Education Abroad Access Flight Voucher Program - Call for Nominations

Education Abroad is proud to continue the EA Access Flight Voucher program. This is an exciting initiative that awards at least $10,000 annually to cover the cost of airfare for selected study abroad students.  

This initiative is unique in many ways but, most importantly, awards are based off of nominations from faculty and staff.

We encourage you to nominate a student for the 2017-2018 award cycle. Nominations are due by January 25th, 2017.  

Here’s why you should take the time to nominate a student: 

International airfare is a high-priced, out of pocket expense for students studying abroad - easily reaching up to $2,500.

Students cannot use financial aid or regular scholarships for the purchase of flights due to federal regulations and disbursement of funds. 

You work with students who may not have previously interacted with EA or thought study abroad was possible!

A nomination means we are relieving a student from additional steps in the study abroad process, which can sometimes feel overwhelming to a student who is already balancing school, work, extracurricular activities, and more.

We know you work closely with students who may qualify for this award and see this as your opportunity to invest in the students you believe in most!

I have included additional details about the program below but feel free to contact me if you have any questions. 

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Please nominate a student who meets the following criteria:

1.       Have an expressed interest in study abroad (student does NOT need to have visited the EA office or have an application started);

2.       Be in good academic standing (as most study abroad programs require a 2.5-3.0 to be considered for admission, nominees who meet this GPA requirement will be given priority); 

3.       Demonstrate high financial need (Education Abroad will review student’s financial aid profile through the Office of Student Financial Aid);

4.       Identify as one or more of the following:

·         Racial/Ethnic minority

·         Student with disability

·         LGBT

·         First generation college student

Students who meet the above eligibility requirements and part of one of the following programs will be given special consideration:

o   College Success Scholar
o   Black Male Initiative
o   MCNAIR Scholar
o   Academic Achievement Program

Nominations will be reviewed by Education Abroad. We anticipate selecting 5-8 students from the pool.

NOMINATION PROCESS & DEADLINE

Nominations can be submitted via e-mail to Rebecca La Creta at rlacreta@umd.edu. 

Nominations must be submitted by Wednesday, January 25th, 2017 by COB (5:00pm).

Students who have heard about the flight voucher are welcome to request a nomination from faculty and staff. However, in order to be considered for an award, the student must still have the faculty or staff member submit the nomination and letter of endorsement on their behalf to EA. 

Your nomination must include the following:

1.       Student’s name, UID, and Contact Information (e-mail and/or telephone)

2.       Letter of endorsement*  that gives the student’s profile/background and answers the following questions:

a.       How has this student demonstrated that he/she/they will benefit personally, professionally, and academically by a credit bearing international experience?

b.      In what ways does this student show promise that he/she/they will represent the rich diversity of the University of Maryland and the United States of America in a highly positive manner while abroad? (Can be though a variety of indicators such as written work, behavioral conduct, academic performance, faculty/staff/peer interaction.)

c.       Why is this student highly deserving and in need of the support of the EA Flight Voucher program?

d.      Optional) Based on your interactions with the student, where (region or country) does the student wish to study? For how long (semester or short term)? This does NOT affect the student’s nomination.

*The length of the endorsement letter should fully answer the questions and effectively highlight the positive attributes of the student. Therefore, it is up to you to determine the appropriate length of the letter. EA has no word or page requirement.

TERMS OF PROGRAM

By accepting a nomination, students must commit to studying abroad within the 2017-2018 academic year that the award is provided. The flight voucher can only be used for an EA approved, credit bearing study abroad program during the following terms:

·         Summer 2017

·         Fall 2017

·         Full Year 2017-2018

·         Winter 2018

·         Spring 2018

By the time of application for study abroad, the flight voucher recipient must have an academic background that meets the admissions requirements for study abroad programs (good academic standing, no judicial or financial blocks, a GPA of 2.5 or higher)

By nominating a student into the Education Abroad flight voucher program, you are giving a UMD student: 

1.       A strong incentive for them to consider studying abroad, and a reason to begin the study abroad process.

2.       A free roundtrip flight to their study abroad destination should your nominee be selected for an award.

3.       Membership into a highly supportive, study abroad advising program which will connect the student to invaluable resources to additional study abroad funding, scholarship application support, program selection, and academic advising.

4.       A welcome reception that will allow each nominee to establish a cohort with other flight voucher nominees who will also be studying abroad.

5.       Someone outside of Education Abroad who believes in their potential to be a symbol of the UMD and American diversity that can be a fearless and innovative global citizen.

Thank you in advance for your nominations.