Opportunities
Language Study
If you are interested in studying a language deemed critical to US national security, check out some of the opportunities listed below! These are languages typically spoken outside of Western Europe, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Arabic, Hindi, or Swahili.
Boren Scholarships and Fellowships are unique funding opportunities for students (undergraduate and graduate) to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. national security interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholarships are for undergraduate students and Fellowships are for graduate students. Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government in the field of national security for at least one year after graduation.
Eligibility: US Citizen; undergraduate or graduate student; semester or academic year-long language program (or 8+ weeks for STEM majors). You must remain matriculated at USF during the duration of your program.
When is the national deadline? Late January – for study programs the following summer, fall, and spring semesters
When should you come see us? Early October
What is the application timeline? Students will begin working on first drafts of application essays three to five months before the national deadline (after our initial appointment). Students often move at their own pace in the drafting process, getting through as many drafts as they feel comfortable within the time period. We will review essays up until mid-December to allow time for the required campus evaluation process. Applicants submit the names of two to three recommendation letter writers in early October when they declare their intent to apply, and drafts of the letters will be due for feedback in early December.
ONS Contact: nationalscholarships@usf.edu
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a fully-funded summer overseas intensive language program and structured cultural enrichment experience designed to promote rapid language gains. CLS is part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security.
Eligibility: US Citizen, enrolled in degree-seeking program (undergraduate or graduate) at time of application, some languages require previous study
When is the national deadline? Late November
When should you come see us? Introductory appointments for CLS typically begin in August, September, or October. Students will also need to be in communication with recommendation letter writers early in the fall semester.
What is the application timeline? Students work at their own pace on essays between October and mid-November. Students submit the names of two recommendation letter writers in early October when they declare their intent to apply, and drafts of the letters will be due for feedback in early November. We try to have all application materials finalized before Thanksgiving break.
ONS Contact: nationalscholarships@usf.edu
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Preference goes to students studying Asian language and culture. The proposed length of study in the host country must be a minimum of 8 weeks for a summer term, 10 weeks for a quarter term, and 12 weeks for a semester term.
Eligibility: US Citizen or Permanent Resident, undergraduate, high financial need, 8+ weeks credit-bearing program, 2.8+ GPA
When is the national deadline? Early April
When should you come see us? Freeman-ASIA has moved to one deadline per year, so students will apply the spring before they study abroad. If a student is studying abroad for a spring semester, they will be applying a full year in advance. If students are applying for the Gilman Scholarship, we will work with them to adapt their essays immediately after the Gilman deadline in early March. If the student is not applying for Gilman, we should be meeting for the first time in January or February.
What is the application timeline? For Gilman Scholarship applicants, the process is a fairly quick adaption of existing essays. For students not applying for Gilman, we will set up an essay-drafting schedule that works for the student beginning in February. We typically review drafts up until the week before the national deadline.
ONS Contact: Ms. Lauren Roberts, robertsl1@usf.edu
The U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.
Eligibility: US Citizen, undergraduate, Pell Grant recipient, 3+ weeks credit-bearing program
When is the national deadline?
-Spring and Early Decision Summer: Early October
-Summer, Fall, and Full Year: Early March
When should you come see us?
-If you are studying abroad in the summer, there are two opportunities to apply for Gilman in October and March, so ideal times to come in would be August/Early September and January.
-Spring study abroad applicants should come see us in August/Early September.
-Fall study abroad applicants should come see us in January.
What is the application timeline? Students will begin working on first drafts of application essays one to two months before the national deadline (after our initial appointment). Students often move at their own pace in the drafting process, getting through as many drafts as they feel comfortable within the time period. We will review essays up until a week before the national deadline.
ONS Contact: gilmanadvisors@usf.edu