CNS Study Abroad Scholarships

 

Students pose beneath a Swampforest Silver Fern on the West Coast of New Zealand.MSU is committed to the development of programs that will cost approximately the same as a semester on campus for tuition, books and room and board. Financial aid (student loans, grants, MET, etc.) is applicable to study abroad when you make appropriate arrangements.

 

Students with majors in the College of Natural Science are invited to apply for CNS Study Abroad scholarships. Students are not required to enroll in a Natural Science program to qualify for CNS scholarships; students can apply for any MSU Study Abroad program offered by other colleges or the Office of Study Abroad. Awards are based upon application information described below.

 

Three types of scholarships are offered:

  • $750 for long-term program (10 weeks or more);
  • $400 for a short-term program (less than 10 weeks);
  • $1000 CNS Competitive Scholarship - at least one CNS scholarship is awarded per semester or summer session. Selection is based on student merit and financial need (as determined by your application), essay and letter of recommendation.

 

DEADLINES for applications:

  • Summer, Fall and Academic Year programs:  March 15th
  • Winter Break and Spring Semester programs:  October 15th

 

In addition to the CNS scholarships, students may also apply for MSU scholarships and grants offered through the Office of Study Abroad. Requirements are listed in the application instructions for each type of award. View the MSU Study Abroad Scholarship Page.

 

CNS Scholarship Application Instructions

The CNS Scholarship application requirements are very similar to those of the MSU Study Abroad Scholarship Application. Applying for and receiving an MSU Study Abroad Scholarship will not affect your chances of receiving a CNS award.

 

To apply for the CNS scholarships:

  1. Submit an EMAIL to Carolyn Sekedat with:
    • Answers to the following questions:
      1. What is your name and PID?
      2. For which Study Abroad program, country and dates are you applying?
      3. Have you ever applied for and been awarded any type of financial aid? (Yes or No)
      4. Is this your first MSU Study Abroad program?  (Yes or No)
      5. What is your current GPA?
      •  
    • An attached Essay in Word format. The essay should be no longer than one page and emphasize how the study abroad experience will contribute toward your education. The heading should be your name, title and date of program. Topics that you should address include:
      1. Why this country and program? (Relevance of the site/program to your academic career and personal goals)
      2. How you will apply your study abroad experience upon your return to the US?
      3. Qualities you possess that will help you be successful abroad.

    Students may elect to submit the same essay to both the college and MSU Study Abroad scholarship programs.

   2.  Request a letter of reference from a faculty, staff or graduate teaching assistant (see Letter of
        Reference instructions below).

 

DEADLINES for applications:

  • Summer, Fall and Academic Year programs:  March 15th
  • Winter Break and Spring Semester programs:  October 15th

 

Applicants will be notified of scholarship award via email or mail.

 

Letter of Reference Instructions (for Faculty)

For faculty writing a letter of reference, the College would appreciate your candid evaluation of the applying student. Please cover the following points in your recommendation (note: you may use the same recommendation that is used for the MSU Study Abroad Scholarship Program if the student is applying for this program).

  • How long and in what capacity have you known the student?
  • Describe their academic ability.
  • Evaluate their emotional maturity.
  • In what ways do you believe the student would benefit from participation in the study abroad program?

It is requested that you submit your letter of reference via e-mail to Carolyn Sekedat.