Morris K. Udall Undergraduate Scholarship*Gustavus Fellowships Office

Initial Gustavus Deadline: December 1, 2009 (noon)
Campus Interview: N/A
Final Gustavus Deadline: Application on February 11, 2010 (noon)
Recommendations on February 25, 2010
Web site: www.udall.gov
Campus Contact: Alisa Rosenthal, Fellowships Coordinator

Description

Established by Congress in 1992 to honor Morris K. Udall’s thirty years of service in the House of Representatives, the Morris K. Udall Foundation is dedicated to educating a new generation of Americans to preserve and protect their national heritage through studies in the environment and Native American health and tribal public policy. The Udall Foundation is also committed to promoting the principles and practices of environmental conflict resolution.

Scholarships are offered in any of three categories:

• To students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment
• To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy
• To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care

The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning, and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. The Foundation also seeks future Native American and Alaska Native leaders in public community health care, tribal government and public policy affecting Native American communities, including land and resource management, economic development, and education.

Benefits

In 2010, the Foundation expects to award 80 scholarships and 50 honorable mentions on the basis of merit to sophomore and junior level college students. Udall Scholarships provide the Scholar up to $5,000 and may be used for tuition, fees, books, room and board, or other specifically approved expenses. Recipients also participate in a four-day Udall Scholars Orientation with travel from the Scholar’s home or school, lodging, and meals provided by the Foundation and become part of a national network of Udall Scholars.

Eligibility

• Be a matriculated sophomore or junior-level student at a two-year or four-year institution of higher education, pursuing a bachelor’s or associate’s degree during the 2009-2010 academic year. "Sophomore" is defined as a student who intends at least two more years of full-time undergraduate study beginning in fall 2010. "Junior" is defined as a student who intends at least one more year of full-time undergraduate study beginning in fall 2010. (Students may apply for funding in both their sophomore and junior years; 3rd time applicants, however, will not be eligible.)
• Be committed to a career related to the environment, OR committed to a career in tribal public policy OR Native American health care (only Native Americans and Alaska Natives** are eligible to apply in tribal public policy or Native American health care). Native American students studying tribal public policy or native health do not need to demonstrate commitment to the environment. Likewise, students pursuing environmentally related careers do not need to be Native American, nor do they need to demonstrate commitment to tribal public policy or Native health.
• Have a college grade-point average of at least a "B" or the equivalent.
• Be pursuing full-time study during the 2010-2010 academic year.
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.

Gustavus’ Internal Selection Process

Applicants are divided into two categories:

1. Those who are college sophomores or juniors in the current academic year, have outstanding potential, and whose area of study is the environment, and
2. Native American and Alaska Native students who are college sophomores or juniors in the current academic year, have outstanding potential, and are in fields related to health care or tribal public policy.

The College is allowed to nominate a total of six students from either or both categories.

The Selection Committee will review the materials listed below to select Gustavus’ six nominees. To be considered, applicants must bring five collated packets of the following materials to the Gustavus Fellowships Office by the INITIAL GUSTAVUS DEADLINE (see above):

• A completed draft of a Morris K Udall Undergraduate Scholarship Nominee Information Form, except for the 800-word essay and letters of recommendation. Do not submit the full essay or letters of recommendation at this stage in the application process. (Please download Nominee Information Form from the Web site.)
• A very brief statement (no more than a half page) indentifying a significant public speech, legislative act, or public policy statement by Congressman Udall and its impact on your field of study, interests, and career goals.
• The names of the three people who will be submitting letters of recommendation and their relationship to you
• Unofficial transcript (print off of WebAdvisor)
• Current resume

Materials for Final Consideration

If you receive Gustavus’ nomination, it is your responsibility to continue revising and collecting your materials. By the FINAL GUSTAVUS DEADLINE a Gustavus nominee must submit the items listed below to the Gustavus Fellowships Office, which will send all materials directly to the program for further consideration.

• Nomination Information Form with signature
• 800-word essay with signature
• Current transcript
• Other transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Copy of tribal enrollment card or other tribal verification (for applicants in tribal public policy and Native American health care)
• Copy of Permanent Resident card and letter of intent to become a U.S. citizen (for U.S. permanent residents)
• Voluntary Nominee Survey
• Institutional Nomination Form, which the Gustavus Fellowships Office will complete for you

Please note that applicants are responsible for all photocopying needed for the internal selection process and as required by the foundation.