The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was established by Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry Goldwater. The Foundations purpose is to encourage the growth of well-trained scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. This is done by the annual award of scholarships to college students who intend to peruse research careers in these fields. Students may be awarded up to $7500 per year for a maximum of two years to cover tuition, fees, books, and room and board. *This is not an FIUbased scholarship, but a University nomination is required to compete for this award. *
Eligibility:
Campus Representative: William Szelistowski (szeliswa@eckerd.edu )
Campus Deadline:
GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS
A competitive application requires planning, attention to detail, and sufficient time to work with individuals who can support the student’s application. All applicants need to plan appropriately.
As materials are prepared, students should keep in mind that the Goldwater Scholarship is awarded to those who show the greatest potential for becoming one of the United States’ next generation of research leaders in the natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. All elements of an application should help the Foundation understand how you intend to be one of these leaders.
General guidance when preparing an application:
Carefully read and review all of the required application information and materials.
Contact the Goldwater Scholarship Campus Representative (CR) as early as possible to inform the CR of your interest in applying. Carefully follow your CR’s instructions regarding the campus application process.
Know and stay on top of all deadlines (including those set by your institution’s CR and those established by the Goldwater Program).
After discussing prospective references with your CR and determining whom you will ask to write your letters of recommendation, contact your letter writers as early as possible–no less than a month, but ideally more than a month in advance of the campus deadline.
Work with individuals who can assist and provide feedback throughout the application process (i.e., Goldwater CR, mentors and LOR writers).
Make certain the information provided is accurate and reported in a way that is asked for in the application.
Proofread, reflect, revise, and again proofread, reflect, revise–all application materials! Enlist others to review the application for science, grammar, format, etc.
STEPS IN THE NOMINATION PROCESS – STUDENT
STEP 1: Review the Goldwater Eligibility Requirements
Do you meet the college sophomore or junior definition? Do you have a GPA > 3.0 on a 4.0 scale? Do you intend to pursue a research career in the natural sciences, engineering, or mathematics? Are you a citizen or permanent resident? If you answered “yes” to these questions, then you are eligible for nomination for a Goldwater scholarship. You may review the Eligibility Requirements here.
If you are worried that you are not competitive enough, do NOT “count yourself out” without first talking with your Goldwater Campus Representative.
STEP 2: Identify Your School’s Goldwater Campus Representative (CR)
Identify your school’s CR by opening the Campus Representative Locator. If your school is not listed on the Locator, please contact the Goldwater Help Center at 507-931-8335 or by email at goldwater@scholarshipamerica.org.
STEP 3: Complete a Student Profile and Pre-Application and Contact your Goldwater Campus Representative
Complete the Student Profile and Goldwater Scholarship Pre-Application. When submitted, your student profile and pre-application are emailed to your campus’ CR. If you do not hear from your CR in a reasonable period of time (e.g., within a week), contact your CR at the email address or telephone number provided in the Locator. If you are unable to contact this person, call or email the Goldwater Help Center. Read more
STEP 4: Complete the Online Goldwater Application
The online application has several components, including: 1) online questionnaire, 2) research essay, 3) three letters of recommendation, 4) transcript(s), and 5) for a Permanent Resident, a copy of your Permanent Resident Card. Read more
STEP 5 – Nomination:
The names and the complete set of application materials for students selected as an institution’s Goldwater nominees must be uploaded to the Goldwater nomination site by an institution’s Campus Representative on or before the application deadline, the last Friday in January at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. Typically, CRs have an earlier final campus deadline by which they must have the nominees’ final materials. Check with your CR.