Application information 2017-18 Program of African Studies Northwestern University Presented by: Rebecca Shereikis, PAS Introductions: Me, Meagan, Study Abroad people Students: Name, UG/G, department/program, summer or AY, what language

US Department of Education Program. Eligibility limited to US citizens or permanent residents. Goal: to assist students undergoing training in modern foreign languages and related area or international studies. PAS competed for and was awarded FLAS funding for 2014-2018. FLAS is part of a program called Title VI, which is basically the core funding for area studies coming from the Dept. of Education. Goal: train experts in area studies who have really good language skills, whether for academic or government or other careers. Every four years, DoE holds a competition. American universities with strong area studies centers can compete to become FLAS-granting institutions. This cycle, Program of African Studies decided to compete and we were awarded FLAS fellowships.

Summer FLAS (for graduate or undergraduates). Graduate Academic Year FLAS

What is it? Summer FLAS awards are to be used for intensive summer study of an African language in an eligible program. Not intended for general study abroad programs with a language component. Focus is on language study.

Am I eligible? You must be: A US citizen or permanent resident. Currently enrolled as a full-time student at NU. Students graduating in June 2017 are not eligible. Undergraduates: able place in intermediate (2nd year) or above in the chosen language.

What languages can I study? Any modern foreign language used in Africa, other than Spanish, French, or German. Examples: Arabic, Akan, Amharic, Hausa, Kinyarwanda, Lingala, Somali, Swahili, Wolof, Yoruba

Emphasis on Africa Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate that intensive summer study of a language is integral to an academic program that includes African Studies. “African Studies” includes North Africa For applicants seeking FLAS for an Arabic language program overseas, preference will be given to programs located in Africa (e.g., Morocco) Because the Title VI award is to the Program of African Studies, preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate that study of Arabic or Swahili is integral to an academic program that includes African Studies.  Our definition of “African Studies” includes North Africa and therefore students in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) program will be competitive for academic year FLAS awards if they can demonstrate an emphasis on North Africa in their coursework or research.

What makes a summer language program eligible? Must provide equivalent of 1 academic year of language instruction at NU. Must be at least 6 weeks long. Must offer a minimum of 140 contact hours of instruction at beginning or intermediate level, and 120 contact hours at the advanced level. Student identifies the program, but it must meet certain eligibility critera. Contact hour is defined as actual time in the classroom (not including breaks and meal times) with an instructor and may include lectures, recitations, drill sessions, and regularly scheduled tutoring sessions, but may NOT include office hours. Class sessions focused on culture and/or area studies and field trips may NOT be counted towards contact hours even if they are taught in the target language. Independent Study: only in very rare cases and requires DoE approval. Consult with me early on if this is the case to determine whether this option is appropriate.

What about study abroad programs that combine language instruction with area studies courses? Eligible only if the language portion of the program meets the summer program criteria for length and contact hours. Summer FLAS funds may not be used to cover tuition and fees for the area studies portion of the program. Examples of study abroad programs with eligible language components: Boston University: Zanzibar: Swahili Language & Culture in East Africa program. University of Pennsylvania: Zulu Immersion Program in South Africa . Study abroad programs that include a combination of language instruction & area studies courses are NOT eligible unless the language portion of the program meets the summer program eligibility criteria. Summer FLAS funds may not be used to cover tuition and fees for the area studies portion of the program, even if the overall program is deemed eligible. Ask the program to break down tuition for area studies portion and language portion.

Level of Language Instruction Undergraduates must enroll in intermediate or advanced levels. Graduate students may enroll in beginning levels & above.

Location Programs in US or overseas are eligible, but Overseas programs are only for intermediate or advanced levels and must be approved by DoED in advance. Graduate students may be allowed to use FLAS for an overseas program at beginning level if that language is not taught in US during summer.

Registration & Credit You must be registered for academic credit and receive a letter grade for the summer language program. It is your choice whether or not to seek permission to transfer credit for the summer language program back to Northwestern. Will return to the credit question for undergraduates later.

$5,000 for tuition & required fees. How much is the award? $5,000 for tuition & required fees. $2,500 to cover living & travel expenses. Depending on availability of funds, a travel award of up to $1,000 may also be made to cover cost of traveling to and from the summer language program location. Travel award: you do not need to apply separately. If you must travel off-site for the program, you will automatically be entered in the travel award competition. Only if asked: Stipend may be used to cover tuition above $5,000 at the fellow’s discretion. For summer programs that charge a comprehensive program fee that includes tuition, housing, meals, travel, textbooks, and/or cultural activities, the amount of the program fee for housing, meals, travel, textbooks, and/or cultural activities will be subtracted from the program fee to arrive at the tuition amount. Only the tuition in this strict sense may be covered with the tuition portion of the Summer FLAS award. The portion of the program fee for housing, meals, travel and/or textbooks must be covered with the stipend and/or personal funds.

How many summer fellowships will PAS award in summer 2017? At least: 2 undergraduate summer FLAS. 1 graduate summer FLAS. Additional summer fellowships may be available.

Can the Program of African Studies help me locate an eligible summer program? PAS can provide a list of overseas programs that were approved last grant cycle. Ask Arabic instructors to recommend quality Arabic programs. NU’s summer intensive Arabic program through School of Professional Studies is eligible! It is the student's responsibility to apply for and secure admission to an eligible summer program in a timely manner.

Examples of FLAS-eligible summer programs in the US: University of Illinois Summer Institute of Languages of the Muslim World (SILMW): Arabic, Swahili, Wolof University of Florida African Flagship Language Initiative: Akan, Hausa, Lingala, Swahili, Wolof, Yoruba Boston University: Amharic, Kinyarwanda Indiana University: Arabic, Swahili Kansas University: Arabic, Somali, Swahili Not exhaustive!

Arabic programs abroad that were approved for NU students by Ed Arabic programs abroad that were approved for NU students by Ed. Department in summer 2015: AMIDEAST Intensive Arabic in Rabat, Morocco Qalam wa Lawh Center for Arabic Studies in Rabat, Morocco University of Minnesota Arabic Language & Culture in Morocco, Fez Arab American Language Institute in Morocco (AALIM), Meknes Qasid Arabic Institute, Amman, Jordan Not exhaustive!

What happens if I am awarded a summer FLAS but then am not admitted into the summer program of my choice? If you are not admitted into an eligible program, you cannot use the FLAS award. If your first-choice program is highly competitive, we recommend that you have a back-up plan in case you are not admitted.

What is it? Provides support to graduate or professional students to encourage the study of less commonly taught modern foreign languages in combination with area studies, international studies, or international aspects of professional studies. PAS can award 2 Graduate Academic Year fellowships for 2017-18.

Am I eligible? You must be: A US citizen or permanent resident. Currently enrolled as a graduate student at Northwestern and in good standing with TGS. Incoming students also eligible.

Eligible Languages Taught at UIUC through CIC Course Share Eligible Languages at Northwestern Arabic Swahili Eligible Languages Taught at UIUC through CIC Course Share Wolof Zulu To be eligible for AY FLAS you must be studying language during the academic year. Therefore the only eligible languages are the African languages we teach at NU: Arabic & Swahili.

Emphasis on African Studies Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate that Arabic, Swahili, Wolof, or Zulu is integral to an academic program that includes African Studies. “African Studies” includes North Africa. Because the Title VI award is to the Program of African Studies, preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate that study of Arabic or Swahili is integral to an academic program that includes African Studies.  Our definition of “African Studies” includes North Africa and therefore students in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) program will be competitive for academic year FLAS awards if they can demonstrate an emphasis on North Africa in their coursework or research.

What does the award provide? Stipend (at same level as TGS stipend) Payment of tuition & mandatory fees For fall, winter, and spring quarters (2017-18). How much is stipend? $15,000 for 9 months. However, standard practice at NU is that when a student receives outside funding and the stipend is less than the departmental stipend, TGS tops off the stipend. We anticipate that they will do so in this case so the stipend should be the same as what you would receive from your department.

Fellowship Requirements Enroll full-time in fall, winter, spring (2017- 18) Enroll for graded credit in one language course (Arabic, Swahili, Wolof, or Zulu) each quarter. Enroll for graded credit in one course with significant African content (see PAS course list) each quarter. Attend AFRISEM on a regular basis. Meet DoED requirements for reporting. What courses are eligible? -All classes on the PAS course list. -Courses on MENA list with significant N. African content. -Others on a case-by-case basis Africa Seminar is an interdisciplinary, student-driven seminar that meets every two weeks. Peer review of work is focus—grant proposals, papers, etc., but also discussion of topics in the field, guest lectures, etc. NOT a for-credit course, so does not count towards your area/international studies course. Why do I need to attend AFRISEM if I am studying Middle East? Since funding is coming from African Studies, we determined that it is reasonable to expect the fellowship recipients to have a connection with African Studies. DoE Reporting requirements: -Pre and post-award language assessments. -Post award report. -Periodic surveys to demonstrate impact of FLAS on your career.

How do I apply? Applications for summer 2017 and AY 2017-18 fellowship are due Friday, February 3, 2017.

A complete application includes: The Application Form (available on the PAS website). Supporting Documents. Two Letters of Recommendation. Optional: Provide information on financial need.

Required supporting documents Statement of Purpose. 1-2 single spaced pages describing: How the proposed language study fits in with your thesis, dissertation project, or degree program. How you intend to use the language. How the language and area study will contribute to your ultimate career goals. Other information (including study, travel, or work experience) that will help in evaluating your application.

Required supporting documents (cont.) Transcripts: Undergraduates: submit transcripts from all colleges/universities, including NU. Graduate students: submit most recent NU transcript. Unofficial transcripts that you can access via CEASER are acceptable. Curriculum vitae: graduate students only.

Two Letters of Recommendation 1 from individual familiar with your academic work, preferably your advisor. 1 from your language instructor if you have taken a formal language course at the college level within last 2 years. Otherwise, provide a second academic letter of reference. Letters must be emailed by recommenders to African-studies@northwestern.edu.

Financial Need Information (Optional) FLAS awarded on basis of academic merit. But, competitive preference given to students who demonstrate financial need. All other factors being equal, applicants with higher need will be given preference.

How does the selection committee determine my financial need? If you want your need to be considered, you must do the following: Undergraduates: Submit a signed Release Form with your application. The Financial Aid Office will provide information directly to PAS. Graduate students: Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. UG Release form will be available on PAS website along with online application. Graduate students: FAFSA is the mechanism that TGS uses to determine financial need. You submit FAFSA and results will be sent to TGS. TGS will communicate info to us based on your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) value. Selection committee needs to have this information by first week of March, which is why we recommend that you submit FAFSA asap but no later than February 6 so that the information will be available in time.

If I do not submit or release information on my financial need, does this disqualify me? No. Financial need is not an eligibility criteria for FLAS. Students who do not submit/release information on their financial need will be placed in the “no identified need” category.

Does not commit you to studying abroad or transferring credit. Special Instructions for Undergraduates Using FLAS for an Overseas Program If you are considering transferring credit to NU, you must complete the NU Study Abroad Application by the deadline of March 1, 2017. Does not commit you to studying abroad or transferring credit. If you decide to transfer credit, $900 SAAF applies. Completing the application does not commit you to studying abroad or transferring credit, since you can withdraw your application for a Non-NU Summer study abroad program later without penalty. However, if you do not complete the study abroad application by March 1, 2016, you will not have the option to transfer credit later. Therefore we advise students who have any intention of transferring credit, or are unsure if they will want to transfer credit, to submit the study abroad application by the deadline. Undergraduates who receive credit for study abroad at Northwestern must pay the Northwestern University Study Abroad Administrative Fee (SAAF). The fee for summer 2016 is $900. It will be charged to your student account during summer term once you are have been registered by the Study Abroad Office for the summer study abroad placeholder course. Information on the SAAF can be found at http://www.northwestern.edu/studyabroad/guide/money-matters/program-costs-fees.html We will send you a reminder about this deadline once we receive your application.

Who decides on FLAS awards? The Program of African Studies Awards Committee, comprised of the PAS Director (Will Reno) and several faculty members, will decide on the awards. Input will be solicited from NU Swahili and Arabic faculty as appropriate.

What selection criteria are used? Fellowships are awarded on the basis of academic merit, including: The applicant’s overall academic record based on indices such as GPA and letters of recommendation. The degree to which the applicant’s academic program reflects a commitment to African Studies (including North Africa). How well the applicant’s proposed program of language and African Studies fits into his/her overall academic and career goals.

Awards will be announced no later than March 10, 2017. Selected students must accept awards no later than March 27, 2017.

FLAS REQUIREMENTS If I am awarded a FLAS, what are my obligations to NU and the Department of Education? Comply with NU requirements for Global Health and Safety. Take a pre- and post-award language proficiency assessment, administered by a language instructor. Complete a post-award report for the DoED. Respond to period surveys from the DoED.

Whom should I contact with questions? Rebecca Shereikis & Meagan Keefe at PAS. Send questions to: African.studies@northwestern.edu

QUESTIONS?