IFSA Global Scholarship

UHH Home > Study Abroad

 

Congratulations to the IFSA Global Scholarship Recipients!

Congratulations to the IFSA Global Scholarship Recipients!

This year's recipients are Benjamin Decker, Travis Jyo, Jaymen Laupola, Matthew Lucas, Jonah Molina, Keren Motonaga, Jenny Schabell, Tierney Ioane, and Lyndsie Ullrich. These students will be studying in Fall 2009 or for the entire 2009-2010 Academic Year.

The IFSA Global Scholarship Program is an an initiative created by the Center for Global Education and Exchange and funded by the IFSA Foundation. It is designed to allow semester and year-long study abroad opportunities for first-generation students with limited financial means by providing supplemental financial assistance. Overall, the program intends to create future leaders, that will utilize their experiences abroad to contribute to the UH Hilo and global community.

The scholarship and the application process is explained in greater detail in the application form, which can be downloaded (Application Form (88kb)) and filled out electronically. Review of applications for Study Abroad in Spring 2010 will begin on Friday, October 23, 2009, and will continue until all selections are made. See below for more information.

IFSA Global Scholarship Description

Eligibility:

The IFSA Global Scholarship is available to all full-time and classified UH Hilo students who meet the following criteria:

  • 3.0 UH Hilo GPA
  • Completed 24 UH Hilo Credits
  • Receive Federal Financial Aid
  • First-Generation college student (as student whose parent(s) has not earned a Bachelor's Degree or higher)
  • Scholarship recipient must return to UH Hilo upon completion of the study abroad program
  • Duration of exchange must be at least one semester

Selection Criteria:

The following criteria will be used in the selection process:

  • Hawai'i High School Graduate
  • Student with high financial aid
  • Student studying for academic year
  • Student with no prior study abroad and/or international travel experience of more than six weeks
  • Student involved in diverse cultural activities
  • A well written personal statement
  • Excellent recommendation letters
  • Outstanding Service Learning Project

Application Checklist:

  1. IFSA Global Scholarship Application Form:
    • A 250-word Service Project Statement of how you will share your experience(s) with the UH Hilo community, and how you intend to promote study abroad to future UH Hilo students. (See list of service projects under Requirement Section)
    • Two Letters of recommendation: one from a faculty member, and another from an employer or peer who is able to affirm that studying abroad will be beneficial to your overall personal and academic growth.
  2. UH Hilo Study Abroad Application:
    • A personal statement, consisting of no more than 350 words, that addresses the questions “Why is it important for me to study abroad”, and “What do I hope to gain from my experience and how it will contribute to the program” (please submit two copies)
    • A meeting with your academic advisor, discussing how your study abroad will fit into your academic journey. (please submit two copies of the Advisor Conference Sheet)
  3. FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov)

Requirements:

Once a student has accepted the grant, the following criteria must be satisfactory met, or else the entire award needs to be refunded.

  • Attend Pre-Departure and Re-Entry Orientation
  • Satisfactorily complete IS 393L: Foreign Field Experience
  • Write an article for Panorama (UH Hilo’s study abroad newsletter)
  • Assist the CGEE with at least two of the following Service Projects:
    • International Education Week – A U.S. Department of State initiative designed to promote International Education by informing the community about study abroad and international student exchange, through cultural activities, lectures, food.
    • The World Awaits You – A study abroad panel offered during International Education Week that allows the general public to learn from the students about the region and their overall study abroad experience.
    • Pre-Departure Orientation – An orientation intended to expose students to culture-shock, and other study abroad issues, while providing vital information about UH Hilo Study Abroad policies and procedures.
    • Re-Entry Orientation – An orientation designed to help returning students with readjusting to life in America by discussing reverse culture-shock and transfer credit processes, while providing an emotional support system for returnees.
    • Study Abroad Classroom Visits – Promote study abroad by going to classrooms and discussing your experience.
    • Scholarship Presentations – Help students searching for financial aid by promoting the scholarship(s) you received.
    • Or another project of your choice that must be approved by the Global Education Director
    • Comply with the University policies for study abroad and exchange programs.