Office of Distinguished Scholarships

Description: Undergraduate and graduate study in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. Requires language study and awardees must spend up to a full academic year overseas. Recipients must work in the federal government for at least one year after graduation. Award up to $20,000 for undergraduate study and $30,000 for graduate study. 

Approximate Deadline: Undergraduate - End of January; Graduate - Early February.

Website: www.borenawards.org

Description: Intensive international language and cultural immersion program for undergraduates and graduate students. Program is 8 to 10 weeks long and the focus is on one of 15 critical languages. The program consists of a full scholarship that covers all travel, tuition, and housing for the duration of the program.  

Approximate Deadline: Mid-November

Website: https://www.clscholarship.org/

Description: Graduate study or research in over 100 foreign countries, generally for one year. Fulbright grants differ by country in the amount of funding awarded, but most provide round-trip transportation, language or orientation courses (where appropriate), tuition, books, maintenance for one academic year, and limited health and accident insurance. 

Important Notes: Requires an institutional endorsement. 

Approximate Arkansas Tech University Deadline: Mid-September

Website: https://us.fulbrightonline.org

Description: The Gilman Scholarship provides awards for US undergraduates who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding up to $5,000 to participate in study abroad programs worldwide.

Important Notes: Requires an institutional endorsement.

Approximate Arkansas Tech University Deadlines: Early September (for spring) and early February (for fall)

Website: www.iie.org/gilman

Description: The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO program funded at 151 institutions across the United States and Puerto Rico by the U.S. Department of Education. It is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. McNair participants are either first-generation college students with financial need, or members of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in graduate education and have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal of the McNair Scholars Program is to increase graduate degree awards for students from underrepresented segments of society.

Important Notes: Eligibility requirements: First-generation and low income, or a member of a group traditionally underrepresented in graduate education (African-American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Hispanic/Latino, or Pacific Islander). Also, must have an interest in earning a Ph.D., have a minimum of 3.0 GPA, be fully enrolled, and a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.

Approximate Arkansas Tech University Deadlines: To Be Determined

Web site: https://mcnairscholars.com/about/ 

Description: This program trains for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Program provides up to $38,000 per year for a two year graduate program, Up to $10,000 per year in stipend, housing, transportation and related expenses for summer internships, mentorship from a USAID Foreign Services Officer, and employment in the USAID Foreign Service for those successfully completing the program with the ability to meet Foreign Service entry requirements.  

Approximate Deadline: Early November

Website: www.paynefellows.org

Description: This program provides graduate funding up to $75,000 over two years and training to become Foreign Service Officers.  Fellows must agree to a minimum five year service commitment in the Department of State's Foreign Service. 

Approximate Deadline: September

Website: pickeringfellowship.org

Description: This program offers ROTC students the opportunity to learn critical languages, study abroad and intercultural dialoge. Program offers fully funded scholarships for critical language study both internationally and domestically.  Students can earn course credit and may qualify for language proficiency bonus pay in their military career.  

Website: www.rotcprojectgo.org

Description: The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Program seeks to attract outstanding young people who have an interest in pursuing a career in the Foreign Service of the U. S. Department of State. This program encourages the involvement of members of minority groups and those with financial need. The Rangel award contributes towards tuition, room, board, books and mandatory fees for completion of a two-year master's degree. 

Approximate Deadline: September

Web site: www.howard.edu/rjb/rangelprogram.htm

Description: This program gives Native American students the opportunity to get a first-hand look at Federal-Tribal relations through a fully-funded, ten-week summer internship in Washington, D.C. 

Approximate Deadline: January

Website: www.udall.gov

Description: The Udall Fellowship provides awards of up to $5,000 to juniors and seniors in fields related to the environment and to Native Americans. Consideration is given to the student's field of study and the extent to which that individual has the commitment and potential to make a significant contribution to his or her field. 

Important Notes: Requires an institutional endorsement.

Approximate Arkansas Tech University Deadline: Mid-February

Web site: www.udall.gov 

Description: Provides $5,000 for one year of graduate study to support students pursing advanced degrees in areas of study related to improved national security and terrorism prevention. 

Approximate Deadline: Late February

Website: https://www.victimsofpanamflight103.org/legacyaward