TACA Hawaii & Hawaii Autism Foundation Family Scholarship Program
The 2012 Application Deadline is February 29, 2012.
Hawaii Autism Foundation and TACA have joined together to create a new scholarship fund for families living in Hawaii. These scholarships, made possible through the generosity of the Hawaii Autism Foundation, will allow families living in Hawaii to either begin much needed biomedical treatment or to continue on with the prescribed treatment of an Autism Research Institute (ARI) doctor. We are proud to provide these scholarships and look forward to helping families living in Hawaii in their pursuit of biomedical treatment.
Purpose
To help families in Hawaii who are pursuing treatment for their children with autism, but are struggling to find the funding. We understand how difficult it is to stretch the family budget to include things like an ARI doctor. This program provides limited financial assistance to qualified families who reside in Hawaii.
Eligibility
Families must meet the eligibility criteria below to receive assistance from the Hawaii Autism Foundation and TACA Hawaii Family Scholarship Program.
ARI Doctor Scholarship Criteria
- Be a TACA member for at least 6 months (sign up online, it’s FREE!)
- Live in Hawaii
- Attend a TACA Chapter Meeting or Autism Journey Seminar. If a Autism Journey Seminar is not available nearby, we ask that you watch the Autism Journey Guide DVD. (This can be loaned to you if finances are an issue.)
- Be working with a Parent Mentor for at least 2 months – Parent Mentors are available in person, on the phone or via email.
- Have a combined annual household income of less than $85,000. (Applicants with higher household incomes will be considered, but priority will be given to those below $85,000)
Available Scholarships
TACA will provide financial assistance to families of up to $1500 with a child with autism for the following:
- Initial ARI doctor appointment. Families can apply to receive funding for an initial appointment and one follow-up appointment with a ARI doctor. As part of the application process the family must chose an ARI doctor and confirm the costs of an initial visit and follow-up. Unfortunately, this scholarship will not include travel expenses. For your information (airfare can be obtained through Miracle Flights with a doctor’s referral)
- Follow-up appointment with current ARI doctor. Families can apply for a follow-up appointment for their current ARI doctor. The application must include cost breakdown for the appointment and the date of the last appointment.
- Lab work – as recommended by an ARI doctor. Application must include the cost breakdown of the lab work being requested and the contact information for the preferred Lab. (If this is your first ARI doctor appointment, just include a general amount in your budget proposal. The ARI doctor can give you an estimate of the lab costs.) Keep in mind that some lab work can be covered under insurance and would therefore not be funded by a scholarship. – Be sure you read our “Try, Before You Apply” page to see what lab work can be covered through insurance.
NOTE: Payments, once authorized, are NOT made directly to the family, but are instead paid on the family’s behalf directly to the vendor providing goods and services.
Deadline
Applications will be accepted two to three times per year, funding permitted. Scholarships will be awarded a month after the application deadline.
The deadline for 2012 applications is February 29, 2012. This is a RECEIVED BY deadline and NOT a postmark deadline. In other words, completed applications must be received in the TACA National Office by the deadline to be eligible. Applications will not be accepted via fax, and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Click here to download an application (PDF).
Frequency
The Beautiful Son Foundation and TACA Hawaii Family Scholarship Program is not meant to fund on-going services and funds are restricted. Once an application is approved, TACA will fund only one request per family per year through the Family Scholarship Program.
Application Process
To apply for a Hawaii Autism Foundation and TACA Hawaii Family Scholarship, please contact TACA at (949) 640-4401 or click here to download an application (PDF). Applications are reviewed 2 to 3 times per year, funds permitting. Assistance will be based on the needs of the family and the availability for funds. Applicants who have not received funds from TACA previously will be given highest priority. However, TACA reserves the right to provide assistance more than once to the same family. The amount of assistance will vary, depending on availability of funds. Please do not call to check on the status of your application. You will be notified as soon as possible about our decisions. Only formal written applications will be accepted. Applications will not be accepted via fax, incomplete applications will not be considered.
Documentation
When applying for a Hawaii Autism Foundation and TACA Hawaii Family Scholarship, you most provide:
- Completed and signed application.
- Copy of a utility bill to prove Hawaii residency
- A letter from your doctor or other proof indicating your child’s diagnosis.
- Date you joined TACA.
- Previous year’s tax return (both tax returns if you are married filing separately are required if you are married.)
- Current year’s pay stub showing year-to-date income for all house hold income workers.
- Total cost breakdown for funding request.
- Depending on the nature of your request, additional information may be required.
Please note that, in order to comply with state and federal law, TACA reserves the right to follow up with the family to ensure the assistance was successfully used for its intended purpose.
Decision Process
The application deadline is 2 to 3 times per year, funds permitting. The decision for the selected applicant will be within a month of the application deadline. Funding of approved applicant will be delivered within seven days of the decision date.
Conclusion
Not every family who applies for the Hawaii Autism Foundation and TACA Hawaii Family Scholarship will receive funding. TACA’s program manager and Scholarship Application Review Committee volunteers award the scholarships. This selection process depends upon the number of applications received in a given time frame, the applicant’s unique circumstances, and the amount the Hawaii Autism Foundation and TACA Hawaii Family Scholarship Program has available to make the best decision possible.
