AUTHORIZATION:

Public Law 99-661, 20 U.S.C. 4701-4711.

OBJECTIVES:

To honor former Senator Barry Goldwater through the operation of an education scholarship program, financed by a permanent trust fund endowment, designed to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Direct Payments for Specified Use Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

Assistance is intended solely for the use of scholars.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Undergraduate sophomore and junior level students, at two and four year colleges and universities accredited by the Department of Education, may be nominated by the institution's Goldwater Faculty Representative.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   U.S. citizens or nationals, resident aliens (must provide additional documentation), college sophomores and juniors will benefit.

Credentials/Documentation:   Applicants must be enrolled, matriculated in a degree program at an accredited U.S. college, pursuing a Bachelor's degree as a full-time student during the forthcoming academic year, maintaining a "B" average, ranked in the upper fourth of his or her class, be a U.S. citizen, national or resident alien (resident aliens must include a letter of the nominee's intent to become a U.S. citizen and a photocopy of the Alien Registration Card) and have selected a field of study that will permit admission to a graduate or professional program in preparation for a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.

Pre-application Coordination:   Each August the chief executive officer from all 2 and 4-year colleges and universities is invited to appoint a Goldwater Scholarship Faculty Representative to manage the selection and nomination of up to four (two for two year schools) students for the forthcoming year's Goldwater Scholarship competition. In September, the standard nomination forms will be provided to the designated faculty representatives of all institutions whose President or Chancellor has advised the Foundation of their intent to participate in the competition. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:   The faculty representative of an institution is the key person in the Goldwater selection process and serves as liaison between his or her institution and the Foundation. The faculty representative is responsible for publicizing the Goldwater Scholarship on campus, soliciting recommendations on outstanding students with proven capability and potential in the fields of mathematics, science and engineering from members of the faculty, and conducting a competition on campus in order to determine the best qualified nominees from the institution. The faculty representative assists the nominees in the preparation of the nomination package and ensures that they are accurate, complete, and forwarded to the Goldwater Scholarship Review Panel by the stated deadline for the competition. The following information must be included on the official nomination materials with each scholarship nomination:

1. An institution nomination form signed by the faculty representative stating that the nominee meets the qualifications for the scholarship.

2. Biographical data and educational background information regarding past and future academic plans and career goals must be submitted.

3. A 600 word essay by the nominee discussing a significant issue or problem in his or her field of study of interest must be submitted.

4. Three independent letters of evaluation from faculty members or others qualified to assess the nominee's performance and potential for a career in the nominee's chosen field of study must be submitted.

5. All transcripts from secondary schools and colleges attended must be submitted.

Award Procedure:   Each nominee will be evaluated by an independent review panel of academicians and college administrators from colleges and universities throughout the United States. In awarding scholarships, the Foundation Board of Trustees will consider the nominee's field of study and career objectives and the extent to which that individual has the commitment and potential to make a significant contribution to his or her chosen field of study. It is expected that students selected as scholars will pursue advanced degrees. Final selection of candidates is recommended by the independent review panel. The Board of Trustees will name up to 300 Goldwater Scholars.

Deadlines:   February 2 is the deadline for receipt of nomination materials. All materials must be submitted by the student's faculty representative. Nominations from individuals other than the faculty representative will not be considered.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

February, of each year scholarship nominees are evaluated by Independent Review Panel and ranked by relative merit. March of each year a Review Panel's results are presented to Board of Trustees. On April 1 of each year, Goldwater Board of Trustees announces the winners of the Goldwater Scholarships for the forthcoming academic year.

Appeals:   

None.

Renewals:   

It is the intent of the Foundation to support junior- level scholarships for a maximum of 2 academic years and senior-level scholarships for a maximum of 1 academic year. Renewal for junior- level awards will be in accordance with the regulations established by the Foundation Board of Trustees and will be subject to an annual review by an authorized official of the institution. The scholar must be a full- time student and taking a course of study, training, or other educational activities to prepare for a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. The scholar must not be engaged in gainful employment that interferes with the scholar's studies. The scholar must be in good academic standing. The scholar may seek postponement of his or her award because of ill health or other mitigating circumstances, upon application to the President.

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ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   

Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   

To be eligible to receive payments, a Goldwater Scholar must submit in writing: (1) An acceptance of the scholarship award, (2) an EFT form for payment by direct deposit and (3) at the beginning of each academic year one payment request form outlining the costs of tuition, fees, books, room and board, additional expenses and any other scholarships the student is receiving for that academic year. This form must be certified by a financial aid official and an academic official certifying that the student is in good academic standing. Two payments via treasury EFT will be made to the scholar's account during the academic year in an amount equal to half of the amount for which the scholar qualifies on the payment request, not to exceed $7,500 per academic year.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Each Goldwater Scholar is required to send a report each June for four years following graduation outlining his or her progress toward his or her career goals. They must also provide a current address when changes occur.

Audits:   Not required.

Records:   Not required.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

95-8281-0-7-502.

Obligations:   (Grants) FY 07 $300,000,000; FY 08 est not available; and FY 09 est not reported.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

$0 to $7,500; AVERAGE: $6,650.

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