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Office of National Scholarship Advisement
University of Mississippi

University of Mississippi is Number 3 on the list of 2021 top-performing institutions for the Boren scholarships. See more at https://www.borenawards.org/statistics#institutions

 

David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships

 

Open to:

Rising seniors and graduates 

Application Deadlines

  • UM Deadline: None
  • National Deadline: January/February
  • Endorsement: UM Nomination is Recommended. Learn more about ONSA and the nomination process.

Description:

Boren Fellowships & Scholarships provide a unique funding opportunity for U.S. students to add an important international and language component to their education in world regions critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

 

The Boren Awards focus on countries, languages, and fields critical to U.S. national security, recognizing a broad definition that includes traditional concerns of protecting American well‐being, as well as challenges of global society, such as sustainable development, environmental issues, disease, migration, and economic competitiveness. In exchange for funding, Boren Awards recipients commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

 

Boren Awards recipients are selected on the basis of merit, with consideration for the following six criteria:

  1. National Security
  2. Federal Service
  3. Academic Record and Cultural Adaptability
  4. Language Study
  5. Boren Awards Preferences
  6. Boren Fellowships ONLY (graduate students): Proposed Research Plan

 

Application Procedure:

  • Complete application online (general information, two essays, language assessment, transcript and letters of recommendations) 
  • Book an appointment with ONSA for feedback and campus evaluation (Strongly recommended)

 

Requirements: 

  • U.S. citizens at the time of the national application deadline. 
  • At least 18 years of age or older at the time of the national application deadline. 
  • Planning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. 
  • Planning to study in a country of which they are not a citizen. 
  • Matriculated for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program in an undergraduate or graduate degree program located within the United States and accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

 

Videos and Workshops:

Introduction

Self-identified Language programs (undergrad)

Self-identified research and language study (graduate)

The FLI’s

Crafting competitive essays

ROTC

Flagship Chinese and Arabic 

 

Website:

https://www.borenawards.org/  

 

 

Want to Apply?

 

There are many things you can do to become competitive for such awards. It all starts with becoming engaged with your classes, your professors, and your community–starting your freshman year!

The key to a strong application is…START EARLY! Follow these steps to schedule your appointment!

STEP 1: Look through the Handbook or Website to identify potential awards.

  • Each award description in the handbook or website includes eligibility, a description, application procedures, and links to videos/webinars.
  • Some awards identify “institutional endorsement required” or “institutional endorsement recommended”. In order to be endorsed by ONSA and the university of Mississippi you must have a complete application by the campus deadline.

STEP 2: Complete the Fellowship Interest Form (required)

STEP 3: Make an appointment with a Fellowship Advisor (strongly recommended)

STEP 4: If you apply for a national fellowship, you will need to complete the Nomination Permission Form and Waiver (required)