You Could Be a Udall Scholar!
The Morris K. Udall Foundation honors Congressman Udall’s legacy of public service by
awarding $5000 merit-based scholarships to outstanding college students who intend to pursue
careers related to the environment, or who intend to pursue careers in Native American health
care or tribal public policy and are Native American or Alaska Native.
In 2009, the Foundation expects to award 80 scholarships and 50 honorable mentions on the
basis of merit to sophomore and junior level college students. Scholarships are offered in any of
three categories:
To students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment; or
To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to
careers related to tribal public policy; or
To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to
careers related to Native health care.
If you are interested, visit the website at
http://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/MKUScholarship/MKUScholarship.aspx to find out more
about the 2009 Udall Scholarship and to find the application form and other informational
materials.
The late December holiday break is a great time to develop your application materials which include
a fairly extensive application and an 800 word essay.
We’ll be holding an informational meeting during the week of Jan 20-23, 2009 where faculty and
staff familiar with the Udall scholarship program will discuss strategies for success. After the
break, each applicant will have the opportunity to work with one of these faculty or staff
members to receive feedback on their application materials to strengthen them and increase your
chance for success.
The University of Idaho is allowed to nominate up to 6 students. If more than 6 completed
applications are received by the Udall faculty representative (Dr. Mulkey) by the deadline of
February 16, 2009, the Udall committee will review and select the top 6 applicants for
nomination to the Udall Foundation.
This is a great opportunity to win a prestigious scholarship. We want to help you succeed!
“Politics and issues come and go, but
in the end, we’ll all be remembered
for the way we treated other people.”
Morris K. Udall
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UDALL SCHOLARSHIP
The Morris K. Udall Foundation will award approximately 80 scholarships of up to $5,000 (and 50
scholarships of $350 to honorable mention recipients) to students nationwide. The awards will be made on
the basis of merit to three groups of students. 1) Students who have demonstrated commitment to careers
related to the environment; or 2) Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated
commitment to careers related to tribal public policy; or (3) Native American and Alaska Native students who
have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care.
DEADLINES (Submit materials in Morrill Hall 216):
1. Review website and begin preparation of application materials over Christmas Break.
2. Informational meeting with Dr. Stephen Mulkey (To be announced, Jan. 20-23, 2009).
3. Deadline to submit 1st draft of nominee packet to Dr. Stephen Mulkey for committee review: January 30,
2009.
4. Committee Review meeting: Feb. 2-6, 2009.
5. Feedback to students for revision and resubmission, Feb. 9, 2009.
6. Deadline for final submission is noon, Feb. 27, 2009. NO EXCEPTIONS!
CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY
1. Current sophomore or junior (sophomore defined as a student planning two or more years of full-time
undergraduate study beginning the next academic year; junior defined as a student who plans one more year
of full-time undergraduate study beginning the next academic year)
2. Grade-point average of at least “B”
3. U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, a U.S. national
4. Be committed to a career related to the environment, or committed to a career in tribal public policy or
Native American heath care (only Native Americans and Alaska Natives*are eligible to apply in tribal
public policy or Native American health care)
5. Be pursuing full-time study during the 2009-2010 academic year
NOMINATION MATERIALS (visit the website at
http://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/MKUScholarship/MKUScholarship.aspx to find the application
form and other informational materials)
1. Institutional Nomination Form (to be completed by Dr. Maxine Dakins)
2. Completed, signed Udall Scholarship application
3. Nominee’s essay (800 words or less), signed and dated
4. Three (3) Letters of recommendation
5. A current official college transcript and transcripts for other colleges attended
SCHOLARSHIP CONDITIONS
Udall Scholarships may be used for tuition, fees, books, room and board, or other specifically approved
expenses. Payments may supplement, but not duplicate, benefits from other foundations, institutions, or
organizations. Combined benefits from all sources may not exceed the costs of tuition, fees, books, and room
and board as prescribed by the institution.
To receive payments, a Udall Scholar must submit:
An acceptance of the scholarship;
An agreement to attend the Scholar Orientation in Tucson, Arizona, August 5-9, 2009;
A statement of eligible expenses, certified by a financial officer of the college or university;
A completed Direct Deposit/EFT Enrollment form.
The Foundation may withhold or terminate a scholarship due to unsatisfactory academic performance,
withdrawal from full-time academic enrollment, or failure to comply with any of the above conditions.
* For the purposes of the Scholarship Program, a Native American or Alaska Native is any individual who is: A member of an Indian tribe or band, as
membership is defined by the tribe or band, including any tribe or band terminated since 1940 and any tribe recognized by the state in which the tribe or
band resides; A descendant in first or second degree of a member of an Indian tribe or band, as membership is defined by the tribe or band, who can
demonstrate affiliation with the tribal community according to criteria set by the Foundation; Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian
for any purpose; An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; A permanent U.S. resident who is a member of the First Nations of Canada.
TIPS FOR NOMINEES
Familiarize yourself with the Udall Foundation and the scholarship by exploring www.udall.gov.
Start the nomination process early and put significant thought into your responses.
Submit an application that is complete, neat, and accurate. Proofread, avoid small fonts, and use spell
check.
Fill in the application online at www.udall.gov or use a typewriter. Handwritten applications will not be
accepted.
Present thoughtful responses to the questions on the nominee information form. Relate experiences that
support commitment to the goals of the program.
Write a well-defined, focused career goal statement. This statement is an important part of the
application.
Refrain from reiterating the same experiences throughout the application.
We recommend answering question #6 (additional information) on the application. Leaving this blank is
a missed opportunity to demonstrate your commitment to the readers.
Prepare a carefully constructed, well-researched response to the essay question. Research resources are
available at www.udall.gov and at http://dizzy.library.arizona.edu/branches/spc/udall/homepage.html.
The essay is a critical component of the application. You should address both aspects of the topic
thoroughly. We suggest a two-part structure; in the first section, analyze a significant speech or
legislative act of Congressman Udall and his involvement in the issue. In the second, integrate that into
a discussion of its impact on the student’s interests, studies, and career goals. Its relevance – the link to
your interests and projected career – is essential, and is where many essays fall short.
Readers appreciate (and reward) some freshness of perspective and originality of voice, so we encourage
you to spend some time familiarizing yourselves with Udall’s significant speeches and legislative acts.
The website (www.udall.gov) has many helpful links, particularly to the University of Arizona archives.
Do your research and select a topic that relates well to your interests. Do not simply focus on a
particular issue because it was the easiest to find on the web.
Select carefully those who will submit evaluations. The best evaluations are from faculty members in the
candidate’s field of study who know the candidate well and are able to attest to his or her
accomplishments and potential. Form letters, lacking a personal knowledge of the candidate, reflect
negatively on both the candidate and the institution. It would be helpful to aid them by submitting a
resume and a list of reasons why the scholarship is a good fit with your goals and accomplishments.
Nominees should submit official transcripts in a sealed envelope to Udall faculty representatives for
submission with the rest of the nomination materials.
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
Select a “rare” essay and/or legislation to write your essay on. The 1st half of your essay should analyze
the speech and/or legislation and the 2nd half should address how it ties into your career goals.
When they ask for additional personal information – here you should address items such as any traveling
you have done, children, financial need, etc.
Go to http://www.udall.gov/OurPrograms/MKUScholarship/MKUScholarship.aspx. There is a lot of
information posted on the website for your use. Read this thoroughly as they give advice for your best
chances of receiving this award!