Experiential Learning Scholarship FAQs

  • Undergraduate and graduate students from all University of Montana disciplines may apply
  • Individual students may apply
  • An individual within a group may apply (group applications are not accepted)
  • A student must have a faculty/staff mentor oversee and approve the experience by completing a recommendation process (faculty/staff will receive an automated email after you include their contact information on the application)
  • Student applicants must be in good academic standing (GPA of 2.0 or higher) and there must be no outstanding holds or debts on the applicant's student account
  • Plan to enroll at UM in the subsequent term

In addition, for Internship (low-paid* or unpaid) experiences:

  • The internship must be connected to UM course credit
  • The internship must be either low-paid or unpaid*
  • Students must be registered in Handshake
  • Students must complete an Online Learning Agreement for their internship
  • Upon return, share a short video, quote, or photos of your experience with Experiential Learning and Career Success to share with future applicants and scholarship donors.
  • International students must have work authorization for the internship to be eligible**

* A low-paid internship is defined as receiving less than minimum wage ($9.95/hour)

** Work authorization for the internship must be retained from the International Students and Scholars (ISS) Office

Research/Internship/Service/Professional Development

  • Research: Related to any field. Some examples include: examining the relationship between water quality and the lifespan of aquatic organisms; conducting a study to examine factors that lead to the development of chronic disorders; or designing a new piece of equipment.
  • Internship (low-paid or unpaid): A traditional internship, for credit that is connected to an academic department at UM, at an organization that offers the applicant career development and growth in the area of study they are interested in pursuing. 
  • Service: Related to any field. Examples include: creating an education program to support your community; coordinating support for a group that is in need. 
  • Professional Development: Related to any field. Examples include: Attending a local conference (no travel needed). Attending a local event that has a meaningful impact on your professional development.

Producing an Academic Creative Work:

  • Must be related to an academic department on the UM campus. Some examples include: producing a video (fiction or non-fiction); creating a sculpture or other artistic work; creating a piece of literature. Important note for all applicants: If one is traveling to present a project that has already been completed or to attend a seminar to help with background for a project, then the main category for evaluation should be travel. If one is traveling to create a new project or work then the main category for evaluation should be travel.

Travel

  • Approvable Travel Requests: to present a research/creative project, intern, service or participate in professional development.
  • Travel to participate in National Student Exchange or Study Abroad
    • There must be a strong indication in the budget line showing that the majority of the expenses for this type of experience are covered by other means. The committee will not be able to approve funding without this information.
  • Most commonly presentations/hosting a conference or workshop/service/participating in professional development.
  • If one is traveling to present a project that has already been completed or to attend a seminar to help with the background for a project, then the main category for evaluation should be travel. If one is traveling to create a new project or work then the main category for evaluation should be travel.

  • Submit a one-page maximum (single-spaced, 12 pt., 1-inch margins) Scholarship Project/Experience Proposal document containing your plans for low-paid or unpaid internship, research or creative work, travel, service, study away, or participation in a professional development experience, etc.
  • Follow the rubric for your project/experience type. The rubric is what the committee uses to score each scholarship application:
  • Budget Form:The budget form is now embedded in the online application, but you can preview it here in order to gather and organize your information before you begin your application. You will need to include projected costs for each component of your project/experience, along with the amounts that will be covered by other funding sources and the amounts you are requesting from the Experiential Learning Scholarship Fund. If you are selected for an award, be prepared to provide documentation related to how you estimated your project budget (ex., receipts, online estimates, etc.).
  • Ensure your faculty/staff mentor is prepared to complete a reference when they receive an email from us asking them to do so. We strongly recommend you communicate with your faculty mentor well in advance of the deadline so they are prepared to complete your reference prior to the deadline.
  • Complete all application questions

Some general suggestions for students wanting to make their applications stronger are the following:

  • Write a strong proposal that articulates a compelling link between the Experiential Learning opportunity and your current program of study/ future and career aspirations. We strongly recommend the UM Writing and Public Speaking Center for assistance with your proposal.
  • Use your proposal as a way to set yourself apart from your fellow applicants. Tell us what makes you unique–your personal challenges, experiences, dreams, accomplishments, etc.
  • Present a strong letter of recommendation from someone who knows you well and, ideally, is faculty/staff in your field of study at UM.

Experiential Learning Scholarship Fund recipients are selected by the ELSF committee. The committee is composed of faculty, staff, undergraduate and graduate students. The committee uses the ELSF rubrics to score applicants.

Yes. Applications should include a recommendation from a UM faculty or staff member. Your faculty/staff mentor is expected to oversee/mentor your project/experience. You will include your faculty/staff mentor’s email in the scholarship application. ELSF will then send the faculty/staff mentor an email requesting they complete the recommendation form before the application deadline.

Your recommendation should come from a UM faculty or staff who knows you well and is overseeing and mentoring your project/experience. They will confirm this in their endorsement. The faculty/staff member must be from the University of Montana. 

The applicant's faculty/staff mentor will provide an endorsement of the following:

  • Evaluation of the student and how this experience connects to your career plans, your ability to complete the project/experience, and the necessity/value of traveling or attending an event/conference.
  • Evaluation of the proposed project/experience, especially: (1) potential for student learning and (2) feasibility/likelihood of success, including a willingness to oversee and mentor the student.
  • Faculty/staff mentor role, in serving as a faculty/staff mentor for the duration of the project.
  • Whether you understand and will be in compliance with IRB, IACUC, or other UM requirements for the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research that may be applicable to the proposed project (for research projects).
  • The applicant will include the faculty/staff mentor's email in the scholarship application. ELSF will then send the faculty/staff mentor an email requesting they complete the recommendation. It is the student's responsibility to communicate with the faculty/staff prior to applying to give the faculty mentor time to complete the recommendation.

No. Please only apply for one experience.

You may apply for this scholarship once per academic year. As long as you meet all of the requirements and have not already received this scholarship this year, you may submit another application. However, note that the committee will but will give a strong preference towards new applicants and new projects. If you have applied but have not been funded, we treat your application just as we would a brand new application.

Scholarship applicants will be informed of their status approximately 7-8 weeks after the scholarship deadline. 

Please be aware that this funding counts towards the student's financial aid eligibility and could disrupt their current financial aid package. If you have concerns regarding financial aid implications, please talk with the scholarship program staff and UM Financial Aid.

  • You may apply for $100-$2,000. Award decisions will take into account project costs and other funding as outlined in the budget you submit with your application.
  • Scholarship funding will be disbursed to a student's account after the student has been vetted by Business Services for any holds and through Financial Aid to determine how this funding will affect their financial aid package*.
  • This funding counts towards the student's financial aid eligibility and could disrupt their current financial aid package. Students who have a strong budget with receipts/documentation are able to share this with Financial Aid to possibly raise their financial aid threshold. If you have concerns regarding financial aid implications, please talk with the scholarship program staff and UM Financial Aid.

Group applications will not be considered. The group must submit their applications as individuals, with separate materials for each applicant. Please indicate in your cover letter that you are working with other applicants. Funds are awarded based on individual application quality, which means certain group members may receive funding from ELSF while others do not.

No. Extensions or late application materials will not be accepted. This is part of the learning experience of asking for scholarships. Our deadlines are set, and our allocation dates have been published. Prepare early to complete your application on time! Please note that your faculty/staff mentor’s recommendation form must also be received by the application deadline.

The Experiential Learning Scholarship Fund Committee cannot guarantee funding for any individual student. All students are given the right to apply, but the right to funding is determined by the merit and strength of the individual application, as well as the availability of funding.

No. Due to possible liability, we cannot support a project after a student has graduates.