General Questions

Q. What is a FLAS Fellowship?

A. Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships provide funding to undergraduate and graduate/professional students to encourage the study of less commonly taught foreign languages in combination with area studies, international studies or international aspects of professional studies. These fellowships are funded with grants from the US Department of Education (US/ED) under Title VI of the Higher Education Act, as well as the International Institute and its area studies centers. FLAS Fellowships are administered by the International Institute’s Area Studies Centers and are awarded competitively on a merit basis through an annual fellowship competition.

Q. Where can I study with Academic Year FLAS?

A. Academic Year FLAS is primarily intended for language and area studies coursework on campus at UM-Ann Arbor. Official U-M study abroad programs and in-country PhD dissertation fieldwork are also eligible with US/ED approval.

Q. What requirements does a Summer FLAS program need to meet?

A. Students can study at the U-M Summer Language Institute, another domestic program or an approved overseas program. Programs must be approved by US/ED and have a minimum of six weeks of instruction and 120 contact hours for advanced levels, or 140 hours for beginning or intermediate levels. Area Studies Center staff may have information about summer language programs, but it is the fellow’s responsibility to identify, choose, and apply for admission to a program that meets FLAS requirements.

Q. Can I apply for both an Academic Year and Summer FLAS? If so, do I need two separate applications, statements, etc.?

A. Yes, you can apply for both if you are eligible. There is one common application, though some additional materials will be needed if applying for both (for instance, they require separate Statments of Purpose). See the Application Materials section for detailed information.

Q. How will the FLAS Fellowship affect my financial aid package?

A. FLAS Awards may affect University of Michigan need-based financial aid packages and/or the disbursement of Michigan Educational Trust (MET) funds. FLAS nominees are strongly encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid at 734.763.6600 or financial.aid@umich.edu to discuss your unique situation.

Q. Is FLAS renewable?

A. No. Each FLAS award period is a separate competition. All students must complete a new application each year.

Q. I am a current FLAS Fellow. Can I reapply for another FLAS award? Is there a limit on how many FLAS awards a student may have?

A. Yes, current and former FLAS Fellows are eligible to reapply as long as they meet all eligibility criteria. There are no limits on the number of FLAS awards a student may have, but the selection committee takes the diversity of the awardees into consideration.

Q. It looks like completed everything in the application, but I'm unable to click "SUBMIT." What am I missing?

A. Check to see that all required sections are complete. Then if a section has a half green circle, click "Mark as Complete" at the bottom of the page. Once all sections completed fully and marked as complete, you should be able to submit the application.

Q. I want to study abroad with my FLAS Fellowship, but I'm not sure if that will be an option considering COVID-19. How should I address this in my Statement of Purpose? Will I still receive the award if I can't go abroad?

A. We understand the level of uncertainty these days. You should write your Statement of Purpose with the intended study abroad program in mind, and we understand that plans may change. You will not lose your fellowship if you can't go abroad or your plans change to something domestic or virtual (if virtual is an option at the time).