How ONSA Works

Plan on the equivalent of a 3-credit course, about 30-50 hours of work to go into your applications. You will:

• Reflect on your background and aims
• Explore matches with major scholarships 
• Devise educational/professional strategy (both with and without a major scholarship in the picture)
• Research possible programs of study or projects to propose
• Discuss plans with mentors, faculty, and advisors
• Request letters of recommendation and transcripts in a timely manner
• Write, revise, rewrite, revise your responses to applications.
• Speak to ONSA mentors
• Revisit your application and revise again!
• Submit the complete application by the Campus Deadline
• Prepare for the Nomination Review

If you are nominated by ONSA, you will:

• Refine the final application packet
• Upload and check all digital material to scholarship portals
• If invited to Finalist interview, participate in mock interviews to prepare 

• Information source
  • Information on the scholarships; procedures and timelines
  • Assistance and hard questions to help you determine eligibility, fit and competitiveness
• Tutor
  • Review of drafts (if allowed by award), suggestions for revisions, reminders of program expectations, preparation for interviews
• Facilitator
  • Guidance for letter-writers; oversight of application as a whole; reminders of internal deadlines and required materials
• Coordinator
  • Receipt of material for Campus Deadline; distribution of nomination committees; coordination of nomination interviews

In addition, ONSA will:

• Oversee writing the University letter of endorsement (if required)
• Monitor completion of all parts of the application (Letters, transcripts, etc.)
• Submit completed applications to program, if program requires
• Co-ordinate mock interviews

• Completing these applications will require research: 
  • The UK Scholarships stress the need-to-know what program and degree suit the applicant’s background and goals
  • Truman, Goldwater and Udall have similar expectations
  • The Fulbright application requires a project that suits the country and the applicant’s background and is doable in the timeframe- this takes reflection and research.
• Fit: What is the candidate profile of the scholarship you are applying for?
  • The level of leadership and/or achievement in the field expected by most scholarships is exceptional high. Do you have demonstrable impact in your field/community already? –Truman, Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater, NSF GRFP
  • Do you have teaching experience, an interest in cultural exchange? Fulbright ETA 
• Independent work- for instance accomplished through a thesis, research project, internship, the creation and initiation of some community program—is the best evidence of genuine interest, capability, and/or leadership skills. If the record of achievement is almost solely summed up by successful classroom experiences the applicant will not be a strong contender in most of these competitions. 
• GPA: For some, but not all scholarships, applicants need a high GPA of 3.8 at minimum
• University nomination is often required. Applicants must contact ONSA far ahead of the campus deadline to discuss candidacy. Applicants will submit a completed application to ONSA. A university campus committee will review the applications, interview candidates and may or may not nominate them. Many programs limit the number of students who may be nominated. 

Ask early and ask in person

Ask well in advance of the deadline: three weeks minimum. Also, ask in person, if possible. Asking for a recommendation at the last minute will earn you a short, hurried letter that might not be as helpful as it could have been had you given your recommender ample time to write an excellent letter. If the person you ask to be a recommendation says “No”, do not press. Trying to talk professors or individuals into writing a letter they do not wish to write or feel comfortable writing will not serve you well. Instead, thank them for their time, and approach another individual who you feel would be a good recommendation.

Make sure it is a glowing and personalized recommendation

Ask someone who knows more about you than just your GPA or information gleaned from your resume. Ask someone who can tell positive stories about your academic, community, or campus involvement.

Make it easy for them to write your recommendation

Be sure to talk with your recommender to discuss the scholarship application.

When you meet, outline scholarship selection criteria and provide input about what should be stressed in the letter. Be sure to mention critical information. For example, share with you recommender that the scholarship is aimed at first-generation students or that the leadership should be emphasized. This will affect the shape of the letter and increase your chances of applying successfully.

Also be sure to mention any extenuating circumstances that might explain a weakness in your application. If your grades are not flawless, but you are working 10, 20, 30 hours a week to make end meet, you should make sure your recommender mentions this.

Provide your recommender with the following:

1. A copy of the application that includes your essay answers if at all possible. If your application is not yet complete, then provide a general personal statement. If you are applying to a variety of scholarships, send an e-mail with a brief description of each one what the recommendation letter should emphasize. Check the National Scholarships List on ONSA’s website for more details.
2. A current resume or a list of your activities and honors.
3. Official recommendation forms or links. Be sure to complete any sections that pertain to you.
4. Make sure you have signed and waived your right to access under the Family Educational and Privacy Act (FERPA) and completed the ONSA Waiver Form.

Show grattitude

Definitely say Thank You! Send the professors or individuals who took the time to write your recommendation a thank you letter or note and keep them updated on the outcome of your application.

Closley read your program’s award profile

Each Fulbright Award’s requirements vary slightly. Make sure to fully read the host affiliation requirements in the summary of the country to which you are applying. According to Fulbright, “Affiliation arrangements vary by country and may not be required at the time of application. Carefully review the affiliation information provided in the award summary for your host country. All academic grantees must have an affiliation in the host country.

Countries differ in the kinds of host affiliations that are acceptable. Examples of affiliations include universities, laboratories, libraries, non-governmental organizations, and so on. Pay special attention to the requirements in some countries to attend classes and/or affiliate with academic institutions.”

You can find your specific award using the Award Search engine on the Fulbright website.

Choose the most appropriate affiliation for your project

Your affiliation is the person who commits to host you in your chosen country. In other words, the affiliation is your host country advisor who will provide support for your project. “If the proposal contains a strong research component, you must have host country contacts that can support the research, provide access to required resources, and/or advise you during the grant period. It is your responsibility to identify, contact, and secure an affiliation from a potential adviser.”

Fulbright identifies several avenues for finding your affiliation/host country advisor:

• Faculty at your home campus.
• International students.
• Visiting Fulbright Professors in the U.S. or U.S. Fulbright Scholars who had grants to your host country. Directories are available here.
• Internet searches of faculty at potential host institutions with your interests, or organizations in the host country that work with issues related to your topic.
• Other U.S. academics with expertise in the location/subject matter of the proposed project.
• Contacts from previous experience abroad.
• Educational Advising sections of Embassies or Consulates of your potential host country.

Start early

It takes time to identify an affiliation and it takes time for that person to complete their affiliation letter. Fulbright requires the affiliation letter by the application deadline. You need to begin looking for your affiliation several months before the deadline to give yourself plenty of time to meet with the affiliation via phone call, Zoom, or in person if possible, form a positive working relationship, and thoroughly discuss and make plans for your research.

Request the affiliation letter

Once you have identified your chosen affiliation, reach out to them and ask if they are willing to write you an affiliation letter. You should also send them a copy of your Statement of Grant Purpose.

The affiliation letter should:

• Indicate the author’s willingness to work with you on the intended project
• Speak to the feasibility and validity of the project that is being proposed
• Provide a description of any additional resources to contacts that the advisor an provide to support the project

Submitting the letter:

• “Scanned versions of the original hard-copy letters with hand-written signatures should be uploaded into the application. Letter writers can either send the original hard-copy letters or electronic copies to the applicants.
• Since affiliation letters are not confidential, you will upload the letter yourself into the online application system. Affiliation letters written in a foreign language must be translated into English and both the original letters and the English-language translations must be uploaded into the application. An ‘official’ translation of the letter is not required.
• Instructions on uploading letters of affiliation are available in the Fulbright online application system.  IIE will not accept any affiliation letters via email or fax.”

Letter formatting:

• “The affiliation letter must be printed on institutional letterhead and must be signed by the author.
• Copies of email correspondence will not be accepted.
• Do not upload any documents other than a letter of affiliation to this field of the application. Uploading extraneous materials to this field may result in your application being deemed ineligible.”

Show gratitude

Definitely say Thank You! Send your affiliation who took the time to write your affiliation and commit to host you in their country a thank you letter or note and keep them updated on the outcome of your application.