The National Security Educational Program (NSEP)

David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is an NSEP Boren scholarship?
   The National Security Education Program (NSEP) awards scholarships to US students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East). The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
   NSEP focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. It draws on a broad definition of national security applied by the President in his annual National Security Strategy, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including: sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.
   NSEP Boren Scholarships are intended to provide support to U.S. undergraduates who will pursue the study of languages and cultures currently underrepresented in study abroad and critical to U.S. national security.

2. What are the eligibility requirements?
   You are eligible to apply for an NSEP Boren scholarship if you are:

   1. A U.S. citizen at the time of application.
   2. Matriculated as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior at MSU.
   3. Applying to engage in a study abroad experience in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand that meets MSU standards. (This can be a MSU or a non-MSU study abroad program.)
   4. Planning to use the scholarship for study abroad and the study abroad program ends before you graduate. NSEP Boren Undergraduate scholarships are not for study in the United States

3. Can I use an NSEP award for study anywhere in the world?
   NSEP gives preference to students who will study in particular countries; who will study particular languages; who will study particular fields; who will study abroad for longer periods of time; and who will make a commitment to a career in federal service.
   Each year, NSEP publishes a list of geographic areas, languages, and fields of study identified as critical to U.S. national security. This year's list includes 87 countries and 48 languages. (see http://www.iie.org/programs/nsep/undergraduate/preferences.htm).
   This preference list does NOT include Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or countries in Western Europe.

4. What are other program requirements?
   Language: Study of a foreign language appropriate to the identified country must be an integral part of each proposal. In addition, you must meet any language requirements of the study abroad experience you propose.

   All study abroad programs do not offer the same opportunities to learn a language. The language component must incorporate opportunities to learn a language in a context that is meaningful to your language proficiency and language learning goals. You should take into account any prior knowledge and experience in the proposed language when selecting and designing your study abroad program. If you already have studied the language you should consider what opportunities the program will provide for you to advance your proficiency. If you have not studied the language, you should consider what the program offers you in opportunities to make substantial progress.

   Since NSEP encourages students to study in countries whose languages are less commonly taught at U.S. institutions, it is anticipated that many students will not be familiar with the language of their chosen country. Prior study of another language will serve as an indication of interest and aptitude.

   Note: Study of a common language (Spanish or French) is permissible only when it is at an advanced level of competency. In such cases, the study abroad experience should not focus on language acquisition, but rather on academic course work. Special Exception: NSEP will consider applications from students at the intermediate level of Spanish or French if their field of study is in applied sciences or engineering. At the time of application, determination of intermediate/advanced language level will be self-assessed. IIE/NSEP will verify the self-assessed competency level of grant recipients through a commonly used testing instrument.

   Academic Focus: Evidence of a clear link between your proposed overseas study and your academic and international career goals will be a critical element in your application. You should present a study abroad proposal that describes specifically how you plan to demonstrate this link. This should be directly reflected in your Statement of Purpose. Fields of Study: Agricultural and Food Sciences; Applied Sciences and Engineering, including: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Sciences, and Mathematics; Area Studies; Business and Economics; Computer and Information Sciences; World Languages and International Studies; Health and Biomedical Science; History; International Affairs; Law; Linguistics; Other Social Sciences (Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology); Political Science and Policy Studies

   Note: NSEP understands that many students majoring in the applied sciences or engineering may have difficulty spending a semester or year away from campus due to course sequencing and requirements. For this reason, all applied science and engineering majors, regardless of class standing, are eligible to apply for NSEP funding for summer study abroad programs of six (6) weeks or longer.

   Service Requirement: The NSEP service requirement stipulates that an award recipient work in the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or the Intelligence Community. If, after making a full and good faith effort (according to conditions and rules established by NSEP), an award recipient demonstrates to NSEP that no appropriate position is available in one of these agencies, he or she may work in any U.S. federal department or agency. There is also an expectation that NSEP Scholars will use the language or regional expertise acquired as a result of the award in their work for the U.S. government.

   Check http://www.iie.org/programs/nsep/undergraduate/service.htm for FAQs about the service requirement.

5. When can I use the award?
   The 2008-2009 NSEP academic year covers study abroad during summer 2008, fall 2008, and/or spring 2008. All eligible programs for 2008-2009 must begin on or after May 15, 2008.
   NSEP promotes full academic year study, and preference will be given to applications for a full academic year. All applicants may also apply for a semester program.
   Summer-only programs are limited to freshmen, sophomores, and applied science and engineering majors, regardless of class standing. Applications for summer-only programs will only be considered if the program is eight (8) weeks or longer and is designed as a "language immersion" program.
   For purposes of eligibility, the freshman and sophomore academic year includes the summer of 2008. Seniors may apply for NSEP assistance, provided they will not graduate from MSU before or during the period of study abroad.

6. How do I apply?
   You should first discuss your application with Dr. Hakeem I. Tijani before completing online application at NSEP website, http://www.iie.org/nsep/. Dr. Tijani is the Campus Coordinator, and can be reached at Holmes Hall 321, or htijani@grizzly.morgan.edu. He will assist you in initiating the application process and provide advice as needed.
   
   All applications must be submitted online. You may save, exit, and re-access your saved application as you work on it. It is recommended you cut and paste your Statements of Purpose from a word processing document. Once completed, your submission will automatically be sent to Dr. Tijani.
   
   Completed applications must be received in Holmes Hall 321 by 5:00 PM on January 12, 2008. You will be interviewed and evaluated by an MSU review committee during the week of January 22, 2008. The on-campus review process is required and MSU will not endorse your application if you apply directly to IIE/NSEP.
   
   For further information, contact Dr. Hakeem I. Tijani, 443.885.1791 or htijani@grizzly.morgan.edu.