FLAS

Q: Does the Latin American Studies Program offer scholarships?
A: Yes, the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships are awarded on a competitive basis to MA and Ph.D. students in all disciplines.

Q: Am I eligible to receive a FLAS fellowship?
A: You must be a graduate student, U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be enrolled in a program that combines modern foreign language training with international or area studies or with the international aspects of the professional or other fields of study.

Q: If I have been accepted to a graduate program at SDSU for the following semester, but have not begun am I still eligible for a FLAS scholarship?
A: Yes, students accepted to a graduate program at SDSU, but have not begun are also eligible.

Q: Can recipients of FLAS academic year scholarships study abroad?
A: Yes, but you have to be enrolled at SDSU.

Q: How do I apply for a FLAS fellowship?
A: Applications must be submitted to the Center for Latin American Studies by March 30, 2007. Applications are available online and in the Center.

Q: How many FLAS fellowships are there, and how much do they provide?
A: The Center offers 4-5 academic year fellowships and 4-6 summer fellowships. Academic year scholarships pay all SDSU fees and a living stipend of $14,500. Summer scholarships pay fees up to $4000 to attend a summer intensive language program and $2,400 of living expenses.

Q: What are the requirements for receiving a FLAS?
A: FLAS fellowships are open to students in any discipline. The primary requirements are that the applicant is studying Latin America and one of the languages spoken there. Summer applicants must be engaged in the study of a less commonly taught language of Latin America, including Portuguese or an indigenous language such as Mixtec and Zapotec.

Q: Will the programs take place despite the political turmoil in Oaxaca?
A: Yes. The FLAS Fellowship Selection Committee will determine the location for programs on or before April 14, 2007.

Q: Can I be awarded a FLAS as an undergraduate student?
A: No. The program law specifies that only graduate students are eligible to receive FLAS fellowships.

Q: Can I be awarded a FLAS fellowship if I am a student from another institution?
A: Yes, but only for the summer period. FLAS fellowships during the Spring and Fall semesters are exclusively awarded to SDSU students.

Q: Can I receive both a FLAS and another fellowship during the same award period?
A: Yes. Program regulations do not prohibit a student from receiving another fellowship during the FLAS award period. Cost-Sharing with another founding sources is possible under the FLAS program, as long as "double-dipping" is avoided. That is, the founding programs cannot cover simultaneously the same expenses.

Q: Can I be awarded for multiple award periods?
A: Yes. FLAS fellowships are granted upon merit-based competitions. If you compete successfully in each discrete competition, then you may receive fellowships for multiple award periods.

Q: Can I apply for a Summer FLAS Fellowship to study a less commonly taught language other than Mixtec or Zapatec languages?
A: No. CLAS at SDSU offers Summer FLAS Fellowships exclusively for the study of the Mixtec or Zapatec languages.

Q:Can FLAS summer scholarships be awarded to students who have graduated in the spring?
A: Possibly. The proram regulation specify that students must be "enrolled or accepted for enrollment," you might be able to arrange with the registrar to retain an "enrolled" basis until the end of the summer.

Q: Is a FLAS fellow allowed to work during the fellowship award period?
A: FLAS fellows are allowed to work during the award period but cannot be required to work in exchange for the FLAS fellowship.

Q: Can an academic year FLAS recipient take a semester off and finish work for the award period during the summer or following academic year?
A: No. Students who do not complete their FLAS requirements during the original award period forfeit the remaining portion of their awards. This also applies to extenuating circumstances that prevent the student from accepting/using the FLAS scholarship.

Q: Can a FLAS recipient request to take a class "credit/no credit"?
A: No. FLAS program regulations specify that a student's GPA and the institutions performanced-based instruction program as eligibility requirements.

Q: Is there a limit on the number of FLAS fellowships the same student may recieve?
A: The program law and regulations do not restrict the number of awards allowed to the same student. However, more than one FLAS scholarship will not be awarded to the same student during that one academic year or summer cycle.

Other Opportunities

Q: Does the Latin American Studies program have other sources of support for students?
A: Yes. MA students may also apply for a Graduate Assistantship which provides 10-20 hours per week of employment. The LAS program usually announces its openings in August.

Q: Is it possible to get a tuition waiver?
A: Yes, but only for out-of-state and foreign MA students. Tuition waivers reduce fees to in-state levels. Tuition waivers require are tied to Graduate Assistantships. There are usually two per year.