Frequently Asked Questions about the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
Please browse our FAQ's for answers to questions that might arise while completing a FLAS application. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please visit the UNC Area Studies FLAS FAQ's or contact CSEEES' FLAS Coordinator Jacqueline Olich .
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Q: Do all departments at the Center for Global Initiatives (formerly the University Center for International Studies) follow the same procedure with FLAS applications?
A: All of the area studies centers use the same application, but every department is slightly different in how it handles the applications, when its committees meet, etc. Please check with your specific department if you have any further questions.
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Q: Why study a less common language? How will my studies help me in the future?
A: Many of our FLAS recipients go on to work in government agencies or international non-profit organizations. A successful FLAS application demonstrates how foreign language can be incorporated into your academic studies, as well as career goals. There is a great need in the U.S. for specialists in foreign languages and cultures.
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Q: Where do I send my completed FLAS application?
A: You may either collect all of the parts of your application to mail together or have your recommenders send their letters separately. Please send all application materials to: FLAS Coordinator, CSEEES, CB #5125, FedEx Global Education Center, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-5125. Or if you prefer, you may hand in your application materials directly to the Center at the above address (click here for directions).
Benefits of Receiving a FLAS Award
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Q: What costs does a FLAS Award cover?
A: FLAS awards cover all tuition costs (regardless of residency) and student fees, as well as provide graduate student health insurance. FLAS students also receive stipends of $15,000 for academic year awards and $2500 for summer awards.
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Q: Does the FLAS fellowship cover out-of-state tuition?
A: Yes, FLAS awards cover all tuition and student fees, regardless of in-state or out-of-state status. If you are in the process of becoming a North Carolina resident, we ask that you apply for in-state tuition as soon as you are eligible to do so. However, there are no ill ramifications if you are not successful in obtaining in-state status.
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Q: How will a FLAS Award benefit me in the future?
A: Many of our FLAS recipients go on to work in government agencies or international non-profit organizations. There is a great need in the U.S. for specialists in foreign languages and cultures.
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Q: To whom should my professors address their letters of recommendation?
A: Letters of recommendation should be addressed to the FLAS Selection Committee, c/o CSEEES, CB #5125, FedEx Global Education Center, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-5125 (please click here for directions). If the faculty members writing your recommendations prefer, they can fax letters to the Center at (919) 962-2494. In certain cases, we have even accepted letters of recommendation via email; please contact the FLAS Coordinator Jacqueline Olich about this option. Many applicants prefer to collect their letters of recommendation and submit them with their completed application. Please feel free to use any of these options.
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Q: What information should letters of recommendation include?
A: A letter of recommendation should address how your studies and career goals will benefit from gaining proficiency in the target language. It is great if the person writing your recommendation can attest to your interest in the region and how you've been working an international focus into your coursework. Essentially, you want letters from people who can say that you are a serious student who would make fine use of a FLAS award.
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Q: Are members of the FLAS selection committee eligible to write my letter of recommendation?
A: Yes.
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Q: I am applying as a graduate student to UNC-CH and also applying for a FLAS award. Can I submit the same letters of recommendation that I submitted with my UNC graduate school application?
A: With your permission, we can use the transcript(s) and letters of recommendation from your graduate application for your FLAS application. However, you need to give us permission to contact the department to which you applied to obtain a copy of these materials.
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Q: I am a graduate student. Do I need to submit a letter of endorsement from a dissertation advisor or a letter of affiliation from abroad?
A: As an M.A. candidate, you will not need a letter of endorsement from a dissertation advisor, nor a letter of affiliation from abroad. These are only required of Ph.D. candidates.
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Q: Can I combine my statement of purpose with my research statement?
A: Yes, you may combine the statement of purpose with the description of your research project into one essay. Our committee likes to see one essay which addresses why you need the target language and how it is important to your academic studies and your future career. A separate, detailed research proposal is only necessary if you are applying for a FLAS fellowship to conduct dissertation research abroad.
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Q: What should I discuss in my statement of purpose?
A: Your statement of purpose should address your need for the target language, an interest in the world region, and how this knowledge will help mold your academic studies and be reflected in your career goals.
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Q: Can I submit the same statement of purpose/essay I submitted as part of my UNC-CH graduate school application for the FLAS application?
A: While you could submit your admissions essay, it would be better if you wrote a new statement which addresses specifically your need for the target language and how a FLAS award would help you accomplish your academic goals and fit into your career plan. You can, however, use a variation of your admissions essay, as long as you really drive home how helpful these funds would be in attaining your academic and career goals. CSEEES only requires ONE essay—you do NOT need to write a statement of purpose and a separate research statement.
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Q: I am just starting my graduate studies and do not have a research project in mind yet. What should I do about the research statement in the application?
A: Do not worry that you do not have a concrete research project defined. Your essay need only demonstrate to the selection committee that you are interested in the languages and cultures of our world region and how the FLAS award would help accomplish whatever academic and career goals you have in mind.
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Q: Which transcripts should I send with my application?
A: Send your official graduate school transcript. Your official undergraduate transcript is not required, but would be accepted and might represent your academic record more thoroughly if you have not had many semesters as a graduate student. Please note, all transcripts must be official. If you have not yet been accepted into a graduate program at UNC-CH, you must submit your undergraduate transcript, or your most recent graduate transcript with your FLAS application.
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Q: I’m applying for a FLAS award as an incoming student to UNC-CH and therefore, do not have a UNC graduate transcript. What should I send with my application?
A: In lieu of a UNC transcript, submit transcripts from whichever university/college you are currently enrolled in (or from which you have graduated). If it would be easier, we can accept copies of your transcripts and recommendations directly from the UNC-CH department to which you applied if you contact that department and ask them to forward copies of these materials to the CSEEES.
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Q: Can I submit unofficial transcripts?
A: No. All transcripts must be official.
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Q: Who is eligible to apply for a FLAS award?
A: Graduate students who are U.S. citizens or nationals or permanent residents and who are enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) in a program that combines modern foreign language training with international or area studies or with the international aspects of professional or other fields of study are eligible to apply.
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Q: Do I have to be enrolled in foreign language studies already or be getting a degree in these areas to qualify for a FLAS award?
A: You do not need to be in a field which specifically requires foreign languages. In fact, being in a professional school or a discipline that does not traditionally require foreign language knowledge is desirable. The U.S. Department of Education, which finances FLAS, is especially interested in funding students who are outside the traditional language and culture disciplines. That being said, you will need an excellent statement of purpose, which demonstrates to our selection committee how a FLAS and the target language and area studies expertise will be beneficial to your academic studies and your future career.
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Q: Are FLAS fellowships awarded to incoming students, or are only current UNC-CH students eligible?
A: FLAS fellowships are available to both incoming and current UNC-CH graduate students. In fact, the U.S. Department of Education has recently begun to encourage the use of FLAS awards for recruitment purposes. However, FLAS awards are non-transferrable; if you receive an award, you will only be able to use it if you are enrolled as a graduate student here at UNC-CH.
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Q: I am currently applying to a graduate program at UNC-CH but have not yet been accepted. How should I fill out my FLAS application?
A: Fill out the application as if you were already a UNC student. If you prefer, you may write “Applicant to the UNC Department of ____ ” or something similar. Your statement will probably say that you have certain goals if you are accepted into the program. Definitely put UNC on the language evaluation form. We will know how to treat your application as an applicant, contingent upon acceptance to UNC.
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Q: Are FLAS awards available for dissertation research?
A: By Department of Education standards, FLAS awards for dissertation research are allowable, but they also receive the lowest priority. By CSEEES standards, we must first adhere to our priorities. More commonly studied languages, like Russian, are of lower priority. M.A. students are the highest priority according to the language of the Department of Education, followed by professional students. Therefore, an award for a dissertation year is unlikely. That said, you may still apply. Much depends on the size and strength of our applicant pool, but there is always a chance that another FLAS center will have some extra awards to give.
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Q: Is someone with a green card eligible for a FLAS, or are FLAS awards only for U.S. citizens?
A: Permanent residents with green cards are eligible for FLAS.
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Q: I started studying a less commonly taught language at the graduate level. Does the committee take this into account while reading the language evaluation?
A: Yes, the selection committee will take this into account with the language evaluations. Because all of our languages (with the possible exception of Russian) are less commonly taught languages, our committee does not necessarily prioritize the advanced level of language study. The selection committee looks at the applications in their entirety and wants to see strong grades and especially a strong desire and need for the target language for both your academic and future career goals after graduate school.
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Q: I will be living abroad this summer, and therefore, I anticipate that my language skills will have improved by next fall. Should I make any notations about current language instruction or the fact that I will be living there this summer? How will this affect my language evaluation?
A: You can mention the particulars about your summer abroad in your statement of purpose/essay. If you are applying for beginning language study for the academic year, you do not really need to submit a language evaluation form, although it does not hurt to show that you have had some prior instruction/experience with the language.
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Q: I studied Russian as an undergraduate student several years ago. Where should I get my language evaluation now?
A: The UNC faculty member who usually evaluates Russian language proficiency is Eleonora Magomedova from the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures. You can contact her by email at emagomed@email.unc.edu or by phone at (919) 962-7551.
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Q: The language that I am interested in studying with a FLAS award is not offered at UNC-CH or Duke University. What should I do?
A: The FLAS budget can only afford to finance students taking language courses at UNC-CH for the academic year; therefore, independent study is out of the question. However, if you find a summer program in the language of your interest at another university and it fulfills Department of Education standards, you may apply for a summer FLAS award.
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Q: I am interested in studying a less commonly taught language this summer. Should I apply for a summer FLAS award?
A: Summer Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships are available for language training only (although if you happen to be able to combine research with an appropriate language program, that may be acceptable).
- Q: I would like to apply for both a summer and an academic year FLAS award. Do I have to fill out two separate applications?
A: No. You only have to fill out one application, but you will need to prioritize on the application. Give us information about what you would do over the academic year and also information about the summer program(s) you are interested in, but make sure that the committee knows which means more to you (funding for the academic year or for the summer).
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Q: What are the stipulations of a summer FLAS award?
A: Beginning language study must be conducted in the U.S. At the beginning and intermediate levels, the program must have 140 contact hours (hours of language study). At the advanced level, the program must include 120 contact hours. The FLAS summer award covers tuition and a $2500 stipend.
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Q: Is it necessary to fulfill a minimum number of contact hours for summer FLAS awards?
A: The summer FLAS guidelines are that students must attend programs with a minimum of six weeks instruction, composed of a minimum of 140 hours for beginning and intermediate language students, and a minimum of 120 hours for advanced language students. The U.S. Department of Education will NOT be flexible on these guidelines. Look into either an extra couple weeks or private tutoring to supplement the hours of your program if it does not fulfill the minimum number of contact hours.
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Q: Are there any other guidelines to follow while choosing a summer program for the FLAS award?
A: Our only guidelines are that summer programs be a minimum of six weeks instruction, composed of a minimum of 140 hours for beginning and intermediate language students, and a minimum of 120 hours for advanced language students. We have no determination of the number of credits received, nor do we have a requirement that students take the course for a grade (i.e. they are allowed to take the course pass/fail). There are only a few programs that deviate from the standard university format, and therefore, most of the time students receive 6+ credits for their summer study.
- Q: Where can I find summer language programs for Eastern European languages?
A: Click here for an Excel spreadsheet listing various summer language programs both in the U.S. and abroad. Keep in mind the requirements for summer programs (see above), including that beginning level language study must be conducted in the U.S.
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Q: If I receive a summer FLAS award, can I conduct research while studying the language?
A: Summer FLAS awards are intended to fund intensive language study ONLY—no area studies courses, no research, period. This does not mean that you cannot do research while you are studying the language on a summer FLAS or piggyback the timetable so that you are researching before/after your summer program. However, research should not be the focus of your summer FLAS application. Instead, mention your research interests AS A WHOLE, as they apply to your academic studies and your career goals.
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Q: Are summer FLAS fellowships available through the Center for Slavic, Eurasian, and East European Studies for Duke students?
A: Yes, FLAS fellowships at UNC are also available to Duke students. The Duke CSEEES also has summer FLAS awards, but its summer awards are all designated for the Duke in Russia program. Please contact Michael Newcity for more information about those awards.
- Q: What are some other opportunities for funding summer language and area studies?
A: You should check the following organizations for programs and funding information: IREX, ACTR, and CIEE. They all have summer language programs and should also have some funding opportunities. If you're looking for summer dissertation research funding, the UNC Center for Global Initiatives (formerly the University Center for International Studies) has several funding opportunities.
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Q: Which other universities have Slavic programs?
A: Check out these universities for programs in Slavic and East European language programs: University of Arizona, Indiana University, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Michigan, University of Pittsburgh, University of Virginia, and University of Washington. You may also want to check our Resources Page.
Requirements for Recipients of FLAS Awards
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Q: If I receive an academic year FLAS award, will I be expected to take a language and an area studies course during the award period?
A: Some of the different area studies centers deal with this a bit differently. However, for Slavic Studies you must be enrolled in both a language AND an area studies course EACH SEMESTER for an academic year award. If you need help identifying possible area studies courses, contact the FLAS coordinator in the center to which you are applying.
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Q: Which language courses can I take with a FLAS award?
A: The language you select will depend on your own interests, academic pursuits, and future career goals. You will need to select the language that you are most interested in and make a case for it in your statement/essay. At the beginning level, however, you will not be able to use FLAS funds for a program abroad. At the beginning level, you must select a domestic program UNLESS there are no stateside programs available. At the intermediate and advanced level, a FLAS can fund either a program in the U.S. or abroad.
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Q: Are there any additional requirements other than those listed in the checklist of the application?
A: No, there are no extra materials needed aside from those on the application checklist. Slavic Studies allows you to combine your statement of purpose with your research statement.
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Q: As a Master’s degree (not a Ph.D.) candidate, are there any items I do not need for my application?
A: As an M.A. candidate, you do not need a letter of endorsement from a dissertation advisor nor a letter of affiliation abroad. The statement of purpose and the research statement can be combined into one essay.
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Q: The language that I am interested in studying with a FLAS award is not offered at UNC-CH or Duke University. What should I do?
A: The FLAS budget can only afford to finance students taking language courses at UNC-CH for the academic year; therefore, independent study is out of the question. However, if you find a summer program in the language of your interest at another university and it fulfills Department of Education standards, you may apply for a summer FLAS award.
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Q: I am currently applying to a graduate program at UNC-CH but have not yet been accepted. How should I fill out my FLAS application?
A: Fill out the application as if you are a UNC student. If you prefer, you may write “Applicant to the UNC ____ Department” or something similar. Your statement will probably say that you have certain goals if you are accepted into the program. Definitely put UNC on the language evaluation form. We will know how to treat your application as an applicant, contingent upon acceptance to UNC.
