UVa PROJECT GO 2015 APPLICATION

The UVa Project GO scholarship is an award for ROTC cadets/midshipmen who commit to study a critical language designated by the Department of Defense. The UVa Project GO institutional grant currently supports seven of those languages (see below). We typically make awards for language study during the summer, either on grounds at UVa or in UVA sponsored study abroad programs. We will support summer language study at other domestic institutions, however we strongly encourage applications for domestic or overseas study in the existing UVa programs. See the UVa Study Abroad Website (www.studyabroad.virginia.edu) for information concerning UVa summer language programs in China (Mandarin), Jordan (Arabic) and Morocco (Arabic). Depending on the availability of funds, we endeavor to provide support for tuition, room/board, books, and other costs such as travel and visa when applicable. Note: the Department of Defense considers proficiency in certain critical languages crucial to enhancing the performance of the officer corps. Check with your commanders for the potential impact on your military career.

Project GO scholarships are contingent upon funding from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Languages by Area

The UVa Project GO program is authorized to award scholarships for the study of the following languages in its own academic programs during the summer; however, applicants proposing to study another critical language in a non-UVa program can apply.

Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Hindi/Urdu, Persian, Korean, Swahili

Eligibility Requirements

The UVa PROJECT GO SCHOLARSHIP competition is open to ROTC cadets and midshipmen regardless of their institutional affiliation. The scholarship is awarded for the study of a critical language designated by the national PROJECT GO administration. See the PROJECT GO website for information about available languages and PROJECT GO institutions offering their study and scholarships: www.rotcprojectgo.org. Please note that some language programs are restricted to students who have finished the beginning level or “first year” of language study. For example, the UVa study abroad programs in Chinese Mandarin (Shanghai), Arabic (Yarmouk, Jordan) require the applicant to be entering at least the intermediate level or “second year.” The UVA in Morocco program offers beginning Arabic, BUT, the student must also be at least at the intermediate level of French. Check with your commanding officer(s) about your ROTC training requirements before applying. PROJECT GO scholarships are not available after commissioning.

UVa PROJECT GO Critical Languages Program

We offer six languages in two programs “on grounds” at UVa during the summer. Arabic, Chinese and Russian are offered in the SUMMER LANGUAGE INSTITUTE (SLI). Persian, Korean and Swahili are offered in the Summer Sessions Program. The SLI programs run from June 15, 2015 to August 8th. The Russian program covers TWO YEARS of Russian and yields 12 credits. The Chinese and Arabic programs provide ONE YEAR, either beginning or intermediate coverage, yielding 8 credits total for each level. The Summer Sessions programs cover one full academic year of language study and run from June 16, 2015 to July 12th, and July 14th to August 8, 2015. Both sessions are required. Persian, Korean and Swahili are offered at the beginning level. Refer to the Summer Sessions/Summer Language Institute website for more information: www.virginia.edu/summer/. You will find the SLI link on the left-side of the Summer Sessions homepage. Please note that the amount of tuition charged depends on the in-state or out-of-state billing status of the student. Although UVA does not have a Hindi/Urdu program, we will entertain applications to study Hindi or Urdu at other programs, such as the South Asia Summer Language Institute at the University of Wisconsin.

Visit the UVa Study Abroad website to learn more about the UVa Chinese, Hindi/Urdu and Arabic summer overseas programs in Shanghai, China, Delhi, Yarmouk, Jordan, and Rabat, Morocco. The programs in China, India and Jordan only admit students with intermediate level + proficiency. The Morocco program offers Beginning Arabic to students who have intermediate and above proficiency in French.

Application Submission: submit your application to Dr. Richard Cohen, Project GO Director, via email: , by January 30th 2015. The two recommendations (language and academic) are due by January 30, 2015. Your recommenders should also email their form to Dr. Cohen.

An applicant must submit: 1. Application Form, 2. Statement of Purpose, 3. Transcript (doesn’t have to be official), THREE recommendations by separate faculty are required: one Language Recommendation, one Academic Recommendation, AND YOUR PROFESSOR OF MILITARY SCIENCE.

Scholarships will be announced by February 15, 2015. Awardees will be required to sign an agreement, and attend a Project GO information session immediately after notification, or, if not possible, speak with Dr. Richard Cohen, Project GO Director, on the phone about program regulations and deadlines. Please note that UVa cadets applying for summer study abroad whether on a UVa program or another program MUST process through the UVa Study Abroad Office, located on the second floor of Minor Hall. Generally, March 1, 2015 is the application deadline for UVA Summer 2013 study abroad programs. All air travel on a Project GO funded scholarship must observe the rules of the “Fly America Act,” meaning the travel must be booked on an American flag carrier or code-share basis. Additional information about the Fly America Act is available at www.safeharbors.com/fly-american-act/rules-and-regulations.html.

Note that, depending upon the language and level studied, the Project GO funded cadet/midshipman will be asked to take one or more tests before and after his/her study program. You will also be requested to join the Project GO Program database, supplying basic information about yourself and your program of language study.

Cadets/midshipmen studying a language in a study abroad program will be required to participate in a cultural sensitivity program during the Spring of 2015, as well as complete a one-credit online cultural awareness course during their language study program. UVa students will participate in the pre-departure sessions on grounds, in person. Non-UVa students will participate online.

NOTE: If you have not studied a language in college, but have done so in secondary school, it is okay to use your secondary school language teacher as your language recommendation. However, be aware that it is sometimes difficult to get a hold of that teacher quickly; so, plan ahead!

Application Form
Electronically Submit by January 30, 2015. Your two recommenders’ forms are due January 30, 2015.
I. Applicant Information
Name:
School: / University Student ID (UVA applicants only):
Your Permanent Address
City: / State: / Zip:
E-mail address: / Phone number:
Year of Study in 2013-14: 2nd 3rd 4th
5th other (explain) / Applying for any other financial aid? Please identify:
II. Language Information
World Area of Interest:
/ Language to be studied: / Current level of language:
Beginning
Intermediate
Advanced
Native Language:
How many years have you studied this and other languages and when was the study undertaken?
Language: / High School: _____yrs. Undergrad: _____yrs. Grad: _____yrs.
Other (specify): _____yrs.
Language: / High School: _____yrs. Undergrad: _____yrs. Grad: _____yrs.
Other (specify): _____yrs.
Language: / High School: _____yrs. Undergrad: _____yrs. Grad: _____yrs.
Other (specify): _____yrs.
III. Statement of Purpose
On the reverse or an additional page, outline your study plans and explain how receiving a PROJECT GO scholarship will aid you in reaching your program and/or career goals in 1-2 typewritten pages.
IV. Your Professor of Military Science:
Name:
Email and Phone:
V. Recommenders’ Information
Language recommender: / Dept:
Academic recommender: / Dept:
I certify that this information is true, complete, and given in good faith.
Signature: / Date:
Statement of Purpose

In 1-2 typewritten pages, provide a statement of purpose which outlines your study plans and explains how the PROJECT GO SCHOLARSHIP will aid you in reaching your program and/or career goals. MAKE SURE YOU DESCRIBE THE LANGUAGE PROGRAM FOR WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING, GIVING DETAILS, INCLUDING ALL TUITION AND FEES COSTS. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! EVALUATION OF YOUR APPLICATION DEPENDS ON IT! ALSO, IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO OTHER PROJECT GO PROGRAMS FOR A SCHOLARSHIP, OTHER THAN THE UVA PROGRAM, INDICATE WHICH PROGRAMS IN YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT.

Language Recommendation
APPLICANT: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 gives students the right to inspect letters of recommendation written in support of applications for admission, fellowship, or academic employment. The law also permits students to waive that right if they choose, although such a waiver must be voluntary and cannot be a condition of admission, award, or employment. If you do wish to waive your right to examine this letter of recommendation, please sign below.
Signature of applicant: Date:
Complete the following information, and then give to your recommender who should submit the finished form to Dr. Richard Cohen, Project GO Director, via email: , by January 30, 2015.
Name: / World Area Interest:
Department/School:
Language to be studied:
To be completed by RECOMMENDER: Complete sections I, III, and—if possible— Section II.
I. Linguistic Competence
a) How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?
b) Please rate the applicant’s language skills and abilities (numbers refer to percentile rankings).
Below Average
(0-40) / Average
(40-60) / Above Average (60-80) / Exceptional
(80-100) / No opportunity to observe
Comprehension
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Summary rating
II. Disciplinary Competence (Disregard if you cannot comment on applicant’s disciplinary abilities)
Please rate the applicant in comparison with other students at the same stage in their academic programs (numbers refer to percentile rankings).
Below Average
(0-40) / Average
(40-60) / Above Average (60-80) / Exceptional
(80-100) / No opportunity to observe
General knowledge
Knowledge of field
Critical ability
Writing ability
Motivation
Academic potential
III. Additional Comments
Comment on the applicant’s language ability, academic work, and academic potential. Use reverse side or attach a letter.
Recommender’s name: / Signature:
Position or title:
Department and address:
Academic Recommendation
APPLICANT: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 gives students the right to inspect letters of recommendation written in support of applications for admission, fellowship, or academic employment. The law also permits students to waive that right if they choose, although such a waiver must be voluntary and cannot be a condition of admission, award, or employment. If you do wish to waive your right to examine this letter of recommendation, please sign below.
Signature of applicant: Date:
Complete the following information, and then give to your recommender who should submit the finished form to Dr. Richard Cohen, Project GO Director, via email: , by January 30, 2015.
Name: / World Area Interest:
Department/School:
Language to be studied:
To be completed by RECOMMENDER: Complete sections II, III, and—if possible— Section I .
I. Linguistic Competence (Disregard if you cannot comment on the applicant’s language ability).
a) How long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?
b) Please rate the applicant’s language skills and abilities (numbers refer to percentile rankings).
Below Average
(0-40) / Average
(40-60) / Above Average (60-80) / Exceptional
(80-100) / No opportunity to observe
Comprehension
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Summary rating
II. Disciplinary Competence
Please rate the applicant in comparison with other students at the same stage in their academic programs (numbers refer to percentile rankings).
Below Average
(0-40) / Average
(40-60) / Above Average (60-80) / Exceptional
(80-100) / No opportunity to observe
General knowledge
Knowledge of field
Critical ability
Writing ability
Motivation
Academic potential
III. Additional Comments
Comment on the applicant’s language ability, academic work, and academic potential. Use reverse side or attach a letter.
Recommender’s name: / Signature:
Position or title:
Department and address:

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