- What specific services do you offer to students?
- What scholarship-related resources are available for student use?
- Can all USC students come in to the Fellowships office?
- When should students come to the Fellowships office?
- What kinds of scholarships does the Fellowships office deal with?
- Does the Fellowships office actually award any scholarships?
- Does your office have anything to do with financial aid?
- What if I don't qualify for any of the awards listed here - can you still help me?
- Is there a particular deadline to be eligible for scholarships?
- What are Scholar Programs?
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What specific services do you offer to students?
We provide three levels of services and support to students. First, we try to make students aware of the nationally competitive scholarships that are available. This includes coordinating a campus-wide process by which faculty can nominate students to visit our office; sending out publications such as flyers and newsletters to prospective applicants; speaking to students individually about scholarship opportunities. Second, we help educate students about scholarship and application processes by holding a series of 10 workshops each semester, as well as meeting one-on-one with students. Third, we support students as they work through the scholarship application process. We accomplish this goal by helping students work on written materials for applications (completing forms, reviewing personal statements, etc.), for the most professional application possible. A part of this process is advising students about obtaining transcripts, sending materials, and providing other clerical resources.
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What scholarship-related resources are available for student use?
We have both staff and logistical resources. A director and assistant director are available to discuss scholarship opportunities with you and assist you throughout the application process. In terms of logistical resources, we have a library of prospectus from the United Kingdom, equipment such as typewriters and computers, printed materials from the sponsoring organization, and an office website, www.sc.edu/ofsp. We do not provide typing or data processing services for applicants. In addition, many of the scholarships have campus committees comprised of faculty who both review applications, and assist applicants with their final drafts.
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Can all USC students come in to the Fellowships office?
All academically talented students on the Columbia campus, regardless of honors status or departmental affiliation, can use our services. Because the office is primarily for undergraduate students, we are not the primary contact for graduate students. However, there are many competitions we assist students with that allow both seniors and graduate students to enter [such as NSF, Fulbright, NSEP and others], and in those cases we work closely with graduate students. Graduate students should also contact the Graduate School office .
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When should students come to the Fellowships Office?
As early as the freshman year! We offer scholarship workshops year-round for students to learn more about specific opportunities, and for freshmen, this is an easy way to get connected with our office. For upperclassmen, touching base at the beginning of a school year is a good way to put important deadlines on your calendar.
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What kinds of scholarship competitions does the Fellowships Office coordinate?
Scholarships and fellowships that are nationally competitive, and are not funded by USC. Nationally competitive means that students from all across the United States are applying for the award. Often, this indicates an increased level of competitiveness over awards that may be sponsored by state or local organizations. National awards are viewed as the hardest to win, and therefore, may require a substantial amount of preparatory work. While many perceive that these awards go to students attending elite private institutions, this is not the case. USC and many other state universities have candidates who win these prestigious awards on a regular basis. Please see our Scholarship Winners page for recent award recipients from USC.
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Does the Fellowships office actually award any scholarships?
No.
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Does your office have anything to do with financial aid?
We work closely with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and encourage students who have won a scholarship or fellowship to seek their assistance with questions. We cannot answer financial aid questions.
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What if I don't qualify for any of the awards listed here - can you still help me?
Yes. We are happy to review other national scholarship applications with you, and provide support and guidance for you. You may also discover other national awards via Internet search engines, as well as by viewing our Suggestions for Funding page. It is often helpful for students to bring in an extra copy of the application materials for our office to review prior to an appointment.
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Is there a particular deadline to be eligible for scholarships?
Yes. Each scholarship has a personality of its own, including deadlines. Once you research the scholarships that interest you, and those for which you are eligible, our office can help you with the specifics of the application process. Some of the more prestigious awards have deadlines in early fall, so we encourage students who are interested in these to begin contact us over the summer for specifics.
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What are Scholar Programs?
Our office has a two-pronged mission: to support students with national fellowship applications, and to also provide support for USC's Carolina and McNair Scholar program. Both of these scholarships are for undergraduate students from within South Carolina (Carolina Scholars) and from out-of-state (Robert C. McNair Scholars).
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**While any student is welcome to use our website in their scholarship search, the services we provide are only available to alumni or students who are currently enrolled at The University of South Carolina in Columbia.
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