The Unofficial SMART Scholarship Forum

Fitzsimmons wrote:OH! I'm sorry. I didn't realize that SMART is unaffiliated with ASEE. Clearly that absolves SMART of any negative consequences that these scholars might experience due to the late stipend payment.

It's really weird that the website is smart.asee.org. But clearly SMART and ASEE have nothing to do with each other.

Salut!

Fitzsimmons wrote:Larry,

I know SMART doesn't own a bank. To spell it out for you, I was saying that "the bank" is the SMART program's scapegoat. Clearly, no bank has anything to do with the delay.

I'm not waiting on payment. I'm in phase 2. I want to see these phase 1 scholars paid, and I seem to be the only one taking this seriously.

I'm not bitter or angry, but I will say it's a sore subject with me because I've been through the same thing.

Thanks for the hug. I can see the previous post about the SMART program's professionalism was on point.

Fitzsimmons wrote:Larry, I like you. I hope you know that. But your last post is a perfect example of how great government employees are at polishing a turd.

Fitzsimmons wrote:

Guest wrote:Dear SMART Participants,



Thank you to those who contacted the SMART Program Office through the official email address to raise concern about the January stipend payment. January stipend payments will be issued through a different capacity this month. Payments will be processed via wire transfers. All payments will be posted today. You may see an additional $15 with this deposit which is intended to cover any wire transfer fees that may be incurred.



As referenced in the SMART Participant Handbook, page twelve, section 8.2. a titled Stipends. Recruitment SSPP Stipend Timing and Distribution are based on the availability of funds, recruitment SSPP stipend payments are paid directly to the SSPP by ASEE. Recruitment SSPPs generally receive stipend payments on the third Friday of each month, beginning in August of the first award year, provided all award funding prerequisites have been met.



The SMART Program is dedicated to providing accurate information through official channels. Questions regarding SMART policies or procedures, contact the program at SMART@nps.edu and/or your cohort administrator.

Yes. They're definitely reading this forum (or they did, before they left for the long weekend). The second paragraph also indicates that you did the right thing by going to them, instead of discussing it with your peers, which can lead to thoughtcrime.

You know what the statement above says? SMART did nothing wrong. This is business as usual.

If this is all part of the SPO's plan, then why are these scholars only hearing about this today? The day they are supposed to be receiving their stipend. Seems like a little advance notice would have been nice.

I'll tell you why -- someone made a mistake.

As far as the handbook excerpt (page 12, sec. 8.2), particularly the "based on the availability of funds" part, mine doesn't say anything like that. The SPO just changed the handbook when they realized that their incompetence was going to lead to a couple of late payments every year. And the handbook doesn't say anything about wiring money to scholars like a shady eBay scammer.

This should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway. The SMART program owes these scholars an apology, which was overtly missing from the "it's not our fault" email. The inability to admit when you make a mistake is a well-known indication of a severe character flaw, and it's rampant in the government. Get over yourself, man up, and tell these people that you messed up and you're sorry.

Guest wrote:Dear SMART Participants,



Thank you to those who contacted the SMART Program Office through the official email address to raise concern about the January stipend payment. January stipend payments will be issued through a different capacity this month. Payments will be processed via wire transfers. All payments will be posted today. You may see an additional $15 with this deposit which is intended to cover any wire transfer fees that may be incurred.



As referenced in the SMART Participant Handbook, page twelve, section 8.2. a titled Stipends. Recruitment SSPP Stipend Timing and Distribution are based on the availability of funds, recruitment SSPP stipend payments are paid directly to the SSPP by ASEE. Recruitment SSPPs generally receive stipend payments on the third Friday of each month, beginning in August of the first award year, provided all award funding prerequisites have been met.



The SMART Program is dedicated to providing accurate information through official channels. Questions regarding SMART policies or procedures, contact the program at SMART@nps.edu and/or your cohort administrator.