Skip to main content

You may be using a Web browser that does not support standards for accessibility and user interaction. Find out why you should upgrade your browser for a better experience of this and other standards-based sites...

Dartmouth Home  Search  Index

Dartmouth HomeSearchIndex

Dartmouth home page
National Fellowships/Scholarships
Home > 

National Security Education Program/David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships

Description

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) is a scholarship opportunity for U.S. undergraduates to study abroad. Created in 1991, NSEP awards scholarships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East). The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

NSEP was designed to provide American undergraduates with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experiences in areas of the world critical to the future security of our nation, in exchange for a commitment to seek work in the federal government. As students of other cultures and languages, NSEP Scholars begin to acquire the international competence needed to communicate effectively across borders, to understand other perspectives, and to analyze increasingly fluid economic and political realities.

NSEP focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. It draws on a broad definition of national security applied by the President in his annual National Security Strategy, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including: sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.

NSEP scholarships are intended to provide support to U.S. undergraduates who will pursue the study of languages and cultures currently underrepresented in study abroad and critical to U.S. national security. Awards are for one school year, semester (term), or summer programs.

The NSEP service requirement stipulates that an award recipient work in the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or the Intelligence Community. If, after making a full and good faith effort (according to conditions and rules established by NSEP), an award recipient demonstrates to NSEP that no appropriate position is available in one of these agencies, he or she may work in any U.S. federal department or agency. There is also an expectation that NSEP Scholars will use the language or regional expertise acquired as a result of the award in their work for the U.S. government.

top

Eligibility

As a U.S. undergraduate student, you are eligible to apply for an NSEP Boren scholarship if you are:

  1. A U.S. citizen at the time of application.
  2. A high school graduate, or have earned a GED, and are matriculated as a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior in a U.S. post-secondary institution, including universities, colleges, and community colleges accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
  3. Applying to engage in a study abroad experience in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand that meets home institution standards.
  4. Planning to use the scholarship for study abroad and the study abroad program ends before you graduate. NSEP undergraduate scholarships are not for study in the United States.

top

Endorsement & Interview

NSEP applicants must be endorsed by the Dartmouth College Committee on Graduate Fellowships. In order to be endorsed, you must:

  1. Complete the online application and submit the application electronically by the campus deadline. This will go to Scholarship Advising and NOT to the NSEP.
  2. Submit the following to Scholarship Advising by the campus deadline:
    • Two letters of recommendation (required), third (optional)
    • Official Transcript
    • One page study abroad program description
    • Letters of support for direct enrollment (if applicable)

The Committee on Graduate Fellowships will read your application materials. All applicants will be interviewed for the purpose of rating their applications.

If you are endorsed, you will be required to edit and revise your application essays with the Writing Editor.

top

Letters of Recommendation

The 2 or 3 Letters of Recommendation should be sent to Scholarship Advising, 6201 Wentworth Hall, Hanover, NH 03755 or HB6201.

For more information on recommendation letters, click here.

top

Final Application Submission

Nominees will submit final applications online by February 6, 2007.

The Scholarship Advising office will:

  1. Mail your letters of recommendation, official transcript, program description, and letters of support (if applicable) directly to the NSEP.
  2. Attach the letter of endorsement to your online application.
  3. Officially submit your application online to the NSEP.

top

NSEP Application Schedule

January 25, 2008

Campus deadline for electronic application and all other materials

January 29-31, 2008

Committee on Graduate Fellowship Interviews

February 6, 2008

Dartmouth deadline for final electronic application and supplemental material submission

February 12, 2008

NSEP deadline for final electronic application and supplemental material submission by Scholarship Advising

May 2008

Scholarship Recipients Announced



top

Additional Information

NSEP Website

Email Scholarship Advising

Frequently Asked Questions

top

Last Updated: 1/17/08