SHSU Scholarship Application Information

 

Applications for International Education Fee Scholarships for Spring/Summer/Fall 2009 will be accepted at any time before the deadline of November 1 , 2008.
Applications should be delivered to the Office of International Programs, Farrington Building, Room 116, P.O. Box 2150, Huntsville, Texas, 77341-2150.  If you do not receive notification that we have received your application, please contact this office at (936) 294-3276.

Study Abroad International Activities and Programs Committee for Academic Year 2007/2008

Reiko Clark, Chair
Mitchell Roth, Criminal Justice
Chi-Sing Li, Education
Renee Starnes, Finance and Operations
Judy Smith, Enrollment Management
Kimberly Spradlin, Student Services
Michael Lau, Arts and Sciences
Isabel Ruiz, Business Administration
Debra Andrist, Humanities and Social Science

Kristina Nungaray, Student Member

1. Congratulations on your decision to invest in your future by participating in a study abroad opportunity!
2. The International Education Fee Scholarship funded by the one dollar per semester fee provides scholarships to supplement the cost of international studies. Scholarships will be awarded in three amounts: $2,000, $650 and $200. Scholarship awards of $2,000 will be made to SHSU undergraduate students who study abroad for at least one long semester and take courses approved by the Texas Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Scholarship awards of $650 will be made (a) to SHSU undergraduate students enrolled in a summer SHSU study abroad college credit course approved by the Texas Coordinating Board for Higher Education, or (b) for international programs organized by other institutions so long as those hours are transferable to SHSU for academic credit. Scholarships of $200 may be awarded for SHSU graduate students who enroll in SHSU summer study abroad programs.
3. International Education Fee Scholarship awards will be awarded at least twice per year: once in the fall and once in the spring. Please note that the Committee reserves the right to make additional awards and to change policies as circumstances require.
4. Application for Spring/Summer/Fall 09 awards will be accepted until 5 pm, November 1, 2008. The International Activities and Programs Committee will be contacting applicants approximately two weeks later. The Committee is not obligated to accept any applications after 5 pm, November 1, 2008. Do not give your application for scholarships to faculty members. The Office of International Programs, Farrington Building, Room 116 is the contact office for accepting all applications.
5. International Education Fee Scholarships are limited to full-time students enrolled in programs that will result in academic credit. Preference will be given to students applying to Sam Houston State University -sponsored programs. Scholarships will not be granted for non-academic related travel and are subject to the conditions described below.
6. Please read the "Application Procedures and the "International Education Fee Scholarship Guidelines" carefully before completing the Application and signing the International Education Fee Scholarship Acceptance Agreement.
7. If you have questions, please email oip@shsu.edu

Application Procedures

1. Applications must be submitted at the Office of International Programs, Farrington Building, 116. The mailing address is the Office of International Programs, Sam Houston State University, Box 2150, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2150.
2. All applications for Spring/Summer/Fall 09 MUST be received by 5 pm November 1, 2008.
3. All applications must be complete.
4. The application package should be placed in an unsealed envelope so that the OIP staff can make sure that you have included: the application form, a signed copy of the International Education Fee Scholarship Acceptance Agreement, a copy of your unofficial transcript, proof of your current full-time student enrollment, and if necessary, a letter from your department chair indicating that the course work taken from another institution is transferable. A letter is not needed if you are applying for an SHSU-sponsored course.
5. Students who apply for a scholarship for a course of study abroad of at least one long semester, and wish to be considered for a scholarship in the amount of $2,000 must also submit a statement of purpose and two letters of recommendation from professors.

International Education Fee Scholarship Guidelines

• Authority and Source of Funds:

The International Education Fee Scholarship award program is authorized under a law passed by the 72nd Legislature of the State of Texas. That law provides that students of SHSU may vote to levy an international education scholarship fee of $1.00 per semester to fund the scholarship. The funds collected, according to the legislative provisions, may be used only to assist students in international study programs. No funds are used to cover the costs of administrating the program.

• Definition:

For purposes of this program, international study consists of any academic work done outside of the United States of America which, in terms of quality and subject matter, meets degree and course requirements of Sam Houston State University.

• Awarding Authority:

International Activities and Programs Committee is chaired by the Director, Office of International Programs. Members include the President of SHSU Student Government Association, one representative from the Office of the Vice President of Student Life, one representative from the Office of the Vice President of Finance, and one faculty member from each college.

• Eligibility:

To be eligible to receive an international education fee scholarship, students must meet the following minimum requirements:

1. Be enrolled in good standing in a degree granting program or admitted into a designated degree program.
2. Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA if an undergraduate student or 3.5 GPA if a graduate student at SHSU.
3. Be currently enrolled full-time at SHSU at the time of application.
4. Propose study that results in academic credit through either SHSU or through an institution whereby college credit hours are transferable to SHSU. To determine if a particular program is approved by your department for transfer to SHSU, please contact your academic adviser or department chair for your major.
5. Submit a completed application form, sign an acceptance agreement and, if applying for a scholarship to attend a non-SHSU sponsored program, attach a letter
   from your adviser indicating that the course will transfer for academic credit.

• Contractual Agreement:

In applying for an International Education Fee Scholarship, each student agrees to the following if awarded a scholarship:

1. To successfully complete the academic requirements of the course or program and to earn a passing grade for college credit.
2. To follow all laws, rules and regulations of the host country and host institution.
3. To obtain health insurance that includes repatriation and emergency evacuation provisions as required by the Texas State University System.
4. To comply with all rules and regulations of the organizers and sponsors of the international program.
5. To accept personal responsibility for one’s safety and health and to exercise prudent behavior, being aware that all international travel involves potential risks to personal health and safety.
6. To indemnify SHSU, the Texas State University System, and the State of Texas and its agents from any liability arising from participation in any international program or activity.
7. To inform the Office of International Programs of any change in plans regarding the course or program and to understand that if the student elects not to participate in the course specified in the application after being awarded a scholarship, that student is responsible to notify the Office of International Programs and to return the funds.
8. To refund all or part of the scholarship in the event of failure to fulfill contractual agreements as determined by the International Activities and Programs Committee.

Failure to comply with the above contractual conditions of the scholarship may result in punitive action against the student which may include, but are not limited to, suit for repayment of scholarship funds, issuance of complaint against the student to the Office of Student Life for disciplinary action which may result in suspension, termination, blocking a student from registration, or blocking a student's records. Criminal violations may result in referral to appropriate authorities for appropriate action which may include prosecution.

• Completion of Program:

Scholarships are only awarded for programs resulting in academic credit that is transferable or counts towards a student's academic progress. Evidence of completion shall consist of a passing grade submitted by an SHSU professor and entered into a student's SHSU transcript or by a transcript issued by the host institution if the program was not organized by SHSU. As previously stated, students must furnish proof that the course or program will be accepted by SHSU in order to be considered for a scholarship.

• Amounts and Use of Scholarship Funds:

Scholarships will be awarded in three amounts: $2,000, $650, and $200. Scholarship awards of $2,000 will be made to SHSU undergraduate students who study abroad for at least one long semester and take courses approved by the Texas Coordinating Board for Higher Education. Scholarship awards of $650 will be made (a) to SHSU undergraduate students enrolled in a summer SHSU study abroad college credit course approved by the Texas Coordinating Board for Higher Education, or (b) for programs organized by other institutions so long as those hours are transferable to SHSU for academic credit. Scholarships of $200 may be awarded for SHSU graduate students who enroll in SHSU summer study abroad programs.

• Right to Change Policies:

The International Activities and Programs Committee and SHSU reserve the right to change policies as circumstances require. This may include altering the selection criteria, the amounts of the scholarship or any other conditions or terms. Such changes would be made public through the SHSU homepage under "Study Abroad" and only after approval by the administration. It is the goal of the committee to have an efficient, merit-based, fair scholarship program and to propose changes to avoid unintended results that conflict with the program goals of promoting international educational experiences for SHSU students.

Forms

Scholarship Application and International Education Fee Scholarship Acceptance Agreement

Contact: oip@shsu.edu