Overview

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 has served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years of service in the United States 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.

The Foundation awards undergraduate scholarships to outstanding students, known as Barry M. Goldwater Scholars, in the spring for use during the following 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 academic year following award of the scholarship-who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. Boston University is eligible to nominate up to four students who are in the sophomore or junior class during the year of application. To be considered, a student must be nominated by Boston University.

The Foundation awards up to 250 Goldwater Scholarships. The number of scholarships to be awarded per state will depend on the number and qualifications of the nominees from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and, considered as a single entity, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The word "resident" as used in this context refers to a person who has legal residence in the state from which he or she is a candidate. This status might be indicated by parents' place of residence. If that criterion of residence is not relevant, the candidate's legal residence will be determined by his or her eligibility for in-state tuition rates (where applicable) and place of voter registration.

Career in Mathematics, the Natural Sciences, or Engineering

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Program was created to encourage outstanding students to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering and to foster excellence in those fields.

In awarding scholarships, the Foundation Board of Trustees will consider the nominee's field of study and career objectives and the extent to which that individual has the commitment and potential to make a significant contribution to his or her field.

Nominees for Goldwater Scholarships must include in their nomination materials a statement of interest in a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering, detailing how their academic program and their overall educational plans will prepare them for their chosen career goal. It is expected that students selected as scholars will pursue advanced degrees. Students who plan to study medicine are eligible for a Goldwater Scholarship only if they plan a research career rather than a career as a medical doctor in a private practice.

Eligibility

To be considered for nomination as a Goldwater Scholar, a student must:

• Be a full-time matriculated sophomore or junior pursuing a degree at Boston University during the academic year of application. "Sophomore" is defined as a student who plans two more years of full-time undergraduate study beginning the year after application. Sophomore nominees can expect to receive a maximum of two years of support. "Junior" is defined as a student who plans one more year of full-time undergraduate study beginning the year after application. Junior nominees can expect to receive a maximum of one year of support.
• Have a college grade-point average of at least "B" and be in the upper fourth of his or her class. Boston University requires a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative grade point average for consideration.
• Be a United States citizen, a resident alien, or, in the case of nominees from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, a United States national. Nominations from resident aliens must include a letter of the nominee's intent to obtain United States citizenship and a photocopy of the Alien Registration Card.

Criteria

Applicants will be judged according to the following criteria: demonstrated potential for and commitment to a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering, and outstanding academic performance.

Application Process

Persons interested in applying for a Goldwater Scholarship must submit an application form, available on the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program web site, to the Boston University Office of the Provost by early November. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applications will be considered by the Boston University Fellowship and Scholarship Committee. Only applicants nominated by the University can proceed with the competition.

An independent review committee appointed by the Foundation evaluates all valid nominations and recommends the most outstanding nominees from each state for consideration by the Foundation Board of Trustees.

From among the candidates recommended by the independent review committee, the Board of Trustees names up to 250 Barry M. Goldwater Scholars. The number of scholarships awarded per state depends on the number and qualifications of the nominees from the 53 jurisdictions.

Award Value and Conditions

Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, room, and board, up to a maximum of $7,000 annually. Scholarship monies not used during one academic year are not transferable to the succeeding academic year. 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.

To be eligible to receive payments, a Goldwater Scholar must submit in writing an acceptance of the scholarship award and, at the beginning of each academic term, a statement of eligible expenses, certified by Boston University, including those for tuition, fees, books, room, and board; an additional certification regarding the scholar's academic program; and other certifications as required by law or regulation.

Payments from the Foundation may supplement, but not duplicate, benefits from another foundation, institution, or organization. In other words, the benefits from all sources combined may not exceed the costs of tuition, fees, books, room, and board.

It is the intent of the Foundation to support junior-level scholarships for a maximum of two academic years and senior-level scholarships for a maximum of one academic year. Renewal for junior-level scholars will be in accordance with the regulations established by the Foundation Board of Trustees and will be subject to an annual review and certification by Boston University that:

• the scholar is a full-time student and is taking a course of study, training, or other educational activities to prepare for a career in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering,
• the scholar is not engaged in gainful employment that interferes with the scholar's studies, and
• the scholar is in good academic standing.

Additional information about the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships can be found on the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program web site.