Morris K. Udall Undergraduate Scholarships

Scholarships are offered in any of three categories:

1. To students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to the environment; or

2. To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to tribal public policy; or

3. To Native American and Alaska Native students who have demonstrated commitment to careers related to Native health care.

The Udall Foundation seeks future leaders across a wide spectrum of environmental fields, including policy, engineering, science, education, urban planning and renewal, business, health, justice, and economics. The Foundation also seeks future Native American and Alaska Native leaders in public and community health care, tribal government, and public policy affecting Native American communities, including land and resource management, economic development, and education.

Each nominee must:

• Be a matriculated sophomore or junior-level student at a two-year or four-year institution of higher education, pursuing a bachelor's or associate's degree during the 2007-2008 academic year. "Sophomore" is defined as a student who intends at least two more years of full-time undergraduate study beginning in fall 2008. "Junior" is defined as a student who intends at least one more year of full-time undergraduate study beginning in the fall. (Students may apply for funding in both their sophomore and junior years; 3rd time applicants, however, will not be eligible.)

• Be committed to a career related to the environment, OR committed to a career in tribal public policy OR Native American health care (only Native Americans and Alaska Natives* are eligible to apply in tribal public policy or Native American health care). Native American students studying tribal public policy or native health do not need to demonstrate commitment to the environment. Likewise, students pursuing environmentally related careers do not need to be Native American, nor do they need to demonstrate commitment to tribal public policy or Native health.

• Have a college grade-point average of at least a "B" or the equivalent.

• Be pursuing full-time study during the following academic year.

• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or U.S. permanent resident.

• For the purposes of the Scholarship Program, a Native American or Alaska Native is any individual who is:

1. 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;

2. 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;

3. Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian for any purpose;

4. An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native;

5. A permanent U.S. resident who is a member of the First Nations of Canada.

 
Applicants must submit copies of relevant enrollment forms or descent documentation. Applicants who are members of the First Nations of Canada must submit proof of U.S. permanent residency.

The Faculty Representative

Students are nominated by their college or university’s faculty representative, who is the liaison between the institution and the Foundation. Each university may nominate up to six candidates for the Udall Scholarship. The Udall FacRep oversees the selection of the institution’s nominees, helps nominees prepare for the competition, and submits the nomination materials to the Foundation by the specified deadline.

The Nomination Materials

The following items are required for each nominee:

• A completed, signed Udall Scholarship Application;

• An 800-word essay, signed and dated;

• A current official college transcript and transcripts for other colleges attended;

• Three letters of recommendation.

Nomination and application information must be submitted on forms from the Foundation’s website or on photocopies of these forms. Recreated forms and attachments of additional information will not be accepted. The application and essay must be typed or word-processed; handwritten applications will not be accepted.

Submission of Nomination Materials

Send complete nomination packages to: Scholarship Program, Morris K. Udall Foundation, 130 S. Scott Avenue, Tucson, AZ  85701. (Institutional deadlines may be up to 6 months earlier; be sure to contact your faculty representative.)