FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND AREA STUDIES (FLAS) FELLOWSHIP

FLAS fellowships support graduate and undergraduate study in modern foreign languages in combination with area studies, international studies, or international or area aspects of professional studies. These fellowships are administered by the University of Illinois Area Studies Centers and Programs, and are awarded through an annual competition. Students from all departments and professional schools are encouraged to apply. Priority is given to the study of less commonly taught languages and each Center has specific priorities.

The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) FLAS fellowships may be used for the study of Brazilian Portuguese, Quechua or any other Amerindian Language, or at the advanced level (third-year or above) Spanish. Priority is given to the study of less commonly taught languages. Applicants are ineligible for support to study a language of which they are a native speaker. CLACS awards Summer FLAS fellowships only to graduate students, and Academic Year FLAS fellowships to both graduate and undergraduate students.

For more information click here

FLAS FELLOWSHIP INFO, 2018-19
(no longer taking submissions)FLAS

  1. Eligibility and Requirements
  2. How to Apply
  3. FAQs
  4. Current Fellowship Recipients
  5. Past Fellowship Recipients


 

FLAS SUMMER 2018

Only graduate students are eligible to apply for this summer fellowship. The awards carry a stipend of $2,500 plus tuition and fees of $5,000 to study a language. In some cases, a travel award may also be made. Students desiring to study overseas are advised to confer with the CLACS FLAS coordinator early in the planning process.
 

FLAS ACADEMIC YEAR 2018- 2019

  • Graduate students: may receive full tuition and fee waiver and a stipend of $15,000 payable over the academic year. Eligibility for tuition waiver varies by home department and school.
  • Undergraduate students: may receive $10,000 towards tuition and fees to study at the University of Illinois and a stipend of $5,000.
  • FUNDING UPDATE (AY 2018-19)

    The U.S. Department of Education, which underwrites the FLAS program, has not yet notified us, or any other college or university in the United States, about our allocation for the 2018-2022 FLAS funding cycle, which includes the coming academic year (2018-19). In anticipation of receiving this funding, the application will include all UIUC Centers that have applied for Title VI FLAS Fellowship allocations; however, a Center cannot guarantee an academic year fellowship without notification of their FLAS allocation. Summer 2018 funding is already granted for CAS, CGS, CLACS, EUC, and REEEC.




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FLAS ELIGIBILITY and REQUIREMENTS


Undergraduate Students

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • You must be currently enrolled in OR have a demonstrated proficiency at least at the intermediate level in the language for which you are applying. Acceptable proof of proficiency includes reference letter from a language instructor, placement test, high school or college transcripts
  • You must have a minimum 3.0 GPA - Please note undergraduate FLAS fellowships are NOT AVAILABLE FOR SPANISH

Graduate Students

For more information

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Current or former FLAS fellows may apply; priority is given to applicants for a first or second time recipients
  • Currently must to be enrolled as a graduate student
  • Must be in good standing with the graduate college at U of I OR recently admitted to a graduate program (students can apply with a pending application to a UIUC graduate program but can only accept a FLAS Fellowship if admitted)
  • May carry no more than a 25% assistantship while holding a CLACS FLAS fellowship
  • The FLAS award is generally for intermediate or advanced study of a less commonly taught language; however an exception might be made for the beginning level of a less commonly taught language if a graduate student has achieved advanced proficiency in another language of the world area of specialization, and if learning a second language of that world area is required for the student overall training and expertise.

Academic Year FLAS Fellowship Requirements

  • Each semester must be enrolled full-time
  • Each semester must be enrolled for graded credit in a formal language instruction course in the language of the award as well as in an international or area studies course. CLACS approved courses.

Summer FLAS Fellowship Requirements

  • Summer FLAS awards are for language study only
  • CLACS offers Summer FLAS fellowships only to graduate students
  • Summer FLAS fellows must be enrolled in the equivalent of a full year of formal language study:
    • Beginning and intermediate language level programs must provide a minimum of 140 contact hours of language study
    • Advanced language level programs must provide a minimum of 120 contact hours of language study
    • All programs must be a minimum of six weeks
  • FLAS awards for overseas language programs are for study only at the intermediate or advanced level and must be approved by the U.S. Department of Education. Under certain circumstances, overseas language programs can be approved for language study at the beginning level for graduate students. Check with each Center for further details.

Check out more FLAS-eligible Summer programs:

Selection Criteria

  • Applicants are judged on their record of academic achievement
  • Demonstrated and proposed commitment to CLACS language and area studies. In the one-page, single-spaced Statement of Purpose for the proposed study program, describe how the study of your chosen language contributes to your goals in graduate studies and in your career

Overal Requirements

  • FLAS receipients must complete a student language self-evaluation at the beginning and end of each award period as well as a pre- and post-award language evaluation conducted by your instructor
  • Must complete an on-line periodic evaluation of the program the semester after your award and later as an alum of the program
  • According to U.S. Department of Education grant requirements, FLAS receipients are also expected to complete a biennial questionnaire for eight years after graduation


TO APPLY


Application

FLAS Fellowships are administered by the University of Illinois Area Studies Centers and Programs and are awarded competitively through an annual competition. Students from all departments and professional schools are encouraged to apply. Priority is given to the study of less commonly taught languages and each Center has specific priorities

FLAS Fellowship Graduate Application and Undergraduate Application are on the same form. Use one form to apply for both Summer and Academic Year FLAS. Please carefully read each section of the application to ensure that you are selecting the appropriate application type. Students may select up to two of the following application types on the online form:

  • FLAS Graduate Application - Academic Year 2018-19
  • FLAS Graduate Application - Summer 2018
  • FLAS Undergraduate Application - Academic Year 2018-19

CLACS - FLAS fellowships MAY BE USED for the study of Brazilian Portuguese, Quechua or any other Amerindian Language, or at the advanced level (third-year or above) Spanish. Priority is given to the study of less commonly taught languages. If a language is offered by more than one center, students can apply to all Centers that offer the language (check all the centers to which you apply on the form). Instructions

The instructions below MUST BE FOLLOWED when submitting an application. Questions regarding the application procedures and materials can be addressed to any of the Centers listed on the right-hand panel. You should also review the procedures for the particular Center to which you are applying. Technical difficulties can be addressed to flasapphelp@illinois.edu.

If a language is offered by more than one center, students can apply to all Centers that offer the language. For example, Polish is offered by EUC, CGS, and REEEC. If you are applying to study Polish, you can apply to all three centers at the same time. You do not need to submit separate online application forms (please simply check all the centers to which you apply on the form).

  1. Read the eligibility requirements and fellowship requirements before applying
  2. Check with each Center's web site for center specific application criteria. See the right-hand panel for contact information for each Center
  3. Applications are due by Friday, January 26, 2018
  4. Letters of Recommendation are due by Friday, February 2, 2018
  5. Complete the online application form and have recommenders submit letters to the online portal by the above dates
  6. If you are planning to study abroad please read the FLAS Study Abroad requirements and deadlines

Online Form

Access the online application form here.

  • Users may save their form and finish it at a later time by clicking the "Save and Finish Later" button on the bottom of the screen. The user will receive an email with a link to return to the form. This email is the only way a user can access their saved form.
  • In order to move between previous and next pages, all of the required information must be filled out on the current application page.
  • A pdf copy of the application questions is available here. The online application form also includes:
    • Statement of Purpose(1 to 2 page maximum) Essays should describe how the proposed language study fits in with your field of study and relates to the specific area studies the FLAS granting center to which you are applying supports; how you intend to use the language; and how the language and area study will contribute to your ultimate career goals. Please also describe your previous language learning experiences (formal and informal). You only need one Statement of Purpose per language.
    • Graduate and undergraduate transcripts including the fall semester of this year, for current students (Illinois and any other schools you have attended). Undergraduate transcript (and graduate transcripts if applicable) for incoming graduate and continuing undergraduate students. Scanned copies and unofficial reports are acceptable.
    • FAFSA Confirmation Page (optional). While graduate students are not required to complete a FAFSA, we highly recommend that students submit this form. We will assume zero financial need for those students who do not complete a FAFSA.

Note for incoming students: Transcripts, recommendation letters, and personal statements used for a student application to the university may also be used as supporting documentation for a FLAS application. Please note that students are urged to submit customized essays and recommendation letters that are specific to FLAS as it will enhance the competitiveness of their application.

APPLICATIONS FOR 2018-19 ARE CLOSED

Letters of Recommendation

You are responsible for providing your recommenders with instructions on how to submit a letter of recommendation. We suggest contacting your recommenders and providing them with information as early as possible. We also suggest sending your recommenders your statement of purpose. Letters of Recommendation are due by 11:59pm on Friday, February 2, 2018.

Letters of recommendation should be submitted electronically. This portal will be accessible through the UIUC FLAS website under the "For Recommenders" (here) tab when the application opens. When a letter of recommendation is submitted through this portal, the recommender and the student will receive an automated confirmation of submission via email.

If you are applying for one term (i.e. Summer OR Academic Year) or both terms (i.e. Summer AND Academic Year) with the same language, you need 3 letters of recommendation:

  1. Letter from your academic advisor. If for some reason your advisor is unable to provide a letter of recommendation, you may use another academic instructor with whom you have worked closely.
  2. Letter from your current or most recent language instructor. If you are applying for the beginning level of a language, you may use a recommender who can best speak to your ability to learn and passion for languages.
  3. Letter from person of your choice. Most students use another professor or instructor – use someone who can best speak to your aptitude as a Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellow.

If you are applying for both Summer and Academic Year with different languages, you must submit an additional letter of recommendation from another language instructor. You need a language instructor recommendation letter for each language for which you are applying.

Your application will be considered incomplete without these letters of recommendation. Do not submit more letters of recommendation than are required. Centers will not review additional letters of recommendation.

Important Dates

Application Deadline: Friday, January 26, 2018
Recommendation Letters Due: Friday, February 2, 2018
Award/Alternate/Rejection Letters Sent by: March 2018

APPLY NOW

Special Note to Undergraduate Students:

  • Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Cannot apply to study French, German, or Spanish
  • Must be currently enrolled in or have a demonstrated proficiency at least at the intermediate level in the language for which they are applying.
    • Students should check with the languages department to learn what year of study is considered as intermediate for the language for which they are applying as some departments accept 2nd year and some departments accept 3rd year as the intermediate level.
    • Acceptable proof of proficiency at least at the intermediate level includes: letter of recommendation from a language instructor (for the language for which the student is applying); placement test; transcripts (successful completion of at least 4 semesters of high school language courses for the language for which the student is applying or successful completion of at least 2 semesters of language courses for the language for which the student is applying).

FAQs
 

CLACS FLAS FELLOWS 2017-18

CLACS awarded FLAS fellowships to fifteen students for the Academic Year 2017-18, and four students for Summer 2017.

Graduate Students

FLAS 17-18

  • Sydney Blefko, Musicology. Portuguese (AY 17-18)
  • Claire Branigan, Anthropology. Portuguese (AY 17-18)
  • Laura Cummings, Spanish Linguistics. Portuguese (S17)
  • Mary Casey, Comparative & World Literature. Portuguese (AY 17-18)
  • Joseph Coyle, Anthropology. Portuguese (AY 17-18, S17)
  • Leslie Del Carpio, Spanish & Portuguese. Quechua (AY17-18, S17)
  • Mark Hughes, CLACS. Quechua(AY 17-18)
  • Pamela Kline, Linguistics. Quechua (S17)
  • Noelia Irizarry-Roman, Art History. Portuguese (AY 17-18)
  • John Marquez, History. Portuguese (AY 17-18)
  • Kelsey Rademacher, Spanish Linguistics. Portuguese (AY 17-18)
  • Katie VanDyne, Linguistics. Quechua (AY 17-18)
  • Megan White, History. Portuguese (AY 17-18)

Undergraduate Students

  • Eriele Tellis, Political Science. Portuguese (AY 17-18)
  • Jessica Romero. Spanish & Portuguese. Portuguese (AY 17-18)
  • Rosario Saldivar, Molecular and Cellular Biology. Portuguese (AY 17-18)
  • Grace Kurcab, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Portuguese (AY 17-18)


 

CLACS FLAS FELLOWS 2016-17

Graduate Students

FLAS 16-17

  • Ryan Bean, History. Quechua (AY 16-17)
  • Joseph Coyle, Anthropology. Portuguese (AY 16-17)
  • Leslie Del Carpio, Spanis. Portortuguese. Quechua (AY 16-17, S16)
  • Eric Jones, Music. Quechua (AY 16-17, S16)
  • William Monahan, Urban & Regional Planning. Quechua (AY 16-17)
  • Gurdeep Kaur, Urban & Regional Planning. Portuguese (AY 16-17, S16)
  • Blair Niece, Political Science. Portuguese (AY 16-17)
  • Cassandra Osei, History. Portuguese (S16)
  • Luke Plutowski, Political Science. Portuguese (AY 16-17)
  • Elizabeth Quick, History. Quechua (AY 16-17)
  • Susana Rodriguez, Art History. Portuguese (AY 16-17)
  • Ashlea Rundlett, Political Science. Portuguese (AY 16-17)
  • Julian Scheirer, Political Science. Portuguese (AY 16-17)
  • Franziska Yost, History. Portuguese (AY 16-17)
  • Matthew Nolan, Agricultural and Consumer Economics. Portuguese (AY 16-17)

Undergraduate Students

  • Halley Juvik, Anthropology. Portuguese (AY 16-17)
  • Liam Millett, Geology. Portuguese (AY 16-17)
  • Michelle Patino, Linguistics. Quechua(AY 16-17)

 

CLACS FLAS FELLOWS 2015-16

Graduate Students

FLAS 15-16

  • Krysta Beam, CLACS. Quechua (AY 15-16)
  • Dexter Burns, CLACS. Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • David Dyck, Crop Scicnces. Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Megan Garguilo, Span & Port. Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Samantha Good, Span & Port. Quechua (S15)
  • Erica Horton, Urban & Reg. Planning. Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Eric Jones, Music. Quechua (AY 15-16, S15)
  • John Jones, Educ. Policy. Portuguese (AY 15-16, S15)
  • Blair Niece, Political Science. Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Cassandra Osei, History.  Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Luke Plutowski, Polit.Science.Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Elizabeth Quick, History. Quechua (AY 15-16)
  • Amanda Rector, Span & Port. Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Ashlea Rundlett, Polit. Science. Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Kelly Senters, Polit. Science.  Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Michael Stablein, Agric & Biol Eng.Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Angela Urban, Urban & Reg. Planning. Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Sarah West, Span & Port. Maya (S15)

Undergraduate Students

  • Halley Juvik, Anthropology. Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Ashley Nagele,  ACES Animal Sciences. Portuguese (AY 15-16)
  • Michelle Patino, Linguistics. Quechua(AY 15-16)
  • Renee Pond, Molecular Cell Biology. Portuguese (AY 15-16)

 

CLACS FLAS FELLOWS 2014-15

Graduate Students

  • Jason Ahlenius (AY 14-15) Portuguese. English. MA program
  • Krysta Beam (Sp 15) Quechua. Latin American Studies, MA program
  • Dexter Burns (AY 14-15) Portuguese. Latin American Studies, MA program
  • Annie Contractor (S14) Portuguese. Urban and Regional Planning, MUP program
  • Krista Evensen (AY 14-15, S14) Portuguese. Spanish and Portuguese, MA program
  • Samantha Good (AY 14-15) Quechua. Spanish and Portuguese, MA program
  • Rebecca Linares (AY 14-15) Quechua. Curriculum and Instruction, PhD program
  • Christopher Long (AY 14-15) Portuguese. Political Science, PhD program
  • Ethan Madarieta (AY 14-15) Portuguese. Comparative Literature, MA program
  • John Marquez (S14) Portuguese. History, PhD program
  • Amanda Rector (S14) Portuguese. Spanish and Portuguese, MA program
  • Jazmin Ridley (S14) Portuguese. Latin American Studies
  • James Sauls (AY 14-15) Portuguese. Latin American Studies, MA program
  • Kelly Senters (S14) Portuguese. Political Science, PhD program
  • Katrina Spenser (AY 14-15, S14) Portuguese. Graduate School of Library and Information Science, MS program
  • Michael Stablein (AY 14-15) Portuguese. Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Undergraduate Students

  • Ashley Nagele (AY) Portuguese. Animal Science
  • Homari Oda (AY) Portuguese. Spanish and Portuguese/ ACES

 

CLACS FLAS FELLOWS 2013-14

Graduate Students

FLAS 13-14

  • Meghan Bohardt (AY, S) Quechua. Latin American Studies, MA program
  • Lisa Burner (S) Quechua. Spanish, Italian & Portuguese, PhD program
  • Carrie Gordon (AY) Portugese. Art & Design History, MA program
  • Sabrina Kanjee (AY) Portuguese. Political Science, MA program
  • Rebecca Linares (AY) Quechua.Curriculum and Instruction, PhD program
  • Christopher Long (AY) Portuguese. Political Science, PhD program
  • John Marquez (AY) Portuguese. Department of History, PhD program
  • Jazmin Ridley (AY) Portuguese. Latin American Studies, MA program
  • Jenica Rosen (AY, S) Quechua. Latin American Studies MA program
  • James Sauls (AY) Portuguese. Latin American Studies, MA program
  • Karolina Wasiniewska (AY) Portuguese. Political Science, MA program
  • Peter Wellington (AY) Quechua. Department of Music, PhD program
  • Annie Gierhart (AY) Portuguese. Urban and Regional Planing, MUP program
  • Christopher Eager (AY) Quechua. Spanish, Italian & Portuguese, PhD program
  • Rico Chenyek (S) Quechua. Inst. of Communication Research, PhD program

Undergraduate Students

  • Genesis Galva (AY) Portuguese. Advertising
  • Jesus Milian (AY) Portuguese. Engineering

 

CLACS FLAS FELLOWS 2012-13

FLAS 12-13

Graduate Students

  • Meghan Bohardt (AY) Quechua, Latin American Studies, MA
  • Christopher Eager (AY) Portuguese, Spanish, Italian & Portuguese, PhD
  • Jessica Hajek (S) Haitian Creole, Department of Music, PhD
  • Bryce Henson (AY, S) Portuguese, Inst. of Communication Research, PhD
  • Veronica Mendez-Johnson (S) Portuguese, Department of History, PhD
  • Rebecca Linares (AY) Quechua, Curriculum and Instruction, PhD
  • Gabriel Machabanski (AY, S) Quechua, Urban and Regional Planing, MUP
  • Lenore Matthew (AY, S) Portuguese, Social Science, PhD
  • Ashley Owen (AY) Portuguese, Latin American Studies, MA
  • Lydia Crafts-Putnam (AY) Spanish, Department of History, PhD
  • Jenica Rosen (AY) Quechua, Latin American Studies MA
  • John Ben Soileau (AY, S) Portuguese, Anthropology, PhD
  • Peter Wellington (AY) Quechua, Department of Music, MA

Undergraduate Students

  • Manuel Cardenas (AY) Portuguese, Global Studies
  • Tara McGovern (AY) Quechua, Anthropology