BARRY M. GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP

http://www.act.org/goldwater

Selected Previous SMU Goldwater Scholars

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program was authorized by the United States Congress in 1986 to honor Senator Barry M. Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. The creation of this program pays tribute to the leadership, courage, and vision of Senator Goldwater and establishes in his name an endowed recognition program to foster and encourage excellence in science and mathematics.  The purpose of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, as stated in the enabling legislation, is to alleviate a critical current and future shortage of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. A more realistic statement of the purpose, in today's terms, is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified individuals to those fields of academic study and research.  The Foundation is supported by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Fund, which has been established in the Treasury of the United States. Funding for awards and administrative expenses derives from interest on the Trust Fund, invested in U.S. securities.

General Information
The Foundation will award undergraduate scholarships to outstanding students in the spring for use during the next academic year. The awards will be made on the basis of merit to two groups of students -- those who will be college juniors and those who will be college seniors in the next  academic year -- who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. Four-year institutions are eligible to nominate up to four students who are in the sophomore or junior class during the current academic year. To be considered, a student must be nominated by his or her college or university using the official nomination materials available to each institution on the Foundation's website.

Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually.  Junior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of two years of scholarship support, and senior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of one year of scholarship support

 Applications will be evaluated on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrated potential for a research career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.

Characteristics of a typical Goldwater Scholar include:

1.    Outstanding academic record
2.    Excellent grades in rigorous science and mathematics courses.
3.    Previous research experience, employment in a research setting, or participation in science-oriented activities; documentation of one or more of these activities with a letter of recommendation in the final application.
4.    Well written responses to the requests for specific information on the final application.

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