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Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

Program Overview

The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Foundation will award undergraduate scholarships to outstanding students, to be known as Barry M. Goldwater Scholars, in the spring of 2013 for use during the 2013-2014 academic year. The awards will be made on the basis of merit to two groups of students - those who will be college juniors and those who will be college seniors in the 2013-2014 academic year - who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering.

Four-year institutions are eligible to nominate up to four students who are in the sophomore or junior class during the 2012-2013 academic year. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. Scholarship monies not used during one academic year are not transferable to the succeeding academic year. Junior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of two years of scholarship support, and senior-level scholarship recipients are eligible for a maximum of one year of scholarship support.

The Trustees intend to award up to 300 Goldwater Scholarships. The number of scholarships to be awarded per state will depend on the number and qualifications of the nominees from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and, considered as a single entity, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The word "resident" as used in this context refers to a person who has legal residence in the state from which he or she is a candidate. This status might be indicated by parents' place of residence. If that criterion of residence is not relevant, the candidate's legal residence will be determined by his or her eligibility for in-state tuition rates (where applicable) and place of voter registration.

Eligibility

To be considered for nomination as a Goldwater Scholar, a student must:

  • Be a full-time matriculated sophomore or junior pursuing a degree at an accredited institution of higher education during the 2012-2013 academic year. "Sophomore" is defined as a student who plans two more years of full-time undergraduate study beginning September 2013. Sophomore nominees can expect to receive a maximum of two years of support. Students in two-year colleges who plan to transfer to a baccalaureate program at another institution may be nominated. "Junior" is defined as a student who plans one more year of full-time undergraduate study beginning September 2013. Junior nominees can expect to receive a maximum of one year of support.
  • Have a college grade-point average of at least "B" (or the equivalent) and be in the upper fourth of his or her class. (Note: though the Goldwater Scholarship only requires a 3.0 average, the typical winning applicant has a GPA in the 3.9 range)
  • Be a United States citizen, a permanent resident, or, in the case of nominees from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, a United States national. Nominations from permanent residents must include a letter of the nominee's intent to obtain U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the Permanent Resident Card (formerly known as the Alien Registration Card).

Selection Criteria

Successful Goldwater candidates usually meet most or all of the following selection criteria:

  • Outstanding academic work, reflected in a top-notch GPA and backed by superlative letters of recommendation.
  • A demonstrated interest in a research career.
  • Intensive scientific research experience, usually more than one summer's worth. Many candidates have one experience on-campus and one off-campus.
  • A desire to complete a terminal degree within their chosen academic field, almost always a Ph.D.

Application Process

To be considered for PSU's four nominations for this scholarship, please submit ONE COPY of the following materials to Advising & Career Services, University Services Building by 5:00pm on January 9, 2013.

  • A completed application form, which may be completed online via the Goldwater Scholarship website and then printed.
  • An essay describing your research plans, as detailed in the application form.
  • Three letters of recommendation, which may be submitted online or directly in hard-copy form to ACS.
  • An unofficial transcript from Portland State.
  • Any transcript(s) from other institutions that the applicant attended with grades for courses taken.
  • A completed Scholarship Nomination Permission Form and Waiver.

Please ensure that all materials for the on-campus nomination process conform to these submission guidelines.

Scholarship candidates are encouraged to read and follow this Goldwater application advice.

Ethical Guidelines

All applicants are expected to adhere to these ethical guidelines. 

Frequency: Annually

Link to Application: Goldwater Scholarship Website