Frequently Asked Questions

Transcript Questions

1. What transcripts are required?
2. Can I check whether my transcript was received?
3. I started graduate school in Fall 2008.  Do I send a blank transcript?
4. Can I send transcripts myself, or do they have to come directly from the school?
5. Do I need to send transcripts from international institutions?
6. Can I re-use transcripts from last year's application?

GRE Score Reporting Questions

1. Should I submit my scores for the GRFP application?
2. Do I have to ask ETS to send the scores?
3. How do I get NSF to pay for my Subject Test?
4. Can I have my Subject scores reported to graduate schools if NSF pays for the test?
5. I cannot submit the payment request form by October 3. Can I send it in late?
6. My scores were not received by the application deadline. What can I do? 

Announcement Questions

1. Do I hear from you before the awards are announced?
2. When will I be notified of the decision?
3. Can I view my rating Sheets?

Transcript Questions

1. What transcripts are required?

Academic transcripts are required for all institutions listed in the Education and Work Experience section of your application. Required transcripts to complete your application include academic transcripts from your baccalaureate institution and transcripts for all completed graduate work. However, if you transferred during your undergraduate career, you only need to list the degree-awarding institution if your transcript from that institution includes all transfer credits.

2. Can I check whether my transcript was received?

You can check your transcript status online by logging in at the FastLane GRFP site. After you log in, under the "Application Package Optional Task List", click the "Check Application Package Status" link. This will take you to a new page; near the top of the page is another link, "View  Your 2009 Application Package Status". Click this link, and it will take you to another page that shows whether your transcripts and other application components have been received.

3. I started graduate school in Fall 2008.  Do I send a blank transcript?

You do not have to submit a transcript for your current institution if you began your graduate study this fall, because you do not have any completed credits. In this case, the transcript requirement will be waived. Please note that, since the transcript deadline is before the end of the Fall 2008 semester, we cannot accept completed Fall 2008 transcripts in December.

4. Can I send transcripts myself, or do they have to come directly from the school?

You may either send your transcript yourself or have your institution send it, whichever is more convenient, as long as it is an official copy. If you choose to send it yourself, it should be a sealed official copy.

5. Do I need to send transcripts from international institutions?

The GRF Operations Center realizes that official transcripts from overseas institutions can be difficult to obtain. If at all possible, we prefer to have official copies of your transcripts. However, if you are unable to obtain an official copy of your transcript from your overseas institution, you can arrange to send us an unofficial copy or photocopy.

6. Can I re-use transcripts from last year's application?

Supporting material from previous applications, including all transcripts, must be resubmitted. We do not have access to any of the components of previous applications.

Back to Top

GRE Score Reporting

1. Should I submit my scores for the GRFP application?

We recommend applicants submit GRE scores, because it provides the reviewers with additional information about their preparation and abilities. However, they are not required.

GRE scores are optional, so you will not be ineligible or incomplete if you do not take the GRE. GRE scores are not assigned a specific weight in the evaluation process, and without the scores your application will be considered on its full merits with all the required components. All completed applications are given a thorough review based on the two merit review criteria of intellectual merit and broader impacts.

2. Do I have to ask ETS to send the scores?

By including your GRE information on your FastLane application, NSF will pay for ETS to have your GRE scores reported to us. You should fill out all requested information, including the date of the test, your first and last name, and your registration number. ETS will send the scores directly to the GRF Operations Center. You should not request an additional score report to the GRF Operations Center from ETS.

3. How do I get NSF to pay for my Subject Test?

NSF will pay for the November 8, 2008 subject test if applicants submit the appropriate paperwork to ETS prior to October 3, 2008. If NSF pays for the subject test, the applicant agrees that the scores will only be reported to the GRF Operations Center, the applicant, and the applicant's undergraduate institution prior to May 1, 2009.

You can download the form on FastLane. After you log in, you should select the "Download Request for Payment of GRE Subject Test Fee" link under the Application Package Optional Task List. You can also download the form at the following link:

http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=fmgre

Instructions are contained on the Request for Payment of GRE Test Fee form. Please note that ETS will not accept this form if it is received after October 3.

4. Can I have my Subject scores reported to graduate schools if NSF pays for the test?

If NSF pays for your subject test, you can only report the scores to the GRF Operations Center and your undergraduate institution before May 1, 2009. If you intend to use your subject test scores for graduate school applications or other purposes besides your GRFP application, you would need to make arrangements to cover the cost of the test yourself.

5. I cannot submit the payment request form by October 3. Can I send it in late?

The Request for Payment of GRE Test Fee form must be received along with your registration no later than October 3. ETS will not accept any forms that are received after October 3rd; no extensions are available.

6. My scores were not received by the application deadline. What can I do?

GRE tests for the 2008 GRFP may be taken between October 1, 2003 and November 30, 2008. Because some applicants are taking tests close to or after the application deadline, your GRE scores might not be received by the application deadline. GRE scores will be accepted after the application deadline.  The only thing you need to do is make sure you listed your GRE test(s) on your FastLane application prior to submitting the application.

Back to Top

Announcement Questions

1. Do I hear from you before the awards are announced?

The GRF Operations Center may make occasional contact with applicants, via email, to inform them of missing transcripts or GRE scores.  These emails are usually sent as the deadline draws near.  These emails are sent to all persons who started an application and are missing their listed transcripts or GRE scores.

2. When will I be notified of the decision?

All eligible applicants will be notified of the results of their application by e-mail in late March or early April 2009.

NSF will post a list of the 2009 awardees and honorable mentions at fastlane.nsf.gov/grfp/ in late March, at the same time notifications are sent.

3. Can I view my rating Sheets?

All applicants will be e-mailed a login name and password along with the final notification of their 2008 GRFP application. This information will NOT be the same as your regular FastLane login. Rating sheets will be available  at the following website:

https://www.nsfgrfp.org/ratingsheets/login

Back to Top

Fellow Carlos J. Cela, from the Bioelectromagnetics Laboratory at North CarolinaStateUniversity, works on the modeling of electrical interactions between implantable retinal stimulators and neural tissue, which has application to the development of an artificial retina to restore partial vision to the blind. Retinal implants aim to restore vision to the blind suffering from degenerative retinal diseases, including Age-related Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa.