Diversity Scholarship Nomination Form


    The nomination period for 2024-25 is now complete and this scholarship has been decided upon. Please check back at a later date to submit for 2025-26.

     

    The Graduate School is pleased to invite nominations for Diversity Scholarships for the 2024-2025 academic year. Diversity Scholarships will be awarded, pending availability of funds, to recruit the most qualified graduate students who add to the diversity of graduate programs. Any incoming graduate student who is a US citizens or permanent resident may be nominated for this award. The scholarship includes stipend, full tuition, and health insurance; both master’s and doctoral degree students are eligible. In addition to evidence that nominees will contribute to the diversity of the program and the university, competitive nominees typically have a strong undergraduate records and excellent letters of recommendation that speak to the nominee’s scholarly ability and potential to succeed in a graduate program. Candidates accepting this scholarship agree to participate in monthly professional development meetings offered through the Graduate School. Programs may request that the Diversity Scholar be assigned to an assistantship when the work to be performed contributes significantly to the student's academic experience or professional development, as appropriate to the discipline. Students who are assigned assistantship duties may not work more than 20 hours per week.

    The department chair or the program’s director of graduate studies is expected to endorse the nomination, and the departmental chair must provide a letter of financial support. Self-nomination by student candidates will not be accepted.

    Nominations materials include:
    1. A letter of nomination, addressed to Dr. Beth Boehm, Dean of the Graduate School, that summarizes the following criteria:

    • How the student contributes to the program’s diversity: A brief statement on how the student’s background and experience will enrich the diversity of your program and the campus community.
    • Evidence of academic success: A concise summary of the candidate's academic qualifications, including any awards or honors achieved.
    • Other indicators for success in the program and graduate school: A clear exposition of all documented strengths that speak to the potential for success in the graduate program, examples of which are prior research experience, exceptional community engagement or service, leadership experience, evidence of creativity and/or resilience, and/or other unique experiences or background that will contribute to the program.
    • Program support: A clear explanation of what criteria are used to predict success in the program, and a description of the activities, programs, and/or structures within the program and/or university used to support student success and retention. Examples of student support include, but are not limited to, professional development, experiential learning, community‐building, and mentoring

    2. Undergraduate and, if appropriate, graduate transcripts (scan and send as a PDF).

    3. Student’s curriculum vitae or resume, where appropriate
    4. Letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the candidate's academic ability (two maximum).
    5. TOEFL, IELTS, IESL or Duolingo scores, where appropriate.

    • Note: The GRE General Test (or other acceptable standardized test scores, e.g., GMAT, MCAT, Miller Analogies Test) may be required for specific program admissions but is not required for a Diversity Scholarship nomination and will not be considered as part of the review.

    6. A letter of support, addressed to Dr. Beth Boehm, from the department chair or the unit dean, indicating commitment of subsequent year(s) of financial support.

    • A Diversity Scholarship for doctoral students is a one-year award from August 1 (or matriculation date) through June 30, renewable for one additional year beginning July 1. To be eligible, programs, departments or units must certify that they will support the student at the same or higher stipend rate, plus tuition and health insurance, for the same number of years as the Graduate School (so, a match of one year for each year the Graduate School funds). The minimum doctoral stipend rate begins at $19,000 per year, depending on the discipline. Renewals will be based upon the recommendation of the program and the student's progress toward her/his degree.
    • A Diversity Scholarship for master’s students is a 10-month award from August 1 (or matriculation date) through May 31. To be eligible, programs, departments or units must certify that they will support the student at the same or higher stipend rate, plus tuition and health insurance, for an additional 10-month period. The minimum ten-month stipend rate for master’s students is $1,000 per month, depending on discipline.

    All nominations submitted on or before Tuesday, February 6, 2024, will be considered for the initial round of awards that will be made by the middle of February. However, awards to qualified students will continue as long as funds are available, so nominations will be accepted after February 6th as well.

    Programs are reminded that UofL is a signatory to the Council of Graduate Schools “Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants,” and that students may not be compelled to accept scholarship offers prior to April 15.

    Please contact with any questions.