Prospective Graduate Students

Competitive Graduate Awards

Guidelines For Academic Year 2009-2010

Purpose

The purpose of the CGA program is to support highly qualified new students, including students from underrepresented groups, who are accepted into advanced degree programs at SIUE.

Awards

There will be approximately 19 CGA awards for the nine-month academic year 2009-2010. They will include a monthly stipend, as well as waiver of tuition. The amount of the stipend is $7,920 ($880 per month).

Eligibility

Applicants must be new graduate students, whose first term of enrollment as a classified student in a graduate degree program at SIUE will be no earlier than Summer 2009. SIUE undergraduates approved for admission to a 3+2 program may submit an application provided their eligibility for such enrollment does not occur before Summer 2009.

Application Deadline

To be considered for an Academic Year 2009-2010 CGA, the following must be received by the Graduate School no later than Thursday, January 15, 2009, by 4:30 p.m.:

      *  Your completed CGA applications and supporting materials (three letters of
         recommendation, all official undergraduate transcripts, cover sheet, statement
         of history, statement of goals and waiver form and your official TOEFL scores
         (international students only) must be on file in the Graduate School;
      *  Your completed application for admission as a degree-seeking graduate student
         at SIUE, which includes all official undergraduate transcripts, and for international
         students, official TOEFL scores, must be on file in the Graduate Admissions Office.

Application Procedure

Students submit their CGA applications directly to the Graduate School:

Students submit their applications for admittance into Southern Illinois University Edwardsville:

Applications must include official undergraduate transcripts and, for international students, official TOEFL scores. Check your application status by calling 618/650-3160 or emailing slehman@siue.edu

Spring 2008 Application & Award Timeline

CGA Application Materials

All CGA documents must be received by the Graduate School by 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2009.

CGA Application packets must include the following documents:

• Application cover sheet.
• Official transcripts from the baccalaureate degree-granting institution or where the degree is in progress, and from all other institutions at which baccalaureate or post-baccalaureate work has been completed.
• Statement of personal history and career goals.   The Graduate School will not accept a resume as a substitute. (See Review Criteria below.)
• Statement of Research, Scholarly, or Creative Interests.  (may be used by the graduate program in their evaluation of candidates.
• Three letters of recommendation mailed directly to the Graduate School. The University Fellowship and Scholarship Committee strongly recommends that letters specifically address the applicant's qualifications for the Competitive Graduate Award.
• For international students, official TOEFL scores (minimum 550 required). The Graduate School will NOT accept copies sent by the applicants.
• Applicant's Instruction and Waiver Form for Recommendation Letters. 
• Statement of Financial need form.  (Use only if you intend to demonstrate financial need)

It is recommended that you print out the Checklist of Required Materials and the list of frequently asked questions along with all of the application materials.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application packet is complete by contacting the SIUE Graduate School at (618) 650-3010 or by email at gradsch@siue.edu.

Review Criteria

The University Fellowship and Scholarship Committee will review each eligible application based upon the following criteria:

• In evaluating evidence available in application packet, the Committee will most strongly consider--
  • Writing sample (statement of personal history and career goals)
    
  • Evaluation by graduate program
    
  • Letters of recommendation
    
  • Overall grade point average
    
  • Grade point average in undergraduate major
    
    
• In evaluating the writing sample and letters of recommendation, the Committee will consider
  • Evidence of applicant's intellectual curiosity
    
  • Applicant's potential to excel in graduate work
    
  • Confidence applicant will complete the master's degree
    
  • Extent to which applicant is likely to benefit from the CGA

Conditions of Award

Recipients of Competitive Graduate Awards:

• must carry a full-time academic course load (9 semester hours or more) of graduate-level work;
  
• must remain in good academic standing throughout the term of their CGAs; and
  
• may not work in any paid university position during the term of their CGAs.
  

If a recipient fails to comply with these conditions, the Graduate School may revoke the Award.