CFSA: Cultivating Exceptional Potential
In the News
CFSA Director Jolynn Parker’s HNR 220 course, “Strategies for Scholar Development,” welcomed a special guest last Friday. Elliott Portnoy, a 1986 graduate of Syracuse University and SU’s first Rhodes Scholar, joined the course by telephone to share his experiences and advice. As a Rhodes Scholar, Portnoy earned his PhD at Oxford University in 1989. He…
Tips for applying for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for Study Abroad –Don’t wait until the last minute to apply. –Spend some time reading the Gilman website to get a sense of the program & for inspiration, ideas! Listen to one of their webnairs. –Read the essay questions carefully. Answer the questions that are…
It’s getting down to the wire now! Remember the campus Fulbright Deadline is: 12 NOON on TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th #1 As I look over the list of applicants on Embark, I still see that some of you have NOT filled in the basic data about the country or program that you are applying to. DO…
Recommendations – All your recommendations and Language Evaluations (if needed) must be completed by September 15th! Remind your recommenders that they need to enter their letters, forms, etc. by 9/15. Question #48b on the application asks for the recommendation due date And each time your register a referee or a language evaluator, they ask…
By now you should have a completed a first draft of all parts of your application, and you should be working on edits and polishing. AFFILIATION LETTERS If you are applying for a full (research) Fulbright – you need an affiliation letter. Follow the directions for your specific country, but in general remember that… Plain…
What We Do
CFSA helps Syracuse University undergraduates, graduate students, and alumni apply for national scholarships and fellowships. These external awards provide funding and recognition across a range of disciplines and interests.
Institutional Endorsement
Syracuse University requires all students and alumni who are seeking institutional endorsement for the Marshall Scholarship and Rhodes Scholarship to express their interest in applying by June 1 and to complete an “Intent to Apply” form by July 1, detailing their record on leadership, service, academic accomplishments, and their rationale for the application. To express interest, email cfsa@syr.edu or one of CFSA's advisors directly. You can find the link to the "Intent to Apply" form below. A campus committee will meet in July to review these forms and select the students who will be endorsed by the University.
Applicants seeking CFSA’s support and assistance with applications to the Gates-Cambridge Scholarship, the Schwarzman Scholars Program, the Luce Scholars Program, or the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program ,should also complete the form.
Prestigious Fellowships Intent to Apply Form
Let us know if you intend to apply for a prestigious award (those listed under "Institutional Endorsement" above) by completing this form by July 1st.
Upcoming Events
Check back for upcoming events!
Upcoming Awards and Deadlines
Most scholarships and fellowships that CFSA helps applicants pursue have deadlines that fall between September and February. Please consult our Scholarship directory to learn more about opportunities you may want to pursue during the 2026-2027 academic year.
National Recognitions
