Equal Footing Scholarships
We believe that education is key to raising the standards of the interpreting profession.
Equal Footing for Limited English Proficient Persons provides those new to the interpreting profession the fundamental knowledge necessary to enter the interpreting field as well as preparing interpreters for national certification.
MISSION
SWITS, Ltd.’s mission is to provide equal language access in any setting while raising the standards of the language services profession.
In order to achieve this, SWITS has committed to providing scholarships for our 60-hour training course, Equal Footing for Limited English Proficient Persons, in collaboration with the Refugee Programs Section of the Division of Family and Economic Security’s Bureau of Working Families, an entity within the Department of Children and Families.
These scholarships will be available for each session of our 60-hour community interpreter training Equal Footing for Limited English Proficient Persons.
Awards
SWITS Scholarships
- 1 full Scholarship
- 2 half scholarships
DCF Scholarships
- The number of scholarships available each session is determined by available funds provided by the Refugee Programs Section of the Division of Family and Economic Security’s Bureau of Working Families, an entity within the Department of Children and Families.
- These scholarships are available to those that speak languages listed on the Wisconsin refugee language list only.
Eligibility
Students must meet the following requirements for admission:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Provide proof of High School diploma (or equivalent) or a higher degree
- Provide proof of competency in English AND at least one other language through one of the following for each language:
- CV with verifiable work experience of at least 5 years
- Degree from a higher education institution where the main language is spoken
- Graduation from high school where the main language of the country is used for instruction
- TOEFL/ACTFL scores of at least Advanced Mid-Level
- Test results from an approved language exam (maybe this list can be a drop down or one where you hover over the “approved language exams” and it reveals the list but is not visible otherwise?)
- ACTFL Oral Exams (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Advanced Mid-Level
- BEST Plus computer-adaptive assessment: High Intermediate or above.
- CAE (Certificate in Advanced English, Level 4): B
- COPI (Computerized Oral Proficiency Instrument) based on ACTFL rating (Advanced Mid-Level)
- CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English, Level 5): B
- ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English): PASS
- ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test): 950+
- FCE (First Certificate in English, Level 3): A
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 7.0+
- MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) 80+
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 570+ on paper; 230+ computer version; 90+ on iBT.
- Validated language exam equivalent to ILR2 or higher.
Timeline
- All submissions must be received by March 24, 2023.
- Awards are determined by April 7th, 2023.
- Classes to begin April 29, 2023
Eligibility
Students must meet the following requirements for admission:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Provide proof of High School diploma (or equivalent) or a higher degree
- Provide proof of competency in English AND at least one other language through one of the following for each language:
- CV with verifiable work experience of at least 5 years
- Degree from a higher education institution where the main language is spoken
- Graduation from high school where the main language of the country is used for instruction
- TOEFL/ACTFL scores of at least Advanced Mid-Level
- Test results from an approved language exam (maybe this list can be a drop down or one where you hover over the “approved language exams” and it reveals the list but is not visible otherwise?)
- ACTFL Oral Exams (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages): Advanced Mid-Level
- BEST Plus computer-adaptive assessment: High Intermediate or above.
- CAE (Certificate in Advanced English, Level 4): B
- COPI (Computerized Oral Proficiency Instrument) based on ACTFL rating (Advanced Mid-Level)
- CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English, Level 5): B
- ECPE (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English): PASS
- ELPT (English Language Proficiency Test): 950+
- FCE (First Certificate in English, Level 3): A
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) 7.0+
- MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) 80+
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): 570+ on paper; 230+ computer version; 90+ on iBT.
- Validated language exam equivalent to ILR2 or higher.
Timeline
- All submissions must be received by March 24, 2023.
- Awards are determined by April 7th, 2023.
- Classes to begin April 29, 2023
Submission Requirements
- Resume
- Essay – 500 words on the following:
- Why you want to become an interpreter;
- OR if you are currently an interpreter, how you would benefit from taking Equal Footing
- AND what are your career or interpreting goals
Evaluation Process
- Application form and resume – 50%
- Essay – 50%