What types of awards are available for students through Prestigious Awards and Fellowships (PAF)?
Awards available through PAF fund students to pursue unique and varied opportunities outside of UM such as conducting research, participating in specialized programs or engaging in other enriching experiences elsewhere. These awards (with the exception of the Bob Moore Scholarship) do not cover tuition expenses or cost of attendance at UM. All award details are listed under award listings on the website. The information shared includes details needed to understand and begin the application process.
Am I competitive for a prestigious award? Do I need to have a certain GPA?
The awards that are available are all vastly different. Some have GPA requirements and others do not. Some awards prioritize academics, while others focus on social change, leadership, financial need, and other factors. The best way to know which awards are right for you is by doing your research on this site and on the sites for the respective awards in which you are interested.
Do students need to be affiliated with the Office of Academic Enhancement (First-Gen, Foote Fellow, Gates, Hammond, Jenkins, Singer, Stamps) to be eligible for these awards?
No. PAF is available to work with all undergraduate and graduate students, as well as university alumni in applying for prestigious awards whether or not they are affiliated with the OAE in this way.
Do I need an invitation to apply for prestigious awards and fellowships?
No. You are welcome to apply for prestigious awards so long as you meet the award eligibility criteria. We encourage you to explore opportunities on our award listings page.
Are there opportunities for business, pre-med, and pre-law students?
Absolutely! While there are some awards that align closely with your academic and professional pursuits, there are also other opportunities that can help you become more well-rounded, globally minded, and develop valuable skills for your personal and professional growth. Exploring and applying for a range of award opportunities can help expand your perspective and prepare you for future success.
Why are there two deadlines for some awards?
Many awards require institutional nomination or review. The campus deadline is set earlier than the national deadline in order for a faculty committee to review your applications and possibly provide feedback for ways that you can strengthen your application. In all cases, students should treat the campus deadline as if it is the national deadline. All letters of recommendation and transcripts should be in by the campus deadline. If you are having some challenges gathering particular items, please alert PAF at prestigiousawards@miami.edu so that we know that you working on procuring these items.
