National Deadline:  January 20, 2012

Eligibility requirements:

•   U.S. citizens.
•   Applicants must be in the senior year of their undergraduate study or have completed their undergraduate degree by June 2012 and must be seeking admission to enter graduate school in the fall of 2012 for a two-year program.
•    Applicants must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.

Award summary and conditions:  The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship Program seeks to attract and educate outstanding young people who desire a career in the Foreign Service.  Funded by the U.S. Department of State and managed by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University, these Fellowships prepare students to enter exciting and rewarding careers in public service as Foreign Service Officers.  The Rangel Program encourages the involvement of members of minority groups and those with financial need.  In this manner, it advances the goal of Secretary Rice and Congressman Rangel to create an excellent and diverse U.S. Foreign Service that represents the rich range of talents and expertise of the American people.

Each year, the Rangel Program selects up to 20 outstanding Rangel Fellows in a highly competitive nationwide process.  These Fellows receive up to $34,000 annually in assistance for tuition, room, board and other related expenses for completion of a two-year master’s degree in international affairs or a related topic.  They also do internships at U.S. Embassies overseas and on Capitol Hill.  Each Fellow is committed to a minimum of three years of service in an appointment as a Foreign Service Officer.     

Application materials: A completed online application includes the following:

• Background Information
• Personal statement (in 600 words or less) that discusses the applicant's reasons for applying, interest in foreign affairs, commitment to pursue a Foreign Service career and any relevant experience or information.
• Statement (in 400 words or less) from the applicant that discusses his/her need for financial assistance to attend graduate school, including an explanation of:  financial assistance received during undergraduate studies, overall education-related debt and ability/plans to pay for graduate school independently.
• Two letters of recommendation:
•  Note: In the online application, applicants will identify recommenders, who will be contacted by the program and asked to submit letters electronically. Below is a copy of the recommendation letter for your reference only. 

• One from a community leader or other individual who can comment on the applicant’s non-academic accomplishments and his/her potential
• One from a faculty member

Submission options:

Option 1 (preferred): In the online application, select recommenders to submit letters electronically. Reference the recommendation form on the Rangel Fellowship website to see how recommendations will be received.

Option 2: Submit sealed letters (with recommender signature over the envelope seal) in applicant’s supplemental materials package using the recommendation form on the Rangel Fellowship website.

Option 3: The recommender may email (the letter must be a signed PDF file) or mail an official letter in directly to the Rangel Program using the recommendation form.

Supplementary materials mailed in by applicant in one package:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship with a copy of birth certificate, certificate of U.S. citizenship or U.S. passport.   If selected as a finalist, originals will be required.
• The Student Aid Report (SAR) generated from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form FAFSA
• GRE or GMAT Scores (copy of the report that was sent to student)
• Official transcript from all colleges and universities that the applicant has attended (must be sent in a sealed/signed envelope either by applicant or by institution)
• Official Financial Aid Statement from applicant’s senior year

Mail supplementary application materials to:
Patricia H. Scroggs, Director
Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program
Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center
Howard University
2218 6th Street, NW
Washington, D.C.  20059

Faculty representative:  Keith Raether

National committee interview: In Washington, D.C.  In addition to the interview, finalists will be asked to prepare a writing sample.

Selection process:  The Rangel Program expects to award 20 fellowships in 2011. A panel of individuals with experience in the U.S. Foreign Service and academia makes selections for the Rangel Program. Consideration will be given to qualified applicants who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement in programs relevant to work of the U.S. Department of State such as international affairs, management, communications, history, political science, economics and foreign languages, and also whether a candidate demonstrates financial need. A candidate’s community, academic, extracurricular and leadership activities will be considered during the selection process.

The Rangel selection panel will choose approximately 40 finalists by the end of February. The Rangel Program staff will communicate decisions to both successful and unsuccessful applicants by the end of February. Candidates selected for final consideration will be brought to Washington, D.C. for interviews (from continental U.S. points only) and to prepare a writing sample. Finalists will be in D.C. for one full day between March 14 and March 16, 2012. The program will pay the cost of accommodations and travel to Washington, DC from within the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska.

Applicants should carefully review the Foreign Service requirements for medical, security and suitability clearances. Participation in the Rangel Program is conditional upon successful completion of pre-employment procedures specified by the Department of State, including background investigations for a security clearance, suitability determinations, medical examinations (to include spouse and eligible family members if applicable) and drug tests. For more information, see www.careers.state.gov.

The purpose of the Final Review is to determine, from the candidate's total record, whether the candidate is indeed suitable to represent the United States. The Final Review Panel has the authority to terminate a candidacy. The most common grounds for a finding of unsuitability are a recent history of drug or alcohol abuse and delinquency in repaying debt or other evidence of financial irresponsibility. (For more information on additional factors evaluated during the final review process, please log on to: http://careers.state.gov/officer/reviewpanel.html) Candidates whose file indicates such issues are unlikely to be found suitable for the Foreign Service. The Director of the Board of Examinations can reconvene a Suitability Panel should new information become available prior to hiring a candidate. Failure to meet medical, security, and suitability requirements may result in an applicant's disqualification from the fellowship program and reimbursement to the U.S. government of financial assistance paid in connection with the applicant's education.

Applicants are expected to undertake the steps necessary to complete the process of applying for a Foreign Service Officer position. 

Announcement date:  The program will strive to complete the selection process and make offers to 20 fellows by mid-March.

Contact information:

For all inquiries, please contact:  Erica Lee, Rangel Program Assistant, (202) 806-4367 or erlee@howard.edu

http://www.rangelprogram.org/index.cfm?session.areaid=2&contentid=672