What’s Your Award?
Why apply for a national award? Why put it on the radar? The short answer is that applying for such awards helps clarify long-term goals, it helps you build a network of faculty and professional support, and it makes you a more ambitious student. Also, our students have had increasing success with these awards. So perhaps the question should be: why not apply?
The National Awards office exists to help students apply for these awards–and to help them with the statements required in particular. But there is a bunch of great info on the NCA website related to asking for letters of recommendation and how to begin the application process. Read around, explore the awards database, and contact the NCA office or drop by during open office hours.
The focus in what follows is on major awards with fall deadlines with an emphasis on post-graduation opportunities.
Fulbright--for: seniors and recent graduates interested in international opportunities)
Fulbright, quite literally, offers something for anyone: you can apply to teach English, pursue graduate study in any field, or propose a year-long independent research project that aligns with your academic specialty. This is the U.S. Government’s premier scholarship program. Well over 1,000 awards are given each year in dozens of countries, and opportunities vary by number and requirement for each country, so researching and reflecting upon the many opportunities available is absolutely essential.
Fun Fact: CofC has done increasingly well with this scholarship in recent years. We often have 30 or more applicants, and over a dozen semi-finalists who make it past the national screening. And each year, student are named Fulbright scholars. The College of Charleston has twice been named by the Chronicle of Higher Education a “Top Producer” in our class of Master’s granting institutions, a class that includes over 700 schools.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizen, holding bachelor’s degree by the time overseas project would commence.
- Award: One-year award (though some are longer) typically covering round-trip transportation, language or orientation courses, tuition where necessary, book and research allowances, and living expenses.
- Deadlines:
- Internal: September 11
- External: October 13
- Notes: Many independent research grants require what Fulbright calls an “affiliation.” This is an overseas research mentor who will oversee and consult on your self-designed project. You might also join a larger research project, but it will be important that your role is distinct and substantial. These awards don’t go to lab assistants. Overseas experience is not necessary. It is important to begin the Fulbright application process as soon as possible given complications around affiliations that can arise.
- On the Web–the easiest way to begin is to look at the “country” tab and explore what relevant countries have to offer, though you can also browse by type of award.
- Additional Resource: Fulbright Statement Guides
Marshall Scholarship (seniors; UK; academic study)
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The Marshall Scholarship offers full support to finance young Americans of high ability for two or three years of study at any British university leading towards a second bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree (taught and/or by research). Institutional nomination required. At least 40 awards are given each year. As future leaders, with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions. Marshall Scholars are talented, independent and wide-ranging, and their time as Scholars enhances their intellectual and personal growth.
- Eligibility: U.S. citizenship; expecting first degree within the current academic year, or received first degree within the 28 months prior to application; min. 3.7 GPA.
- Award: Full tuition, fees, living allowance, and various expenses for two years (with some possibility of an extension for a third year)
- Deadlines:
- Internal: late August/ early September
- External: September 25
- On the Web: Marshall Scholarship
National Science Foundation Grad Fellowship--for: seniors and recent graduates interested in domestic grad study in STEM fields
The NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding seniors (who are applying to graduate school) and graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions. As the oldest graduate fellowship of its kind, the GRFP has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers.
- Eligibility: Seniors applying to graduate school and grad students in NSF-supported fields; significant research experience is expected for successful applicants.
- Award: Fellows benefit from a three-year annual stipend of $32,000 along with a $12,000 cost of education allowance for tuition and fees (paid to the institution), opportunities for international research and professional development, and the freedom to conduct their own research at any accredited U.S. institution of graduate education they choose.
- Deadline: Late October / Early November (varies by field)
- On the Web: NSF GRFP
- Additional Resources: Alex Lang’s NSF GRFP resource page (includes many sample statements and excellent advice)
Critical Language Scholarship--for any student interested in critical-needs foreign language study
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In 2006, its inaugural year, the CLS Program offered intensive overseas study in the critical need foreign languages of Arabic, Bangla, Hindi, Punjabi, Turkish and Urdu. In 2013, approximately 600 scholarships were awarded for thirteen languages, including Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu. CLS is an overseas, group-based program that takes place each summer. Program sites, dates, and overseas institutional partners may vary from year to year.
- Eligibility: All applicants must be U.S. citizens; applicants must be currently enrolled in a U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate or graduate level; current undergraduate students must have completed at least one year of general college course-work by program start date (one year is defined as two semesters or three quarters).
- Award: Airfare, tuition, room and board, cultural program expenses, overseas health benefits, and applicable visa fees – are fully covered for all participants. Participants receive a small stipend to cover incidental expenses and meals not provided by the program. The CLS Program provides undergraduate academic credit. Upon completion of the program, participants also receive a certified American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) score.
- Deadlines:
- National: November 17
- Notes: Many specific language options assume that you have no experience with the language (you can enter as a beginner)
- On the Web: Critical Language Scholarship Program
In addition to those awards noted above, you might consider the highly competitive and exclusive Rhodes Scholarship for study at Oxford, or the equally competitive Gates-Cambridge for study at Cambridge. The Soros Fellowship for New Americans is another interesting opportunity that supports graduate study in any field for immigrants or children of immigrants to the US. And, of course, you can view the whole raft of awards on the primary National Awards Search and News site.