How to Get Started
Research scholarships, fellowships, and awards
Search for competitions for which you may be eligible to apply. You can start with the ones listed on the UVA Wise website.
Visit the Office of National Awards and Fellowships to learn about other opportunities.
Attend sessions, webinars, and other activities that offer information and guidance on eligibility, applications, and other important details.
Before you apply
Be thoughtful and intentional about the process. Competitive scholarships require more than just filling out a form and clicking a button.
Generally, your application should be the result of several weeks or months of reflection, research, and planning. Before you jump into an application, take sufficient time to prepare for the process.
Questions to ask yourself:
- Are you ready to take on the application and, if you win, the project?
- What qualifies you for this opportunity? (coursework, work experience, research experience, time spent abroad, extracurricular activities, skills, etc.)
- What are your professional and personal goals? How will this experience fit in with those goals?
- Do you have language necessary for the project, if it is required?
- How will you take advantage of this experience when it is complete?
Build your team
Identify people who can advise and support you, including academic advisors, professors, the fellowships advisor (Neva Bryan), the study abroad advisor (Amelia Harris), and others.
Identify individuals who are willing to write letters of recommendation for you.
Create your application
Read the application guidelines carefully!
Understand internal and external deadlines.
Meet with the fellowships advisor to create an action plan to tackle the application.
Gather documents and materials that are required for your application. These may include transcripts, resumes, videos, etc.
Use the information you gathered and the preparation you did to craft your application.
Submit!
Learn from the process
Whether or not you win the competition, you should have learned about yourself in the process of applying.
Reflect on successes and failures.
Think about other opportunities for which this application prepared you.