The purpose of the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship program is to “foster and encourage excellence in mathematics, the natural sciences, and engineering.” The Goldwater Foundation seeks scholars who are committed to a career in science, mathematics, or engineering, and who display intellectual intensity, and have the potential for significant future contribution in his or her chosen field.
The Goldwater Scholarship provides a grant toward the last year or last two years of undergraduate tuition and living expenses for students in science, mathematics, and engineering who are planning careers in research. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses for tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually. MSU may nominate up to four candidates, who may be either juniors or sophomores at the time of nomination. Applicants should have strong research experience, be U.S. citizens, and have a high GPA (the mean GPA among Scholars is 3.95).
For more information about the scholarship, visit the Goldwater Scholarship website. https://goldwaterscholarship.gov/
The Goldwater Scholarship requires an institutional endorsement. If you intend to apply, make sure you know that the MSU internal competition deadline is November 1st.
How to Apply
- Review the Goldwater Scholarship website to make sure you are eligible: https://goldwaterscholarship.gov/
- Review the Distinguished Student Awards Office (DSAO) Goldwater Presentation
- Complete the DSAO Intent to apply form at studentawards.msu.edu to get on our list of applicants
- Complete the Goldwater pre-application here: https://apply.scholarsapply.org/barrygoldwater/ and you will receive an email if you are approved to continue.
- Work with the DSAO Office (studentawards@msu.edu) on a draft of your application and resume.
Application Components:
- Online Goldwater Scholarship application (example application) Goldwater Example Application
- Research essay
- Three recommendations (have a conversation with DSA Office first, recommenders should be STEM faculty who have supervised your research or taught you, no high school teachers, no graduate students or postdocs), Goldwater Recommendation Handout
- Transcripts from all higher education institutions attended after high school
- Resume using the DSAO Resume Template
