- How many copies of the nomination and application materials and letters of recommendation letters do I send?
No additional copies are necessary; we only require that you send the original materials to the Foundation. (We advise keeping a copy, however, as packages sent by any mail service can go astray.)
- Does the faculty representative need to write a letter of nomination?
No. Some faculty representatives may elect to write one of the three required letters of recommendation, but an additional letter of nomination is not required. We only require that each nominee be registered online at http://facultyreps.udall.gov by March 1.
- Would it help if I write a letter of nomination?
No. Letters of nomination or endorsement will not be forwarded to the selection committee.
- We have an exceptionally strong pool of applicants this year. Can I only nominate six students for the Udall Scholarship?
That is correct. Each institution may only nominate six students for the scholarship.
- I have not received a copy of the Nomination materials. Can I request a copy?
The Udall Foundation no longer provides printed copies of the student nomination materials. Information and application forms are available in PDF and Microsoft Word formats on our website.
- One of my environmental applicants is also Native American. Will the application be read in the Native American/Native Alaskan category?
No. Even though your student is Native American, the application is for the environmental scholarship, and will be read with the other environmental applications by state or region.
- One of our nominees studied abroad last semester, and hasn’t received her fall grades yet. What should she do?
The International Studies office, Dean's office or the Registrar should be able to provide either or all of the following:
- Verification that the student was enrolled in a program of study;
- List of courses taken during the semester abroad;
- Explanation of why the grades are not available.
You may also, as the faculty representative, provide a signed statement attesting to the above.
- The instructions state that transcripts should be in sealed envelopes. Our university nomination committee would like to review applicants' transcripts along with the rest of the application. Is it OK to open them?
Yes.
- Can I request that faculty and other recommenders submit their reference letters directly to my office, instead of having our nominees collect them?
Yes.
- As the FacRep, am I allowed to open letters of recommendation before forwarding them to the Udall Foundation?
Yes. Many Facreps share letters of recommendation with their university nominating committees. Other Facreps work directly with faculty to ensure that recommendation letters are beneficial to nominees.
- We have nominated students for the past several years and none has received a Scholarship or an Honorable Mention. I am frustrated and feel like the effort put into the applications is not worth it. What should I do?
Please call or email Jane Curlin (520.901.8565). She is happy to explain the selection process further, give you feedback on your past applicants, and answer any other questions you may have.
- My student was awarded a Udall Scholarship. However, she has an internship this summer in Ecuador/the Galapagos/Tanzania, and is not planning to be back in time for the Scholar Orientation Weekend. Since she is doing the kind of work that enabled her to receive the scholarship in the first place, can she opt out of the weekend? Could she write a paper instead of attending? Attend next year?
No, no, and no. The Scholar Orientation Weekend is an integral part of becoming a Udall Scholar; all new and repeat Scholars must attend the Scholar Orientation Weekend scheduled for August 5-9, 2009. If your student is awarded the scholarship and cannot attend the Orientation for any reason, the scholarship will be revoked and awarded to a Udall Honorable Mention.