and Thanksgiving. Once the week is selected, we then coordinate with the chapters as to which sessions work best for whom.

Q: I would like to donate to the Educational Foundation, but I have not been contacted by the phonathon or by mail. How do I get on the phonathon list and how do I make a donation?
A: Technically everyone who is an alumni member of Beta Sigma Psi is on the phonathon list, if we have a current address and phone number for you. If you have not been contacted, lack of current information for you may be the cause. Be sure to keep your address, phone, and email address up to date with the National Office. The second reason you may not have been contacted is simply lack of time. Only so many phone calls can be made during the phonathon each year. If you have not donated to the Educational Foundation in the last couple years or are a recent graduate, you will not be in the first group of people contacted, since the first people called are those who donated last year. To make a donation to the Educational Foundation, you can send a check to the National Office made out to the Beta Sigma Psi Educational Foundation, and be sure to include your chapter and initiation year on a note. Donations of $100 or more can be endowed to your active chapter or several other endowment funds, which include National Office Operations, Scholarships and Grants, Ethical Leadership Education, Timothy Kettler Memorial Leadership Award, William Welge Scholarship Fund, Seminary Scholarships (alumni and non-alumni), and National Expansion/Recruitment.

If you would like additional clarification on these questions, or if you have additional questions, or if you would just like to express your opinion on a particular topic, please feel free to contact us at kmalphbsp@aol.com.