Graduate Diversity Recruitment Bonus

ANTICIPATED RELEASE DATE FOR PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT: JANUARY 9, 2008

The Graduate School will accept nominations for the 2008-09 Graduate Diversity Recruitment Bonus Program. The purpose of the program is to advance inclusiveness in graduate education, to enrich the academic environment by embracing a broad range of perspectives, and to prepare students for their future roles as leaders in a diverse society.

To that end, the program is designed to augment recruitment-based departmental assistantship and fellowship offers to incoming graduate students with meritorious records and demonstrated potential for graduate study by offering bonuses to students from divergent and/or nontraditional backgrounds.

Scholarship Award Level

Awards will provide eligible recipients with nonrenewable recruitment scholarships of $5,000 for their first academic year of graduate study.

Eligibility Criteria

Scholarship recipients will be evaluated by a faculty committee and determined by the graduate dean based on the following:

Part A

Nominees must meet all of the following criteria:

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• meritorious academic achievement and leadership potential as reflected in grade point average, GRE or other test scores, publications, presentations, awards/honors, and/or other professional activity;
• status as a first-time OSU graduate degree-seeking student in any graduate field for the approaching academic year (OSU baccalaureate recipients may be eligible);
• documented offer of departmental or program support in .49 FTE graduate assistantship, fellowship, or equivalent.

Part B

In addition to Part A, nominees must meet at least two of the following diversity enhancement-based criteria:

• previously participated in a TRIO Program (Educational Opportunity Center, Talent Search, Student Support Services, Upward Bound, McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program);
• previously participated in a College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP);
• previously attended a Historically Black College or University (HBCU);
• previously attended a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI);
• previously attended a Tribal College;
• primary language is other than English;
• documented financial need (based upon FAFSA application process) with consideration of low income status;
• first generation to attend a university;
• participation in a Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU);
• demonstrated engagement with communities that are underrepresented in higher education and an ability to bring this experience to the learning environment;
• interest in using the diversity of human experience as an educational resource in teaching and scholarship.

Nomination Process

• a nominating letter from the department chair, head or interdisciplinary program director articulating:
  • the student’s academic merit and potential for success in graduate study;
  • the basis for which the diversity bonus is being sought (i.e., relevant criteria in Part B above) and how the bonus will contribute toward an inclusive graduate community within the department/program;
  • specific details of departmental or program financial support offer (including quarterly stipend level and FTE, duration of appointment, tuition remission, health benefits, etc.). Departmental support must be at the level of a .49 FTE graduate assistantship, fellowship, or equivalent.
• two additional letters of recommendation. Letters submitted for admission purposes may be utilized;
• the student’s résumé or curriculum vitae
• the student’s statement of academic goals
• transcripts of all post-high school academic work (note: must be supplied for incoming students)

Nominations Deadline

Nominations must be received by the Graduate School by February 1, 2008 to be given priority consideration. Initial awards will be announced by March 1, 2008. After the initial deadline, nominations will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds have been awarded.