JMU HONORS PROGRAM251 Warren Service Drive
MSC 1501
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Hillcrest House
540.568.6953
540.568.7728
540.568.8079 (fax)
E-mail: honors@jmu.edu
Office hours:
Mon.-Fri., 8:00am-5:00pm
Scholarships
JMU Honors Program Scholarships
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Prestigious National Scholarships
The Honors Program has initiated coordination for nationally competitive scholarships. Please note that the list of scholarships belowis not comprehensive of all awards that you should consider. Scholarships not listed include: JMU scholarships, state scholarships, need-based scholarships, and scholarships below $5000. The awards listed here represent a select number of nationally competitive scholarships that represent significant funding and recognition for the student and require long-term planning and preparation.
If you are thinking about applying for any of the scholarships below, please schedule an appointment to meet with Dr. Melinda Adams, JMU's Prestigious Scholarships Coordinator, who will help you learn about national scholarship opportunities and guide you through the application process. Also feel free to stop by to see Dr. Adams if you have any questions about any of these scholarships or would just like to talk about possible opportunities. These scholarships are extremely competitive, so it is a good idea to begin the process as early as possible-even a year or more in advance.
Dr. Melinda Adams
Office: Miller 2111
Phone: 540-568-3377
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
DAAD
Freeman-Asia Program
Fulbright Fellowship
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
Gilman Scholarship
Goldwater Scholarship
James Madison Fellowship
Javits Fellowship
Marshall Scholarship
Mitchell Scholarship
National Science Foundation
NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship
NSEP David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship
Rhodes Scholarship
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship
Science Graduate Fellowship Program
SMART Scholarship for Service Program
Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Thomas R. Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Truman Scholarship
Udall Scholarship
U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security Undergraduate Scholarships & Graduate Fellowships
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Description:The Carnegie Endowment offers 8-10 one-year fellowships each year to graduating seniors and individuals that have graduated during the past academic year. Junior Fellows provide research assistance to senior associates working on topics such as non-proliferation, democracy building, trade, China-related issues, South Asian issues, and Russian/Eurasian studies. They conduct research for books, co-author papers, participate in high-level meetings, and organize briefings. Junior Fellows are selected based on the quality of the essay, academic study and work experience, grades, recommendations, and personal interviews. They receive $2,750 each month ($33,000 per year) and a full benefits package. Eligibility: Applicants must be graduating seniors or students who have graduated during the last academic year. No one who has started graduate studies is eligible. Important notes: Requires institutional endorsement.
Description: DAAD is the German national agency for international academic cooperation and exchange. It offers a wide range of opportunities to undergraduate students including funding for study abroad, internships, and senior thesis research. DAAD also offers study scholarships for graduating seniors. Eligibility: Varies Important notes: Requires institutional endorsement.
Description: This program supports American undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study overseas in East or Southeast Asia. It provides need-based funding to cover study abroad expenses including tuition, airfare, living costs, books, etc. The program provides up to $3000 for summer programs, up to $5000 for semester programs, and up to $7000 for academic year programs. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, receive need-based financial aid, be an undergraduate in good standing, apply through U.S. home campus, and plan to participate in a study abroad program based in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam. See website for additional eligibility requirements.
Website
Description: The Fulbright Program is an international exchange program established by the U.S. Congress in 1946 to "enable the government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries." Awards cover round-trip transportation to host country, maintenance for the academic year, health benefits, full or partial tuition, and language or orientation courses where appropriate. In addition to the full grant, which supports individually designed programs, the Fulbright program also funds English Teaching Assistantships in over 20 countries. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have completed a B.A. degree or the equivalent before the start of the grant. Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in the language proficiency. Specific language requirements vary by country. Important notes: Current JMU students must go through a campus evaluation process and be evaluated by a campus committee.
Gates Cambridge Scholarship
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Description: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation established the Gates Scholarship to enable outstanding graduate students outside of the United Kingdom to study at the University of Cambridge. Scholarships are awarded based on applicants' intellectual ability, leadership capacity, and ability to contribute to society by applying their talents to improve the lives of others. The scholarship covers tuition, maintenance funds, and travel to Cambridge. 100 new scholarships are awarded each year. Eligibility: Applicants can come from any country except the United Kingdom. They must apply to study a subject currently available at the University of Cambridge and must be admitted to Cambridge through the University's normal academic procedures. Applicants must have excellent transcripts with a high GPA and academic references that speak to the candidate's leadership potential, social commitment, and intellectual ability. Important notes: Applicants for a Gates Scholarship must apply to Cambridge in the normal way. They must complete and submit a Graduate Admission and Scholarship Application Form (GRADSAF) to the Board of Graduate Studies no later than October 15, 2007.
Description: The Gilman Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and offers awards for undergraduate study abroad. The Gilman Scholarship provides up to $5000. Students who apply for and receive the Gilman Scholarship are eligible to receive an additional $3000 Critical Needs Language Supplement for the study of Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian, Turkic Persian, and Indic languages. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, receive the Pell Grant, attend a 2-year or 4-year college or university, and participate in a study abroad program. Important notes: Requires institutional endorsement. Applicants must receive a Federal Pell Grant to be eligible for the Gilman Scholarship. Applicants must be studying abroad at least four weeks in one country. Programs going to more than one country are eligible if the student will be studying in one country for at least four weeks. Summer only study abroad programs are not eligible.
Goldwater Scholarship
Website
Description: The Goldwater offers scholarships to rising juniors and seniors of up to $7500 per year. Applicants must have outstanding academic potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, natural sciences, and engineering. The scholarship covers eligible expenses including undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Eligibility: Applicants must be a full-time sophomore or junior pursuing a degree at an accredited university, have a GPA of at least a "B," and be U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Important notes: Applicants must go through a campus selection process and be nominated by the university. JMU can nominate up to four students. Students who plan to study medicine are eligible for the Goldwater only if they plan a research career rather than a career as a medical doctor in a private practice.
James Madison Fellowships
Description: The James Madison Fellowship Foundation offers funding to a select group of individuals desiring to become outstanding teachers of the American Constitution. The maximum amount of the award is $24,000 (no more than $12,000 per academic year) to cover the costs of tuition, required fees, books, and room and board. Eligibility: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national; be a teacher or plan to become a teacher of American history, government, or social studies at the secondary level; possess a bachelor's degree by August 31 of the year in which they are applying; and wait at least three years from the time that any previous graduate degree was awarded before applying for a James Madison Fellowship. Important notes: After earning a master's degree, fellows must teaching American history, government, or social studies in grades 7-12 for no less than one year for each full academic year of study under the fellowship.
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Description: Provides fellowships to students of superior academic ability to undertake study at the doctoral and Master of Fine Arts level in selected fields of arts, humanities, and social sciences. Recipients are selected on the basis of demonstrated achievement, financial need, and exceptional promise. Covers tuition and provides recipients with a stipend based on financial need. Eligibility: Applicants must be undergraduate students about to enter graduate school and graduate students who have not yet completed their first year of graduate study and plan to pursue a doctoral degree in approved fields within the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Applicants intending to pursue a master's degree can receive the fellowship if the master's degree is the highest degree in the field. Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens or nationals, permanent residents, and citizens of one of the Freely Associated States. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Important notes: Candidates must demonstrate financial need by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Description: The purpose of the Marshall Scholarship is to finance young Americans of high ability to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. The Marshall Scholarship funds two years of graduate study at an academic institution in the UK in any field of study. It covers university fees, living expenses, books, and fares to and from the United States. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens who will have a bachelor's degree by the time they begin the scholarship. The minimum GPA is 3.7. Applicants must have graduated from their undergraduate institution after April 2005. Important notes: Candidates must be nominated by their university and participate in a campus selection process. Applications must be made in one of eight regions of the United States. Candidates can apply in only one region-either the one in which they have their permanent home address or the one in which they are studying.
Description: Named to honor the former U.S. Senator's pivotal contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process, the George J. Mitchell Scholarships are intended to familiarize and connect the next generation of American leaders with Ireland. The Mitchell Scholarship funds one year of post-graduate study in any discipline offered by an institution of higher learning in Ireland or Northern Ireland. The scholarship covers tuition, housing, a living expenses stipend, and a travel stipend. Evaluation criteria include academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to service. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, between the ages of 18 and 29 on October 1, 2007, and hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university before beginning study under the Mitchell Scholarship. Important notes: Candidates must be nominated by their university and participate in a campus selection process.
Description:
Among the NSF programs of interest to graduate students is the Graduate Research Fellowship Awards. Through this program the National Science Foundation (NSF) seeks to ensure the vitality of the human resource base of science, mathematics, engineering and the social sciences in the United States and to reinforce its diversity. The NSF awards approximately 1,000 new three-year Graduate Research Fellowships in March of each year. NSF Fellows are expected to contribute significantly to research, teaching, and industrial applications in science, mathematics, and engineering. Eligibility: Applicants must be United States citizens or nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States. Those eligible to apply are college seniors, first-year graduate students, and others who have completed a limited amount of graduate study in science, mathematics, or engineering. Important notes: Women who intend to pursue graduate degrees in engineering or in computer and information science and engineering and who meet the eligibility requirements above can apply for the additional WENG or WICS awards.
NOAA Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Ernest F. Hollings (Hollings) scholarship program is designed to:
1. increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster
multidisciplinary training opportunities;
2. increase public understanding and support for stewardship of the ocean and atmosphere and improve environmental literacy;
3. recruit and prepare students for public service careers with NOAA and other natural resource and science agencies at the
federal, state and local levels of government; and
4. recruit and prepare students for careers as teachers and educators in oceanic and atmospheric science and to improve scientific
and environmental education in the United States.
The Hollings Scholarship Program provides successful undergraduate applicants with awards that include academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000 per year) for full-time study during the 9-month academic year; a 10-week, full-time internship position ($650/week) during the summer at a NOAA facility; and, if reappointed, academic assistance (up to a maximum of $8,000) for full-time study during a second 9-month academic year. The internship between the first and second years of the award provides the Scholars with "hands-on"/ practical educational training experience in NOAA-related science, research, technology, policy, management, and education activities. Awards also include travel funds to attend a mandatory Hollings Scholarship Program orientation, conferences where students present a paper or poster, and a housing subsidy for scholars who do not reside at home during the summer internship.
NSEP David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships
Description: Awards scholarships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests. This includes Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. Study abroad programs must include a foreign language component. The maximum award is $8000 for the summer, $10,000 for a semester, and $20,000 for a full academic year. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, must be an enrolled student at an accredited college or university, must be applying to attend a study abroad program in an approved world region, and must plan to use the scholarship before they graduate. Important notes: Requires institutional endorsement. There is a service requirement. Recipients must work in the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or in the intelligence community.
Description: The Rhodes Scholarship funds two years of study at the University of Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. The scholarship covers all educational costs, provides a living stipend, and covers the cost of travel to and from Oxford. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be at least 18 but not yet 24 years old on October 1, 2007, and must complete a bachelor's degree by October 1, 2008. Important notes: Applicants must apply to one of 16 districts, either the district where their permanent home is located or where their school is located. Applicants must be endorsed by their institution.
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships
Description: The Ambassadorial Scholarships provide $23,000 for one academic year of study in another country where a Rotary club is located. The covers costs associated with round-trip transportation, tuition, fees, room and board expenses, and educational supplies. Recipients are expected to participate in a formal course of study at a university but do not need to pursue a graduate degree. Eligibility: Applicants must be citizens of a country where there are Rotary clubs; have completed at least two years of college-level coursework; and must be proficient in a language of the proposed host country. Relatives or dependents of Rotarians are not eligible. Important notes: Applicants must apply through a local Rotary club.
Science Graduate Fellowship Program
Office of Science Graduate Fellowship Program The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) has established the DOE Office of Science Graduate Fellowship ( DOE SCGF) program to support outstanding students to pursue graduate training in basic research in areas of physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computational sciences, and environmental sciences relevant to the Office of Science and to encourage the development of the next generation scientific and technical talent in the U.S.
The Fellowship award provides partial tuition support, an annual stipend for living expenses, and a research stipend for full-time graduate study and thesis/dissertation research at a U.S. academic institution for three years.
SMART Scholarship for Service Program
The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is part of a highly concentrated effort to improve the flow of new, highly skilled technical labor into the Department of Defense (DoD). The purpose is to promote the education, recruitment and retention of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students in science, mathematics, and engineering studies; the DoD is also interested in supporting the education of future scientists and engineers in a number of interdisciplinary areas. SMART Scholars are awarded an annual stipend, full tuition, required fees, health insurance, and up to $1000 book allowance per year. The SMART Program will allow individuals to acquire an education in exchange for a period of employment with the Department of Defense. The program is intended for citizens of the United States; students must be at least 18 years of age at the time of award.
Soros Fellowships for New Americans
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Description: The purpose of the fellowship is to provide opportunities for continuing generations of able and accomplished New Americans to achieve leadership in their chosen fields. The Soros Foundation provides up to $20,000 plus one-half tuition for two years of graduate study for new Americans. Eligibility: A New American is an individual who is (1) a resident alien (holds a Green Card), (2) has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen, or (3) is the child of two parents who are both naturalized citizens. Applicants may not be older than 30 on November 1, 2007, and they must be a college senior, hold a bachelor's degree, or be enrolled in graduate school.
Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Description: The Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State. It seeks to recruit talented students in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. The fellowship award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees for the first and second year of graduate study. Graduate-level fellows receive stipends during participation in a domestic summer internship and an overseas internship. Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of three years' service in an appointment as a Foreign Service officer. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, have an undergraduate GPA of 3.2 or higher, and must be seeking admission to graduate school for the following academic year. Selected applicants are expected to enroll in a two-year, full-time master's degree program in public policy, international affairs, or public administration, or in an academic field such as business, economics, political science, sociology, or foreign languages. Important notes: This fellowship has a service requirement.
Thomas R. Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship
Description: The Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Department of State. It seeks to recruit talented students in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy. The fellowship award includes tuition, room, board, and mandatory fees during junior and senior years of college and during the first year of graduate study. Fellows must participate in one overseas and one domestic summer internship within the U.S. Department of State. Each successful candidate is obligated to a minimum of four-and-one-half years' service in an appointment as a Foreign Service officer. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens, must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2, and must be in the junior year of undergraduate study. Important notes: This fellowship has a service requirement.
Truman Scholarship
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Description: The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. The Truman Scholarship Foundation seeks to support college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, nonprofit, education, and other public service fields. It provides financial support for graduate study, leadership training, and fellowship with other students committed to making a difference through public service. Eligibility: Applicants must be U.S. citizens (or expect to receive citizenship by the date the scholarship will be awarded) and full-time students pursuing a bachelor's degree with junior-level academic standing (or senior-level standing in their third year of college enrollment) at the time that they apply. Important notes: Applicants must go through a campus selection process and be nominated by their university. There is a service requirement. Recipients are required to work in public service for three of the seven years following the completion of their graduate degree programs. Candidates should be registered for the online application by January 31, 2008.
Description: The Udall provides up to $5000 to sophomores or juniors for study about the environment or Native American health and public policy. Scholarships are offered to students who have a demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment and to Native American students who have a demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy or Native American health care. Eligibility: Candidates must be sophomore or junior-level students at an institution of higher education pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree; be committed to a career related to the environment; have a college GPA of at least a "B;" be pursuing full-time study; and be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident. Native Americans and Alaska Natives applicants must be committed to pursue a career in tribal public policy or Native American health care. Important notes: Candidates must be nominated by their universities.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Undergraduate Scholarships & Graduate Fellowships
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Undergraduate Scholarships and Graduate Fellowships The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) realizes that the country's strong science and technology community provides a critical advantage in the development and implementation of counter-terrorist measures and other DHS objectives. The DHS Scholarship and Fellowship Program is intended for students interested in pursuing the basic science and technology innovations that can be applied to the DHS mission. This education program is intended to ensure a diverse and highly talented science and technology community to achieve the DHS mission and objectives. Areas of study that are eligible include: physical, mathematical, computer and information, life, and social sciences, psychology, selected humanities, and engineering. funding is available on both the undergraduate and graduate level.
