Are you considering applying for the Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright or other prestigious awards? These and other scholarships provide outstanding students the opportunity to undertake graduate studies abroad. Recipients of these prestigious awards have achieved recognition of contributions to matters of society with emphasis on one’s life-long passion.

In addition to an application and letters of recommendations, many awards and prestigious scholarships require Institutional Endorsement of the candidates submitted by each institution.  A specially chosen University Committee is convened to review all applications and decide which to send forward.  Candidates who submit their applications without the Institutional Endorsement of the University to these award entities will not be considered for the awards by the representative agencies. 

The true value of applying for such a competitive award is not found solely in the winning, but also in the process of preparing your application and working with a mentor. The entire experience lends to self-exploration and personal discovery that will enhance your experience at Oxford, Cambridge or where ever your future studies and career interests may lead you.

The Process

• Start early and do some research so that you are well aware of what each scholarship criteria is and how it matches your own goals.
• Most awards are for postgraduate study (though sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply for some).  However, this does not mean you should put off planning until your senior year. 
• Some applications are due as early as October of your senior year for some of the scholarship programs.  Therefore, generally the spring semester of your junior year is the latest you should begin your planning process for the following academic year. Planning earlier affords you the best chances and time to assemble your application packet. 
• If you are planning to apply for a prestigious scholarship, sometimes it is necessary to adjust your curricular and co-curricular activities to ensure you are as viable a candidate as possible. Take advantage of your summers to participate in community service, conduct research or complete an internship.
• Candidates will need to submit all of the materials requested for the scholarship application to the Office of Academic Enhancement first.
• PLEASE NOTE: Our campus deadline for submission to receive Institutional Endorsement is significantly earlier than the deadline posted by the scholarship program itself.  This is done so that we might be best able to assist you with the application process.  Please be sure to check our website for each specific campus application deadline. 
• A campus committee will review all of your materials and, for some awards, also conduct an interview. 
• Some programs limit the number of nominees each campus can submit; therefore, the number of applications from a specific campus will need to be confirmed through a faculty committee.

If you are selected as a UM nominee for any of these scholarships, the UM committee will likely offer suggestions on ways to improve your application. Therefore, be prepared to continue working on the application even after you initially submit it to us.

Institutional Endorsement Awards

Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship – Scholarships for sophomores and juniors in mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering

Boren Awards – Scholarships and Fellowships for International Study

Fulbright Grants – Graduate study and research abroad

George J. Mitchell Scholarships – Scholarships for one year of study in Ireland or Northern Ireland

German Chancellor Fellowships – Scholarships for professional development, study, or research in Germany

Marshall Scholarships – Scholarships for undergraduate or graduate study in the United Kingdom Universities

Merage Foundation for the American Dream Fellowships – Fellowship opportunity for seniors who have immigrated to the United States. Award allows students to pursue their ‘American Dream’ after graduation and can be used to fund graduate study, research, travel, or other opportunities directly related to the Fellows ‘American Dream’.

Morris K. Udall Scholarships – Scholarships for juniors and seniors in fields related to the environment, and to Native American and Alaska natives in fields related to health care or tribal policy

Rhodes Scholarships – Scholarships for undergraduate or graduate study at Oxford University

Truman Scholarships – Awards for undergraduates who intend to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service, and wish to attend Graduate School