The resources we give our students vary. Not only does it depend on the award they seek, their field, class level, level of experience, and goals, but also on our personal preferences—each of us has a different perception of what is effective in helping students in the scholarship search, preparation, and application process.

When it comes to our own questions about awards, however, there is solidarity among us. Our top six resources are not surprising. Nonetheless, the search for the most commonly used resources was worth it, just to gain this affirmation. This conclusion was based on responses to a survey conducted during Spring 2006. It was however, a small survey. I received responses from approximately twenty Fellowship Advisors (FA’s).

The first set of resources represent those that are most commonly used by FAs in descending order of frequency of use. The second set of resources are listed in random order since these results were more scattered. These include resources we recommend to students.

TOP SIX RESOURCES

1. Go to the award website. This is the first thing we do.

2. Speak to the award contact at the foundation or organization office. Even the best websites are not perfectly clear on all criteria, requirements, and application instructions. The most commonly stated mode of action at this point is to go straight to the source.

3. Contact fellow FAs. What is your most respected/successful/experienced FA doing?

4. Consult the NAFA listserve. Use the listserve to post an inquiry, look for a posting (one previously posted or an incoming one), or to keep up with the shared information (widening our knowledge base).

5. Use NAFA conference material. Information included: NAFA Business, Advising Reflections and Resources, Alternative Resources, Scholarship Foundations, and Material for New Fellowship Advisors. (Last updated in 2005. Not currently available online, but can be obtained.)

6. Feedback from past applicants and winners.

OTHER RESOURCES

1. The Advice and Guidance section on the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation website. The articles, tips, and samples to assist Truman candidates with writing personal statements and policy proposals may be useful for other awards.

2. The online Applicant Newsletters from the Fulbright Program for U.S. Students. Provides useful instructions for planning projects, writing proposals, crafting personal statements, as well as other application preparation advice.

3. Grants for Individuals. Provides a comprehensive resource of funding opportunities, categorized by subject, academic level, and population group. Created by Jon Harrison, Funding Center Supervisor/Social Sciences Collections Coordinator at Michigan State University Libraries.

4. Individual handouts

5. Writing Recommendation Letters by Joe Schall (To order call Thomson Customer Service 1-800-355-9983). Schall teaches writing and advises fellowship applicants at Penn State. This faculty handbook offers letter writing advice and tips, and sample recommendation letters specific to national awards.

6. “Key Information and Resources for Study in the UK,” found on “Mark’s Page for UK” and Irish Fellowships (http://www.yale.edu/iefp/fellowships/other/resourcesUK.html; http://www.yale.edu/iefp/fellowships/UK_Irish_fellowships.html). This website proffers an assortment of links to funding resources, specific programs, and rankings of courses and institutions. Handy for students who are looking into graduate education in the UK.

7. Morris K. Udall Foundation’s sample rating sheet. Although designed for rating the “Commitment to Improving or Preserving the Environment; or Commitment to Health Care or Tribal Public Policy,” this sheet serves as both a self-assessment tool for students pursuing other awards, and a guide for FAs to evaluate award candidates.

8. NAFA Bulletin Board. This is a valuable yet underused resource. It offers a forum for in-depth discussions (organized by topics), contains slide presentations of prestigious awards, pre- and post-conference material, and more. An excerpt of Mark Bauer’s 5/23/06 NAFA listserve posting in which he “reintroduce(s) the NAFA Bulletin Board, how to access it, and its structure” immediately follows this article.

9. The University of Maryland’s Scholarship Office webpage for International Students. Links to funding opportunities open to non-US citizens. Compiled by Camille Stillwell, National Scholarships Coordinator at the University of Maryland.

With your help, we hope to expand upon this list in future issues of the NAFA Journal. Begin compiling your list of resources for the next time. Or, if it is easier, the moment a favorite resource occurs to you, send me an email and I will add it to the list.