Major Scholarship Initiative
The MSU-Denver Major Scholarship Initiative, housed in the Honors Program, helps students from throughout MSU-Denver apply for competitive, national, merit-based scholarships. To this end, the Major Scholarship Initiative provides the following:
- Information on selected Major Scholarships
- Faculty readers to evaluate and critique Scholarship essays
- Mock interviews to prepare students for the competitive interview process
- Resume writing and development assistance
Unlike other scholarships, Major Scholarships require institutional sponsorship, and therefore students must apply through the designated MSU-Denver faculty representative. In some cases, each undergraduate institution may only submit a certain number of applicants. In this case, the Major Scholarship Initiative will evaluate student applications and select those to submit to the national adjudicators. The Major Scholarships included in this initiative are highly competitive and students are encouraged to begin thinking about these scholarships at least 1 year, and preferably 2 years before the due dates. Most of the scholarships are for graduate study, but some can be used during a student's undergraduate career as well. For more information, review the information below, visit the scholarship websites, and then contact the specific faculty representative or the Honors Program.
The Major Scholarship Initiative currently supports students applying for the following National Scholarships:
Truman Scholarship
Faculty advisor: Dr. Mindy Glover
http://www.truman.gov/
Overview: The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards merit-based scholarships to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service. Truman Scholars receive up to $30,000 for graduate or professional school, participate in leadership development activities, and have special opportunities for internships and employment with the federal government. Applications are due in February of a student's Senior year. Institutional endorsement is required.
Barry Goldwater Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ben Moritz
Scholarship Website: http://www.act.org/goldwater
Overview: For students planning to pursue a career in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. Sophomores or Juniors can apply for the award, which covers up to $7500 in tuition, books, room and board. Students winning the award for their Junior year will receive two years of support, students winning the award for their Senior year will receive one year of support. Institutional endorsement is required.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ben Moritz
Scholarship Website: www.gatesscholar.org
Overview: In 2000, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave a start-up grant of $210 million to Cambridge University to endow a new scholarship program based loosely on the model of the Rhodes Scholarships at Oxford. The program's purpose is to allow students to pursue graduate study at Cambridge University, one of Europe's most celebrated and historic institutions. In recent years the program has funded approximately 230 students at any given time; each year they seek to add another 100, mostly for Masters-level studies in any one of Cambridge's many graduate programs. About 40 students a year are selected from the USA. The scholarship grants full tuition, books, a living stipend and round-trip travel to and from the UK. Institutional endorsement is not required.
Marshall Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alain Ranwez
Scholarship Website: http://www.marshallscholarship.org/
Overview: Up to 40 scholarships are awarded each year for two years of graduate study at a British university of the student's choice. Awards cover virtually all expenses. Institutional endorsement is required.
Rhodes Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ali Thobani
Scholarship Website: http://www.rhodesscholar.org/
Overview: Rhodes Scholars receive full funding to attend Oxford for their graduate work, including tuition, travel, and expenses. The initial deadline is October of the student's Senior Year. Institutional endorsement is required.
Paul and Daisy Soros Scholarship for New Americans
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ben Moritz
Scholarship Website: http://www.pdsoros.org
Overview: The Soros Fellowships for New Americans provide support for up to two years of graduate study in any subject anywhere in the United States. The Program has been established in recognition of the contributions immigrants and their children have made to American life and in gratitude for the opportunities the United States has afforded the donors and their family. It is open to individuals who retain loyalty and a sense of commitment to their country of origin as well as to the United States, but it is intended to support individuals who will continue to regard the United States as their principal residence and focus of national identity. The Fellowship provides $20,000 maintenance and half tuition wherever the Fellow attends. Fellowships are quite competitive—750 applications were received in the most recent round. Of these, approximately ninety were interviewed by a selection panel of distinguished New Americans and thirty-one were chosen as fellows. The application deadline is November of the student's Senior year. Institutional endorsement is not required.
Udall Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ben Moritz
Scholarship Website: http://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/MKUScholarship/MKUScholarship.aspx
Overview: In 2011, the Foundation expects to award 80 scholarships of up to $5,000 and 50 honorable mentions of $350 on the basis of merit to sophomore and junior level college students. Institutional endorsement is required. Scholarship applications are due in March before a student's Junior or Senior year and are offered in any of three categories:
- To students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment; or
- To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy; or
- To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care.
The Mitchell Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ben Moritz
Scholarship Website: http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/content/43/en/Scholarship%20Application%20Landing%20Page.html
Overview: Scholarships are awarded to candidates who have achieved academic excellence, a sustained commitment to community and service, and a record of leadership in their fields. They must be 18 or over but not yet 30 at the time of application. Scholars receive support for one year of postgraduate study in any discipline offered at an institution of higher learning in Ireland or Northern Ireland. The Mitchell Scholars Program provides tuition, housing, a living expense stipend and an international travel stipend. Up to twelve scholarships are awarded each year, application are due in April of a student's Senior year. Institutional endorsement is required.
Jack Kent Cook Scholarship
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ben Moritz
Scholarship Website: http://www.jkcf.org/scholarships/graduate-scholarships/
Overview: The Foundation's Graduate Arts Award is for up to $50,000 per year for up to three years to college seniors and recent graduates with significant financial need who will pursue a graduate or professional degree in the visual arts, performing arts, or creative writing. To be eligible, candidates must be nominated by the faculty representative at their undergraduate institution.
Fulbright Grants
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ali Thobani - athobani@msudenver.edu
Scholarship website: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/home.html
Overview: Fulbright grants generally provide funding for round-trip travel, maintenance for one academic year, health and accident insurance and full or partial tuition to study or carry out research in the selected country. Fulbright travel-only grants are also available to limited countries. Students usually apply for grants their senior year to carry out research immediately after graduation.
