FLAS Awards
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa
- Who can apply for FLAS awards?
You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and a full-time classified graduate student at the University of Hawaii. Following federal guidelines, in the awarding of FLAS fellowships, priority will be given to students whose area or professional study program include formal training in a modern foreign language. Ph.D. dissertation research or write-up will be given lower priority. Students who already possess fluency equivalent to educated native speakers in that particular language are discouraged to apply. Please note that FLAS awards are subject to funding from the U.S. Department of Education.
What languages or areas may be studied under FLAS at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa?
East Asian studies: Chinese (third year or higher), Japanese (third year or higher), and Korean Pacific Islands studies: Maori, Samoan, and Tahitian Southeast Asian studies: Cambodian, Ilokano, Indonesian, Lao, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese
What does the fellowship package include?
Academic year FLAS: a $15,000 stipend and tuition up to $12,000. Stipends are usually disbursed in ten monthly installments. Summer FLAS for East Asia: a $2,500 stipend and tuition up to $4,000. Summer FLAS applicants must enroll in a formal program of intensive language study with 120 contact hours in advance language or 140 contact hours in intermediate language. Students interested in fellowships for the Summer Southeast Asian language studies can obtain information from the Center for Southeast Asian Studies in Moore Hall 405 (cseas@hawaii.edu).
When is the deadline for FLAS applications?
The deadline for all FLAS applications is February 15.
Is it possible for FLAS awardees to study abroad?
Yes, it is possible if the student can justify a full-time language (usually at the third-year level or higher) and area studies training. Students who wish to study abroad must provide the following information on their FLAS application: the name and location of the overseas institution (attach a catalog or brochure), the dates of the program, the level and title of the course, and the tuition. Overseas study must be pre-approved by the U.S. Department of Education through the fellowship office.
How many awards are given?
The number varies from year to year based on availability of US Department of Education funds and UH tuition waivers.
Who selects FLAS awardees, and how soon are they notified of the committee decision?
The selection committees are composed of faculty members affiliated with the centers for East Asian studies (Center for Chinese Studies, Center for Japanese Studies, and Center for Korean Studies), the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, and the Center for Pacific Islands Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The fellowship office will promptly notify its decision.
What are the selection criteria?
The criteria include high academic achievement and promise, the quality of recommendations, receipt of all application materials by the deadline, a statement of purpose written clearly and succinctly. Students who already possess language fluency equivalent to educated native speakers in the language for which award is sought are not encouraged to apply.
What if a student who receives an award cannot fulfill the study? Are there alternates?
Alternates are selected and are told they are alternates. Although there is no assurance, alternates sometimes do receive awards.
What are the responsibilities of a FLAS recipient?
Recipients must abide by the intent of their language study program as stated on the application. If there are any changes whatsoever, they must inform the fellowship office in Moore 321 immediately. They may not be eligible for continued funding if they change plans without approval. A fellowship will be terminated if the student is not making satisfactory progress, is no longer enrolled, is no longer in good standing at the institution, or if the he or she fails to follow the course of study promised, unless a revised course of study has been approved.
Are students eligible to apply for FLAS awards even though they have been awarded before?
Yes, they can reapply.
Want still more detailed information? The FAQ
How can I get an application form?
Follow the links below. They are available in MS Word format (.doc)
- Southeast Asia: .doc or
- China: .doc or
- Japan: .doc or
- Pacific Islands: .doc or
- Korea .doc
For hard copy, please write or e-mail to:
Fellowship Coordinator
School of Pacific and Asian Studies
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
1890 East-West Road, Moore 321
Honolulu, HI 96822
chizuko@hawaii.eduPlease indicate what language you are studying.