Can I apply for a scholarship for programs in more than one language?

No, you must choose to apply for only one language offered by the CLS Program

Do I need to submit official transcripts or are unofficial transcripts acceptable?

You may upload either an official or unofficial transcript in the online application system. If you are a freshman in college and do not yet have first term grades, you must still submit an unofficial transcript to show your courses in progress.

Do my letters of recommendation need to come from professors?

We require that each application have two letters of recommendation. Letters of reference may be submitted online through the online application. The program expects that one letter come from an academic contact, preferably a professor. The other letter should be a language reference (for advanced beginning, intermediate and advanced applicants). This letter should come from your current (or most recent) language instructor. If your instructor is unavailable, please ask someone who knows the language of your choice and who is familiar with your language capabilities to write your language reference. All letters of reference must be submitted in English, and cannot be completed by a family member. If you are applying to a beginning level program and have studied the language formally, you should submit one general letter of reference, and one language reference.

Do I need to have my application reviewed by a campus representative before it is submitted to the program?

You do not have to go through any particular office on your campus. However, the CLS Program urges you to talk with your Fellowship/scholarship Office, your Merit Awards office, your Study Abroad Office, your Office of International Affairs, or your advisor. S/he can review and offer suggestions on how ways you may be able to strengthen your application.

May I select a site or indicate a site preference if I am applying for a language that has more than one institute program site?

No. Site placement for languages where more than one site is offered will be made based on a variety of factors as determined by the CLS Program institutes and the Department of State. Additional oral and written language testing may be required before site placement is finalized. The CLS Program will not be able to accommodate site change requests before or during the program.

Where can I find information on how to submit letters of recommendation and transcripts?

For information on submitting references online, please login to your online application and click on “CLS Reference Letter” section. If you enter your references’ contact information in the online Referral Invitation, your references will be sent an email with instructions on how to submit a letter on your behalf either online or by mail.

Do beginning-level applicants need to submit a language reference form?

Beginning-level applicants who have never studied the language formally should submit two general letters of reference. If you are applying at the beginning level, but have studied the language formally, you should submit one language reference and one general letter of reference.

I do not have a current U.S. passport; do I need to apply for a new/renewed passport before the application deadline?

For most CLS programs, visas will need to be obtained shortly after acceptance into the program. Therefore, you should have a U.S. passport valid through December 2012 in hand by early February 2011. PLEASE NOTE: If you are offered a Critical Language Scholarship award and do not have a valid U.S. passport valid through 2012 (with at least two blank visa pages), the CLS Program may require you to expedite a new passport at your own expense. Up-to-date passport information can be found at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_840.html. Please note that visa fees are covered by the scholarship, but passport application fees are not.

I will be graduating in the spring. Am I still eligible?

Graduating seniors are eligible to apply, as long as you are enrolled at the time of application.

I am not currently enrolled in a degree program, but will be starting a graduate degree in the fall. Am I eligible to apply?

No, if you are not currently enrolled in a degree program, but plan to start a program in fall 2011, you are not eligible to apply.

Is the scholarship only offered to students enrolled in a US degree program?

Yes, this scholarship is only offered to students currently enrolled in a degree-granting program at a US college or university.

Is the program limited to students of specific disciplines?

No, in fact the CLS Program encourages students of diverse disciplines and majors to apply. Law students and medical students are also encouraged to apply. You must be able to clearly articulate in your application how your selected language relates to your academic field of interest and future career goals.

I participated in a previous CLS Institute. Provided that I meet the other eligibility requirements, can I apply for another grant?

Previous CLS participants are encouraged to apply to the program again, but are not given preference in selection. Past participants should make a clear case for why participating in another summer institute is important to their goals and language development, and should make a clear case for how they have worked to keep up the language skills that they gained from the previous CLS Program. Please note that if a previous CLS participant is applying to study a language other than the language he or she previously studied with the CLS Program, the applicant should make a clear case for how he or she is continuing the study of the language previously studied with the CLS Program. In addition, the applicant should specify how they will use both the previous language studied and the new language.

I grew up speaking the language that I am applying to study on the CLS Program, and/or I have family members who speak the language
    that I am applying to study on the CLS Program. Am I eligible to apply?

Applicants with a family background in the language/region are eligible to apply for the CLS Program. All applicants to the CLS Program should clearly articulate how studying the language in a formal CLS setting will advance his/her professional goals. Application requirements are the same for all applicants to the CLS Program. If you are applying to study a CLS language at the Advanced Beginning, Intermediate or Advanced level, you are required to submit one general and one target language reference with your CLS Program application materials. Beginning level applicants should submit two general letters of reference. Please see the full CLS Program Application Instructions on the online application for all eligibility and application requirements.

When will applicants be notified of their status? Will CAORC only notify applicants who have been accepted?

Applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been forwarded to the selection panels after the first round of the review process has been completed in January. Those applicants who have been forwarded to the selection panels will be notified of their application status by late February.

What is the selection process for the CLS Program?

Each complete application is reviewed by two language or area experts. The highest ranking applications (approximately one-third) are then selected for review by a national selection panel convened in Washington, DC, and participants are recommended for approval by the US Department of State.

What are the criteria for selection to the CLS Program?

Expert readers and panelists are asked to review applicants on his or her level of commitment and intent to continue language study after the CLS Program, in addition to previous academic coursework and language study. Applicants are also encouraged to clearly articulate how the study of a critical language is linked to future academic or professional goals. Reviewers seek a diverse group of participants from across the United States, and from a wide variety of academic institutions. Finally, the CLS Program is an intensive language program held in an overseas environment. Selection will also be based on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate maturity and readiness for a challenging academic and international experience.

What expenses does the scholarship cover?

All CLS program costs are covered for scholarship recipients. This includes travel between the student's US home city and program location, mandatory pre-departure orientation costs, applicable visa fees, room, board, program-sponsored travel within country, and all entrance fees for program activities. Please note that U.S. passport fees will not be paid by the scholarship, and students will be required to travel to and from his or her US home city and the airport for CLS Program travel.

Can I receive more than one scholarship or fellowship and can I hold them concurrently?

The program urges you to apply for any applicable funding for languages studies. In most cases you can receive more than one scholarship, but not at the same time. For instance, in most cases you can receive a Critical Language Scholarship for the summer and another award for the following fall. There are exceptions to these rules, so we ask all award recipients to let us know if you have received any other awards. The CLS Program requires your participation from the mandatory pre-departure orientation program through the length of the intensive institutes. No exceptions may be made for attendance of other orientation programs during the CLS Program or early departures from the CLS Program to attend other program events. PLEASE NOTE: You cannot receive funding from both a Critical Language Scholarship and a Fulbright Critical Language Enhancement award during the same year.

Can I receive academic credit for the CLS program?

The program does not grant academic credit. However, in the past many students have negotiated independently with their universities to obtain credit for the CLS program. Please seek advice from your campus should you wish to receive academic credit.

Are dependents allowed or may dependents accompany me while I am on the CLS program?

Dependents are not supported with CLS Program funding. Since this is a group program, we also discourage dependents from traveling to the country to be close to a participant. Participants will not be allowed to live in non-program provided housing with dependents. Additionally, dependents may not participate in any program activities or excursions, and the program coordinators will not be able to provide any assistance with accommodations for dependents. Further, the program is so intensive and all CLS Program activities are required, leaving little free time to spend with your dependents.

Are all accepted participants required to attend the Washington, DC pre-departure orientation?

Yes, all participants are required to attend. If you are overseas on a study-abroad program or a student at a foreign university you must return to the US for the Washington, DC pre-departure orientation.

Am I obligated to seek employment in the U.S. government following graduation?

No, the CLS program does not have any service requirement. However, it is expected that you will continue to use your language in your future academic and/or professional futures. Previous CLS recipients have sought and found successful employment in various fields not only in government, but in academia, business, research positions, non-profit organizations, public health positions, etc.

Will I be able to conduct independent research while I am on the program?

No, this program is an intensive language academic program, and you will not have free time to conduct independent research or participate in outside volunteer work or internship activities.

What level of proficiency can I expect to achieve after participating in the program?

The CLS Program is equivalent to approximately one academic year of language study.

I have a question not listed on the FAQ. Whom should I contact?

If your question is not answered on the FAQ or program details, please contact us.