Scholarships available
On this page you will find important information about scholarships available to you, not only through SPAN, the Student Project for Amity among Nations, but also through other sources such as the University of Minnesota's Learning Abroad Center. The following scholarship listed below have different eligibility criteria and different deadlines so please pay careful attention to what scholarship application is due and when. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the SPAN office.
Scholarships Available through SPAN
SPAN scholarship applications and materials are due by February 28, 2008 to the SPAN office.
The SPAN Ruth Elliff Memorial Scholarship
This fund was established in 1991 in memory of Ruth Elliff, a SPANner to Colombia in 1950. Ruth was the first salaried executive secretary for SPAN in 1951, and after her SPAN experience she served as a United Nations intern. She was a retired deputy staff chief at the Central Intelligence Agency. SPAN has received a generous gift from Ruth's family and each year all students are eligible for a $250 scholarship. To be eligible for this award the student must fulfill all requirements of SPAN, including but not limited to: attendance to all SPAN days, completion of office hours, and participation in the Phon-A-Thon.
The Anne E. Hammill Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was first awarded in 2001 in remembrance of Anne Hammill, a SPANner to Finland in 1957. Anne's interest involved the fields of agriculture and applied economics, and wrote her SPAN paper on "The Peat Soils of Finland". Preference for this $500 scholarship will be given to a U of M student studying Applied Economics, but if there is no student with the preferred area of study, then the scholarship will be awarded to a student who has gone "above and beyond" the expectations of the program and who embodies the ideals and spirit of SPAN.
Application requirements:
1. Complete and sign SPAN's financial resources disclosure.
2. Submit a 1-2 page typed statement addressing the following: What is the value of international education for you and for students in general? Why did you choose the SPAN program and country? What is your background in international affairs? How do you expect that this experience will affect your academic and career goals? Please be specific.
3. A 1-2 page typed statement addressing why you believe you reflect Anne's background and how your intended project focuses on aspects of applied economics or agriculture. If you do not meet these criteria, please address how you have gone beyond expectations and how your intended project reflects the ideals and spirit of SPAN.
The Judee J. Kleffmann Memorial Scholarship
This is a scholarship fund created in memory of Judee J. Kleffmann, who was a SPANner to Ghana in 1961 and the SPAN Program Coordinator from 1981-1985. Each year two SPAN students receive this $500 scholarship. It is open to students going to African countries; if there is no SPAN country to Africa, then it is open to students going to lesser socio-economically developed countries. Criteria are financial need and a commitment to participation in international affairs.
Application requirements:
1. Complete and sign SPAN's financial resources disclosure.
2. Submit a 1-2 page typed statement addressing the following: What is the value of international education for you and for students in general? Why did you choose this study abroad program and country? What is your background in international affairs? How do you expect this experience will affect your academic and career goals? Please be specific.
The John D. Lindstrom Scholarship
In gratitude for, and in remembrance of his SPAN experience to Turkey in 1954, and with the hope that many succeeding generations of University of Minnesota students may have the same opportunity, Mr. Lindstrom has established this scholarship. This $500 scholarship will help provide financial support to someone wishing to participate in the SPAN experience. Preference will be given first for students in the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Science, then students in the College of Human Ecology, and finally, to any qualified SPAN student.
Application requirements:
Applicants need to answer all the questions listed below in no more than a four-paged typed essay. Please provide an unofficial copy of your transcript along with the application.
1. Introductory information: Name, Current address and phone number, Permanent address and phone number, College and year, Major/Minor
2. Study Project Information: Proposed title of project, Country project will take place in, What is hoped to be learned from this project, How the project will be outlined (how you will prepare for this project, what your sources for learning about the topic before and during your travel will be, what questions you will explore, what cities you will be in and for how long, etc.), What past experience you have that prepares you for this project, and Why you want to study this topic and how it relates to your future goals.
The Inez Wangaard Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in 1995 in memory of Inez Wangaard was was a SPANner to Guatemala in 1948. All SPAN participants are eligible. The committee seeks students who exemplify the personality, values, and goals of Inez Wangaard, some of which include a strong commitment to women's issues and international understanding. One $300 scholarship is awarded each year.
Requirements:
1. Complete and sign SPAN's financial resources disclosure.
2. Submit a 1-2 page typed statement addressing the following: What is the value of international education for you and for students in general? Why did you choose the SPAN program and country? What is your background in international affairs? How do you expect that this experience will affect your academic and career goals? Please be specific.
University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Scholarships
These scholarships are administered by the Learning Abroad Center and are separate from the SPAN program. Any U of M student participating in a study abroad experience can apply for this scholarship. The application due date for summer session is March 14, 2008 no later than 4:00 p.m.in the Learning Abroad Center. The following link has more information: http://www.umabroad.umn.edu/financial/scholarships/deadlines.html
Otherwise, you can find the scholarship by visiting the Learning Abroad Center Web site, click on "Scholarships".
Other scholarships
American Research Center in Sofia 2008/2009 Fellowship Competition
For the academic year 2008/2009, the American Research Center in Sofia, Bulgaria (ARCS) will offer three programs with accompanying fellowships: a 9-month program for the period of September-May; a fall term program for the period September-November; and a spring term program for the period February-April. ARCS will host the programs' lectures and seminars, organized related trips, and facilitate opportunities for taking Bulgarian and other Balkan language classes, logistical support, and access to local libraries, museums, and other educational institutions.
1. Those interested in the 9-month program (only for graduate students) will devote one term of their choice to independent research and travel, and participate in the ARCS academic program during the other term. The content of the Fall and Spring programs is described below.
2. The Fall Term program is intended for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, scholars and teachers interested in the history, material culture, and civilization of Bulgaria and the Balkan region. The term of the program is from the first Monday of September through the last Saturday of November. The first part of the program consists of lectures, seminars and trips relation to the period of antiquity to the present day. The second part of the program will include independent research in local libraries and optional trips.
The Spring Term program is intended for graduate and advanced undergraduate students, teachers and scholars interested in the history of religion in Bulgaria from antiquity to the 20th century, including ancient religion, Christianity (Orthodoxy, Catholicism, and other Christian faiths and movements), Judaism, and Islam. The term of the program is from the first Monday of February to the last Saturday of April. The first part of the program will consist of lectures and seminars by local experts, and the second part of the program will include independent research in local libraries and trips to famous Bulgarian religious sites (many of which are part of the worlds' cultural heritage).
Eligibility and Application requirements: Graduate and Advanced undergraduate students at educational institutions registered in North America regardless of their citizenship, are eligible for fellowships. Students with partial support or without support from ARCS can apply for alternative sources of funding. Faculty member at these institutions are welcome to participate in the programs or part thereof, but are not eligible for fellowships. Please visit the ARCS website http://www.einaudi.cornell.edu/arcs/ to download the application form and obtain more information or contact Professor Kevin Clinton via email at kmc1@cornell.edu.
Graduate students: Please submit a project proposal (up to three double-spaced pages) describing how participation in the ARCS Fall/Spring or 9-month program will serve your academic interests and or dissertation research. The proposal, together with the application form, a CV, copies of official transcripts from each graduate institution you have attended, and two letters of reference with your academic work, should be mailed to the Chair of the Fellowship Committee, Professor Kevin Clinton, 120 Goldwin Smith Hall, Department of Classics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Advanced Undergraduate students: Please submit a project proposal (up to three double-spaced pages) describing how participation in the ARCS Fall/Spring program will serve your academic interests. The proposal, together with the application form, a CV, copies of official transcripts from each undergraduate institution you have attended, and two letters of reference in a signed sealed envelope from professors who are familiar with your academic work, should be mailed to the Chair of the Fellowship Committee (address as above).
Application deadline: January 30, 2008
Departmental Scholarships
Please be aware that scholarship deadlines vary by department and scholarship. So pay careful attention to due dates!
History Department: The History Department gives out various scholarships to History majors. Some of them pertain to a research project that a student wishes to do, which fits perfectly with SPAN. To find out more click on the link: http://www.hist.umn.edu/undergraduate/scholarinfo.html
Journalism Department: The Journalism Department gives out various scholarships to Journalism majors. Check it out at their website: http://sjmc.umn.edu/undergrads/scholarslist.html
Political Science: For Political Science majors. Their website is: http://www.polisci.umn.edu/ugrad/scholarships.html
These are obviously just a few departments, and more will probably be added, but it would be a good idea to check your college website. The College of Liberal Arts-Honors has a comprehensive site and list for CLA majors (I don't think admittance to an honors program is required), and you can check it out at this website: http://cla.umn.edu/honors/scholdept.htm
Other scholarships can be found at various websites and through google or other search engines. One scholarship website is called fastweb.com. It's free but you do have to create a username and password and you get weekly updates about new scholarships. Also, the SPAN office has a detailed book of scholarships that SPAN students have access to on a daily basis.
Other websites that you may find helpful in finding funds for your trip are:
www.studentscholarshipsearch.com
Some of these sites have scholarships with deadlines coming up, so you want to take a look right away. There are also some that could count for your trip but when you are back in the states.