How to Apply for a Morris K. Udall Scholarship

Named for Congressman Morris K. Udall, the Udall Scholarships provide up to $5,000 for one year of undergraduate tuition, room, board, books and fees to college juniors and seniors studying fields relating to the environment, and to Native Americans and Alaskan Natives pursuing degrees in fields relating to tribal policy and health care.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet Access
• Computers
• Word-processing Software

1. Find out if you are eligible to be a Udall Scholar. At the time of application, you must be a college sophomore or junior currently pursuing a degree; in the upper 25 percent of your class with at least a "B" average; and be a U.S. citizen, a resident alien or a U.S. national.

2. Look up the Udall faculty representative on your campus and express your interest in gaining the formal nomination by your school as a candidate. If you don't know who the faculty rep is, contact the President's office at your university; peruse the foundation's Web site (see udall.gov); write to the Foundation at 130 S. Scott Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701; or call them at [phone].

3. Start working on your application as soon as possible to make sure you can meet the February 15th deadline. Put extra effort into your 600-word essay explaining why you are interested in a Udall Scholarship and what sort of contribution you hope to make to the world in the areas of interest to the Udall Foundation.

4. Provide transcripts from past and current colleges and universities you have attended and at least three recommendation letters from professors who can specifically address your interest in environmental public policy, health care or tribal policy and your reasons for seeking a Udall Scholarship.

5. Work with your faculty rep on your application to ensure you have the best chance possible. Your faculty rep will have insight into other aspects that could contribute to your being selected as a Udall Scholar, such as your career objectives, your field of study and whether you have adequately explained the contribution you want to make in the field you're studying.

6. Use a daily planner to track all pertinent dates and tasks to get your application information to your faculty rep on time. Your rep will then review your application before forwarding it on to the Udall Foundation.

7. Remain eligible to receive monetary awards - if you get selected in the first place - by providing the following documents: acceptance of the award, a letter stating you agree to attend the orientation weekend, a statement of eligible expenses approved by a financial officer at your college or university, a direct deposit form, and all official transcripts as they become available.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that you must be nominated by a Udall faculty representative and obtain the formal endorsement of your university; direct applications from prospective Udall Scholars will not be accepted.
• Apply as a sophomore to take full advantage of the Udall Scholarships. Even if you are selected as a sophomore (for study as a junior) you can be re-nominated as a junior and possibly be awarded another Udall Scholarship.
• Look at the Udall Foundation's Web site to find past recipients of Udall Scholarships. Talking to a past recipient may give you some insight into the application process and how to approach the essay.
• Keep copies of all the documents and materials you submit with your application. This will eliminate any headaches if something is lost or if there is a question.
• Be aware that you cannot use this scholarship with any other award that would exceed the cost of your tuition, room, board, books and fees.
• Udall Scholarships are for the term of one academic year only. (Approximately 75 are awarded each year.) Monies not used during that year may not be held over for use in a second academic year.
• Check out any scholarship or fellowship you are considering applying for to make sure it's legit. Many scholarship scams exist out there, so don't get taken for a ride.

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