Summer Grant Guidelines

Conditions of the Award: As an undergraduate Summer FLAS Fellow, the following terms and conditions are required:

1. During the summer, students are required to be enrolled in an intensive summer language program.
   1.  A summer session qualifies as an intensive language program if it provides a minimum of six (6) weeks instruction totaling at least 140 contact hours (for intermediate/200 level) or 120 contact hours (for advanced/300+ level) of language instruction.
2. Courses may be taken through a domestic, virtual, or overseas study program that is pre-approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
3. Eligible students must be enrolled at UWM and must be at the intermediate or advanced level (200-level or higher) of a Less-Commonly-Taught World Language.
4. In addition to applying for the FLAS fellowship, students must apply directly to their desired language program.
5. Studying abroad is not required, but students who plan to study abroad during summer will need to apply for international health insurance through UWM and will still need to apply for their study abroad program through UWM Study Abroad Office.
   1. Students can refer to the UWM Study Abroad Program Search and this reference document for lists of possible intensive language programs. The programs identified are not guaranteed approval by the U.S. Department of Education but are suggested based on their advertised information. 
6. All coursework must be taken for graded credit and passed successfully. Failure to maintain good academic standing and satisfactory progress may result in dismissal from the fellowship and repayment of fellowship monies already awarded.
7. Fellows must complete an instructor administered FLAS language assessment before and after their fellowship. This information will be entered into the International Resource Information System (IRIS), a database used by the U.S. Department of Education to track the FLAS Fellowship program’s contributions to national language proficiency attainment.
8. Fellows must submit a final report on the IRIS database following the end of their fellowship period.
9. Fellows are required to stay in regular contact with their FLAS coordinator and to respond to a survey regarding their use of a foreign language and area studies in employment, education, or training every two years for eight years following the fellowship.

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Application Guidelines

To apply, visit uwm.academicworks.com. Search “FLAS” and apply for the Center for International Education for the Summer. Before applying for the CIE Summer Fellowship, you must have a completed general profile on Academic Works.

Late and incomplete applications will not be considered. It is your responsibility to confirm with your recommenders whether letters have been submitted.

A complete FLAS application, done through Academic Works, consists of:

1. Personal Statement:
   1. Provide all information about the summer language intensive program you plan to participate in, including the name of the institution, number of credits and/or instructional hours, and web address/brochure outlining the details of the proposed program.
   2. If the program is overseas, Department of Education pre-approval is necessary, and you must:
      • Collect information that indicates the language instructors have a background in language pedagogy training (CV or bio) and proof that the language courses are performance-based (course description, syllabus, grading scale).
   3. Identify your academic and career objectives, specifying why you have chosen to study this particular language and how the FLAS fellowship will enable you to reach your goals.
2. Copy of your unofficial Undergraduate Transcript (available on PAWS). 
3. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation:
   1. From a foreign language instructor with whom you have recently completed a class and is familiar with your academic works.
   2. From a former or current professional (does not have to be faculty, though preferred) that can attest to your academic works.
      • Please ask that each recommender address the following:
        • The context in which they know you;
        • Your academic performance in the classroom as compared to that of your peers;
        • To the extent that they are aware of your interest in and enthusiasm for foreign language as well as area studies where that language is spoken.

The selection committee reserves the right to request additional pertinent information. Applicants will be notified of their application status approximately three weeks after the application deadline.

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Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a committee composed of UWM faculty from a variety of departments, schools and colleges, including the languages, in accordance with the following ranking criteria:

1. Strength of student’s academic record, overall and in desired foreign language classes;
2. Student statement relating applicant’s academic/course profile with future career/employment goals; interest in utilizing foreign language and area studies at a professional level; and
3. Strength of recommendation letters.

Preference will be given to students who demonstrate financial need consistent with the U.S. Department of Education’s priority for the FLAS Fellowship program.

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Funding for the Foreign Language and Areas Studies (FLAS) Fellowship program is made possible through the Office of International and Foreign Language Education, U.S. Department of Education (CFDA 84.01B; Title VI, Higher Education Act).