Fall 2020 Information Sessions for Undergraduates
The NSO will be hosting the following information sessions this fall. Each of these awards is open to undergraduate students (although some are restricted by class year–read the descriptions below).
All sessions will be hosted virtually on Zoom. Please use the links (“register here!”) below to register for an information session. Zoom links will be sent within 24 hours of a session to all students who have registered.
You can learn more about each of these awards by visiting the NSO website or by clicking on the name of the award below, which will take you to its official website.
August:
- Tuesday, August 25: 12-1pm – NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Seniors, first- and second-year graduate students are eligible for this NSF training grant intended to fund up to three years of graduate study in non-medical STEM fields. Register here! - Tuesday, August 25: 2-3pm – Harvard Public Policy and Leadership Conference
Open to first- and second-year undergraduates interested in a career in public service. This fully-funded long-weekend conference at Harvard provides opportunities for learning, networking, and preparing for graduate school applications. Register here! - Tuesday, August 25: 3:30-4:45pm – Critical Language Scholarship and Boren Awards (combined session)
Students of all years and all majors who are interested in the study of critical languages are encouraged to attend this information session about the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) and the Boren Awards. CLS funds a summer intensive language study abroad, while Boren funds a longer-term study abroad in a non-Western, non-English speaking country. Register here! - Wednesday, August 26: 1-2pm – Goldwater Scholarship
Sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing a research career in the STEM fields are encouraged to join the NSO for this information session about the Goldwater Scholarship. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 towards educational expenses per year held. Register here! - Wednesday, August 26: 2-3pm – Truman Scholarship
The Truman Scholarship is an opportunity for juniors interested in a career in public service to receive leadership development training, internship opportunities in Washington D.C., and up to $30,000 towards graduate school. Register here! - Thursday, August 27: 4-5pm – NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Seniors, first- and second-year graduate students are eligible for this NSF training grant intended to fund up to three years of graduate study in non-medical STEM fields. Register here! - Friday, August 28: 10-11am – Goldwater Scholarship
Sophomores and juniors interested in pursuing a research career in the STEM fields are encouraged to join the NSO for this information session about the Goldwater Scholarship. The scholarship provides up to $7,500 towards educational expenses per year held. Register here! - Friday, August 28: 1-2pm – Critical Language Scholarship
Students of all years and all majors who are interested in the study of critical languages are encouraged to attend this information session about the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS), which funds an intensive summer language study abroad in one of 15 languages. Register here!
September
- Thursday, September 17: 10-11am – Truman Scholarship
The Truman Scholarship is an opportunity for juniors interested in a career in public service to receive leadership development training, internship opportunities in Washington D.C., and up to $30,000 towards graduate school. Register here!
October
- Tuesday, October 6: 4-5pm – Princeton in Latin America (PiLA)
Open to seniors and recent grads with strong Spanish-language skills, this award places fellows in year-long service fellowships with nonprofit, public service, and humanitarian organizations in Latin America and the Caribbean. The program is separate from Princeton University and is open to students from all universities. The session will take place on Tuesday, October 6 at 4pm. Register here! - Friday, October 16: 2-3pm – RISE/SMART Scholarships
Open to undergraduates in STEM fields who have completed at least a year of study. RISE provides the funded opportunity to complete a research internship in a lab in Germany with students from Germany, Canada, the UK, and the US (working language is English!), while SMART offers funding for tuition and educational fees, and requires recipients to complete summer internships doing research in Department of Defense labs. Register here! - Tuesday, October 20: 12-1pm – RISE/SMART Scholarships
Open to undergraduates in STEM fields who have completed at least a year of study. RISE provides the funded opportunity to complete a research internship in a lab in Germany with students from Germany, Canada, the UK, and the US (working language is English!), while SMART offers funding for tuition and educational fees, and requires recipients to complete summer internships doing research in Department of Defense labs. Register here! - Thursday, October 29: 2-3pm – NSO General Information Session
The National Scholarship Office will offer two general information sessions aimed at students new to VCU, especially first-year and transfer students. These sessions will give an overview of some of the nationally and internationally competitive awards we advise for, how you can start now to become a competitive applicant, and how the NSO can support you throughout the application process. Register here! - Friday, October 30: 1-2pm – NSO General Information Session
The National Scholarship Office will offer two general information sessions aimed at students new to VCU, especially first-year and transfer students. These sessions will give an overview of some of the nationally and internationally competitive awards we advise for, how you can start now to become a competitive applicant, and how the NSO can support you throughout the application process. Register here!
November
- Wednesday, November 4: 11am-noon – Boren Awards
Students of all years and all majors who are interested in the study of critical languages are encouraged to attend this information session about the Boren Awards, which fund study abroad in non-Western, non-English speaking countries. The Boren Awards are intended to increase the number of US citizens who speak critical languages. Register here! - Wednesday, November 4: 2-3pm – Udall Scholarship
Sophomores and juniors who are interested in conservation and environmental issues, as well as Native American and Alaska Native students interested in healthcare or tribal policy, are encouraged to apply for the Udall Scholarship, which provides up to $7,000 towards educational expenses per year held. Register here! - Thursday, November 19: 12:30-1:30pm – Boren Awards
Students of all years and all majors who are interested in the study of critical languages are encouraged to attend this information session about the Boren Awards, which fund study abroad in non-Western, non-English speaking countries. The Boren Awards are intended to increase the number of US citizens who speak critical languages. Register here! - Thursday, November 19: 2-3pm – Udall Scholarship
Sophomores and juniors who are interested in conservation and environmental issues, as well as Native American and Alaska Native students interested in healthcare or tribal policy, are encouraged to apply for the Udall Scholarship, which provides up to $7,000 towards educational expenses per year held. Register here! - Friday, November 20: 1-2pm – Fulbright UK Summer Institutes
First- and second-year students are encouraged to apply for the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes, which fund three- or four-week study abroad opportunities at a prestigious university in the UK. Learn more about the award and how the NSO can support your application at one of two information sessions. Register here!
December
- Thursday, December 10: 12-1pm – Fulbright UK Summer Institutes
First- and second-year students are encouraged to apply for the Fulbright UK Summer Institutes, which fund three- or four-week study abroad opportunities at a prestigious university in the UK. Learn more about the award and how the NSO can support your application at one of two information sessions. Register here!