How the ONSA Works

Applying for major scholarships is like taking a 3-credit course, expect 30-50 hours of work. 

You will:

• Reflect on your background and goals
• Explore matches with major scholarships 
• Develop 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 and revise application materials
• Meet with 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 all digital material to scholarship portals

• Information source by supplying you with scholarship details, procedures, and timelines. We'll also help you determine eligibility, fit, and competitiveness.
• Tutor by reviewing drafts (if allowed by award), suggesting revisions, reminding you of program expectations, and helping you prepare for interviews.
• Facilitator by offering guidance for letter-writers, holistic application oversight, and reminding you of internal deadlines and required materials.
• Coordinator by making sure your materials are received before the Campus Deadline, distributed to nomination committees, and we'll help with the coordination of nomination interviews.

Additional ONSA support includes:

• Overseeing the writing of the University letter of endorsement (if required)
• Monitoring completion of all parts of the application (Letters, transcripts, etc.)
• Submitting completed applications to the program, if the program requires
• Co-ordinating mock interviews

Completing these applications will require in-depth research.

For instance:

• The UK Scholarships stress that the program and degree should 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 may take some reflection and additional research.

Make sure the scholarship is a good fit for you. Ask yourself: 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 exceptionally high (especially for Truman, Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater, and NSF GRFP).
  • Do you have demonstrable impact in your field/community already? 
  • Do you have teaching experience or an interest in cultural exchange? 

• Independent work is the best evidence of genuine interest, capability, and/or leadership skills. If your record of achievement is solely summed up by successful classroom experiences, you may not be a strong contender in most of these competitions. 
  • Good examples of independent work can include work accomplished through a thesis, research project, internship, and/or the creation and initiation of a community program.
• For some, but not all scholarships, applicants need a high GPA of 3.8 at a 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.

Remember: 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 whom 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 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 ends 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 email with a brief description of each one and 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.

Show gratitude

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.

Before applying for a Fulbright Award, it’s essential to understand the affiliation process and prepare thoroughly.

Keep the following key points in mind as you navigate your application:
Closely read your program’s award profile

Closely 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 hosting 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 your Fulbright affiliation process 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.