The Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation will award approximately 80 scholarships of up to $5,000 (and 30 scholarships of $350 to honorable mention recipients) to students nation-wide. The awards will be made on the basis of merit to two groups of students. 1) Those who are college sophomores or juniors in the current academic year, have outstanding potential, and who study the environment and related fields. 2) Native American and Alaska Native students who are college sophomores or juniors in the current academic year, have outstanding potential, and are in field related to health care or tribal public policy.
DEADLINES (Submit materials in Morrill Hall 207)
1. Deadline to submit 1st draft of nominee packet to Dr. Scott Wood for committee review is January 16, 2004.
2. Deadline to submit revised nominee packet to Dr. Wood for committee review is February 13, 2004.
3. Deadline for final submission is February 27, 2004, 1:30 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS! We must have all applications to the Udall Foundation by March 3, 2004.
CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY
1. Current sophomore or junior (sophomore defined as a student planning two or more years of full-time undergraduate study beginning the next academic year; junior defined as a student who plans one more year of full-time undergraduate study beginning the next academic year)
2. Grade-point average of at least “B”
3. U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or in the case of nominees from American Somoa or the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, a U.S. national
4. In the case of scholarships in the areas of tribal policy and health care, nominees must be Native American or Alaska Native.
NOMINATION MATERIALS (www.udall.gov)
1. Institutional Nomination Form (to be completed by Dr. Scott Wood)
2. Nominee Information Form
3. Nominee's essay (600 words or less)
4. Three (3) Independent Evaluation Nominee forms
5. Nominee Survey Form (This information is requested on a voluntary basis and will be used only for statistical purposes. This form will be detached from your application and will not be seen by the Foundation’s independent review committee at any stage of its deliberations.)
6. Official transcripts of nominee’s college grades (from all institutions attended)
SCHOLARSHIP CONDITIONS
1. Acceptance of scholarship award
2. Agreement to attend the scholar orientation weekend, tentatively scheduled for August 5-8, 2004.
3. A statement of eligible expenses, certified by the authorized financial officer of the University of Idaho, including those for tuition, fees, books, and room and board; an additional certification regarding the scholar’s academic program; an other certifications as required by law or regulation.
4. A completed Direct Deposit/EFT Enrollment form.
5. Upon completion of the Udall Foundation Scholarship year, a typed narrative of approximately 300 words accompanied by a recent photograph, for publication. The narrative will briefly describe benefits of the Udall scholarship.
TIPS FOR NOMINEES
· Familiarize yourself with the Udall Foundation and the scholarship by exploring www.udall.gov.
· Start the nomination process early and put significant thought into your responses.
· Submit an application that is complete, neat, and accurate. Proofread, avoid small fonts, and use spell check.
· Fill in the application online at www.udall.gov or use a typewriter. Handwritten applications will not be accepted.
· Present thoughtful responses to the questions on the nominee information form. Relate experiences that support commitment to the goals of the program.
· Write a well-defined, focused career goal statement. This statement is an important part of the application.
· Refrain from reiterating the same experiences throughout the application.
· We recommend answering question #6 (additional information) on the application. Leaving this blank is a missed opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the readers.
· Prepare a carefully constructed, well-researched response to the essay question. Research resources are available at www.udall.gov and at http://dizzy.library.arizona.edu/branches/spc/udall/homepage.html.
· The essay is a critical component of the application. You should address both aspects of the topic thoroughly. We suggest a two-part structure; in the first section, analyze a significant speech or legislative act of Congressman Udall and his involvement in the issue. In the second, integrate that into a discussion of its impact on the student's interests, studies, and career goals. Its relevance – the link to your interests and projected career – is essential, and is where many essays fall short.
· Readers appreciate (and reward) some freshness of perspective and originality of voice, so we encourage you to spend some time familiarizing yourselves with Udall's significant speeches and legislative acts. The website (www.udall.gov) has many helpful links, particularly to the University of Arizona archives. Do your research and select a topic that relates well to your interests. Do not simply focus on a particular issue because it was the easiest to find on the web.
· Select carefully those who will submit evaluations. The best evaluations are from faculty members in the candidate's field of study who know the candidate well and are able to attest to his or her accomplishments and potential. Form letters, lacking a personal knowledge of the candidate, reflect negatively on both the candidate and the institution. It would be helpful to aid them by submitting a resume and a list of reasons why the scholarship is a good fit with your goals and accomplishments.
· Nominees should submit official transcripts in a sealed envelope to Udall faculty representatives for submission with the rest of the nomination materials.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
· Select a “rare” essay and/or legislation to write your essay on. The 1st half of your essay should analyze the speech and/or legislation and the 2nd half should address how it ties into your career goals.
·
When they ask for additional
personal information – here you should address items such as any traveling
you have done, children, financial need, etc.