THOMAS W. RIVERS FOREIGN EXCHANGE ENDOWMENT FUND

 

STUDY ABROAD AWARDS APPLICATION

 

The Thomas W. Rivers Study Abroad Award is intended to provide partial support for eligible students who wish to advance their research/study in their individual fields through participation in research and/or coursework abroad. It is the belief of the contributors to the fund established by Thomas W. and Izabel Rivers that “exposure to and understanding of other cultures is education in its truest sense, and the recognition that the world is our campus will foster friendship and enlightenment among students, university communities, and nations of the world.”

 

Award amounts may vary depending on the performance of the endowment account and the quality and quantity of applications received.

 

A committee made up of University faculty and administrators will review applications for the awards. All applicants will receive notification in writing regarding the status of their applications as soon as possible after the review.

 

 

To be considered for an award, an individual must

 

·          Be a full-time degree or certificate seeking student at ECU.

·          Have completed a minimum of 24 credits at ECU by time of application for undergraduates (minimum 12 credit hours for transfer students);

·          Have a good record of academic achievement: minimum GPA 3.0 (If GPA is lower than 3.0, significant compensatory factors must be indicated in the statement of purpose);

·          Meet admission requirements of the school or program to be attended;

·          Know or plan to study the language of instruction of the institution where s/he will study;

·          Demonstrate good citizenship and character through community and/or university activities; possess the qualities of inquisitive, ambitious and unbiased minds;

·          Intend to participate in the credit-bearing study program for at least one academic term (summer, semester or year) [Priority will be given to students’ whose academic programs require study abroad. Priority will also be given to full-time programs (6 credit hours/summer; 9 credit hours/semester.)];

·          Provide details of any extraordinary circumstances that might outweigh any of the above factors;

·          Submit a signed complete application. The chances that your application will be successful may be diminished if any information that the Rivers Committee deems essential is missing.

 

A complete application includes

 

·          A statement of financial feasibility or budget

·          What are the costs of your trip?

·          How are you going to pay for the trip?

·          What other sources of funding and amounts, including financial aid, scholarships do you have, if any?

·          How much money are you requesting?

·          A statement that describes your proposed study, research or internship including answers to the following questions:

·          What is your area of study at ECU?

·          What do you plan to study abroad?

·          How does your proposed program abroad relate to your course of study at ECU? (Describe how studying or conducting research abroad will fulfill and enhance your research/study at ECU.

·          How will your proposed program abroad contribute to your professional goals?

·          2 letters of reference from professors familiar with your academic work. It is suggested that one of these be from your major advisor.

·          Your most recent transcript (Please sign the statement included with the application allowing Committee to review your academic records)

·          Program acceptance letter (If your exchange program or study abroad program is sponsored by ECU’s Office of International Affairs, you do not need to submit this item.)

 

The deadlines for applications are:

 

November 1                for Spring travel

February 15                for Summer travel

May 1                                 for Fall travel

 

Return all application materials to:

 

Rivers Endowment Fund Awards Committee

Office of International Affairs

306 East Ninth Street

Greenville, NC 37858-4353

THOMAS W. RIVERS FOREIGN EXCHANGE ENDOWMENT FUND

 

STUDY ABROAD AWARDS APPLICATION FORM

 

Please read the attached information sheet for complete instructions. Please type your application or print nearly, using BLACK ink.

 

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

Name:                                     

Student ID number:                                  

Local Address:                        

                                                                       

Local Telephone number:                                  

Permanent Address:                                 

                                                                       

Telephone number:                                  

 

STUDENT STATUS:

___ Undergraduate  ___ Graduate   ___ Transfer    (Check all that apply)

 

Cumulative GPA =______            GPA in Major = ______

 

Number of credits completed at ECU _____ 

 

ECU College and Department:                           

 

Major (or Degree Program):                               

 

Anticipated Graduation Date:                                                                Advisor:                                  

 

Have you previously received a study abroad/exchange program award from the Thomas W. Rivers Endowment Fund?                        YES_______                        NO________

If so, when did you receive them?                                     

How much did you receive?                          

 

Describe the community and/or University activities in which you have been involved:

                

                

                

                

                

                

 

PERMISSION TO VERIFY ELIGIBILITY: For the purpose of verifying my eligibility to participate in the study abroad or exchange program and receive an award, I grant permission to the River Endowment Fund Awards Committee and study abroad/exchange programs administrators to review my records at East Carolina University. By signing this release, I understand that these records may include my academic and any disciplinary actions by the University.

 

Name (Print)

 

Signature                              Date               


Information Regarding Study Abroad or Exchange Program:

 

Title:             

 

Country:                          Language of Instruction:    

 

Program Dates:                                                              Number of Credits Expected:                               

 

Graduate Student Thesis Topic (if applicable):                                                    

 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:

 

Write and print out a 1 to 3-page essay (200 to 1000 words) describing concisely your proposed study, research or internship, including responses to the following questions:

 

1)   What is your area of study at ECU?

 

2)   Where and what do you plan to study abroad?

 

3)   How does your proposed program abroad relate to your course of study at ECU?

(This part of the essay should explain how studying or conducting research abroad will fulfill and enhance your research/study at ECU).

 

4)   How will your proposed program abroad contribute to your professional goals?

 

5)   How will your proposed program abroad contribute to your general life goals?

 

If necessary, please account in addition for any extraordinary circumstances that might outweigh one or more of the requirements for the award (e.g., 3.0 GPA, no prior receipt of Rivers funding).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Budget

 

The Thomas W. Rivers Awards are intended to help you meet the costs of study abroad or exchange participation. They are not intended to cover the entire costs of such participation. Award amounts may vary depending on the performance of the endowment account and the quality and quantity of applications received.

 

For what period of time is this budget?

 

_____  Summer Term I            _____  Fall Semester

_____  Summer Term II                        _____  Spring Semester

 

 

Transportation (from Greenville to study abroad site and return to Greenville)

 

$

Tuition and Fees (May be included in the program fee)

 

$

Housing (May be included in the program fee)

 

$

Meals (Some or all may be included in the program fee)

 

$

Personal Expenses

 

$

Books/Supplies

 

$

Local Travel or Travel During Free Time

 

$

UNC-System Medical Insurance (required)

 

$

Other (Please specify) May include passport, visa costs, required medical exams, inoculations, etc.

 

 

 

$

                                                                                      TOTAL

 

$

 

Are you receiving any financial aid/scholarships that can be applied to study abroad? YES____            NO_____

If so, please specify types of aid and amounts.

________________________________________________________________     $__________

________________________________________________________________     $__________

________________________________________________________________     $__________

 

Where will you get your funds while you study abroad? Please specify sources and amounts.

________________________________________________________________     $__________

________________________________________________________________     $__________

________________________________________________________________     $__________

 

Amount requested from Thomas W. Rivers Endowment Fund: $____________________ (Applications not naming a specific amount will not be considered)

 

 

 

 

THOMAS W. RIVERS FOREIGN EXCHANGE ENDOWMENT FUND

STUDY ABROAD AWARD APPLICATION

 

ACADEMIC REFERENCE FORM

 

 

To be completed by the applicant

 

Name ________________________________________________________________________________

 

Reference requested from _______________________________________________________________

 

 

To the applicant: Under U.S. Federal Law (Section 438 or Public Law 90-247, as amended), students are permitted access to certain educational records. Section 438 (a)(2)(B) provides that a student may wait the right to inspect confidential letters of recommendation. Many applicants have found that recommendation letters may have a greater effect when such letters are written in confidence. If you waive your right to inspect the information requested on this form, please sign below.

 

______________________________________________________________       _______________________________

Applicant’s signature                                                                                   Date

 

 

To be completed by the referee

 

To the referee:  The student referenced above is applying for a Thomas W. Rivers Endowment Fund study abroad award/exchange program award. Since participants serve as representative of their nation and institution, we are concerned with both academic excellence and personal suitability of the applicant.  Those who established the endowment expected students to have demonstrated good citizenship and character through community and/or university activities and to possess the qualities of inquisitive, ambitious and unbiased minds. The selection committee will give significant weight to the information provided by referees. Your time and effort in personalizing this reference is very important. Please note that East Carolina University becomes legally responsible for the information provided in this reference once it has been submitted.

 

How long have you known the applicant? _________ 

In what capacity? ______________________________________________________________

 

Please indicate the applicant’s ability and academic competence in comparison with other individuals whom you have known at similar stages of their academic careers.

 

 

 

    5

Superior

4

3

Average

2

1

Deficient

Inadequate opportunity  to observe

Knowledge in area of specialization

 

 

 

 

 

 

Motivation and seriousness of purpose

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ability to plan and carry out research/independent study

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ability to express thoughts in speech and writing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emotional stability and maturity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Self-reliance and independence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(over)

 

 

Please comment specifically on the applicant in terms of the following: (a) demonstrations of good citizenship and character through community and/or university activities; (b) possession of an inquisitive, ambitious and unbiased mind; (c) academic suitability for study in an institution abroad; (d) personal suitability for living abroad; (e) how participation in the exchange program or study abroad program will be of benefit, both academically and personally; (f) weaknesses; (g) linguistic preparation, if applicable; and (h) any other factors which you believe may affect a successful experience in a student exchange or study abroad program. (Please type if possible.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_________________________________________       _________________________

Referee’s signature                                                                              Date

 

___________________________________________________          _______________________________

Name (Please type or print clearly)                                                      Position or title

 

___________________________________________________           _______________________________

Office Address                                                                                       Telephone

 

 

                                  Please return this form by __________________________ to:

 

 

                         Rivers Endowment Fund Awards Committee

                                         Office of International Affairs

                                         306 East Ninth Street

                                         Greenville, NC 27858-4252

                                          252-328-1937

 

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR

 

TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM

 

Please complete the following information and have the form mailed back to us. Student delivered copies will not be accepted.

 

 

 

 

 

Name: __________________________________________________________

            Last                                             First                                                 Middle

 

 

Student ID Number: ____________________________________________________________

 

Local Address:________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

_____________________________________________________________________________

 

Phone: _______________________________________________________________________

 

 

Date of First Enrollment:                      Month ___________    Year ___________

 

Date of Last Enrollment:                      Month ___________    Year ___________

 

 

The requested transcript should be sent directly to:

 

Rivers Endowment Fund Awards Committee

Office of International Affairs

306 East Ninth Street

Greenville, NC 37858-4353

 

 

 

Student Signature: _____________________________________________________________

 

Date: ________________________________________________________________________