The Board of Trustees, University of the West, have established the Buddha’s Light Fellowship for those outstanding students leaders, who have a financial need or are pursuing their education in Religious Studies.

How to Apply

For students who wish to be considered for the Buddha’s Light Fellowship, they must submit the following documents:

Required Documents:

For new applicants:

1. Complete the UWest Financial Aid Application Form.
2. A completed and signed University of the West International Student Supplemental Application for financial aid. (International students only)
3. Provide a copy of their official transcripts (in English) of their highest education.
4. A maximum one-thousand-word essay regarding the applicant’s leadership experience, community service involvement and future plans.
5. Two letters of recommendation. One of the two recommendation letters must be provided by the head of the FGS Dharma center or affiliated organization. References must be original and include the completed UWest Fellowship and Scholarship Reference Form. The references should be included in a sealed envelope that is signed by the person providing the reference.

For continuing applicants:

1. Complete the UWest Financial Aid Application Form.
2. A completed and signed University of the West International Student Supplemental Application for financial aid. (International students only)
3. Provide a copy of the official transcript of the previous semester at UWest.
4. One recommendation letter by the Department Chair together with the UWest Fellowship and Scholarship Reference Form. The references should be included in a sealed envelope that is signed by the person providing the reference.

The required documents are acceptable only by mail or in person to Financial Aid Office.

The mailing address is:

Financial Aid Office
University of the West
1409 N. Walnut Grove Avenue
Rosemead, CA 91770

Deadline of Application:

• April 1 for all applicants.
• New students are encouraged to submit their fellowship application when applying for admission.

Award

• The award will be used to cover 12 units for both undergraduate and graduate students and mandatory fees.
• The award is made in the form of tuition waiver. No money will be paid to the recipients.
• The award amount may vary depending on the total course units registered for by the recipients.
• Award will not include room and board fees but exceptions for this inclusion may be made based on individual cases.

Term of Award

This fellowship is an annual award that covers Fall and Spring semesters only. Summer session(s) is not included. Recipients are subject to a mid-year progress review during the first two weeks of the Spring Semester (Please see below).

Eligibility requirements

• Students must be admitted and enrolled full time in the degree programs offered at UWest. An exception to this full-time enrollment rule may be applied to students who are in their final semester, preparing for the PhD candidacy exam or writing their PhD dissertation.
• New students must be recommended and sponsored by the head of any Fo Guang Shan (FGS) or affiliated organizations around the world. Students must receive two recommendation letters from an affiliated organization within the FGS organization.
• A minimum Term GPA and Cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, with minimum grade of “B+” for each course taken are required. Exceptions may be made based on individual cases. Students who have a GPA lower than the minimum requirement may still be considered for the fellowship acceptance if they are able to demonstrate distinguished strength in other aspects of the evaluation criteria.

Fellowship Criteria

• Leadership
  Demonstrate initiative in making constructive contributions to UWest and/or the wider community. This may include suggestions and/or organization of activities that have led to curriculum, institutional or community improvements.
• Service
  Demonstrate a record of service activities that contribute to the well-being of UWest and/or the wider community.
• Integrity
  Demonstrate behavior that reflects honesty, compassion, equanimity and appreciation for differences.
• Academic Achievement
  In satisfactory academic standing where recipients meet the minimum GPA requirement.

Fellowship Work

• Recipient of the fellowship is required to work 10 hours per week as a portion of tuition being waived. Fellowship work starts from week two of the semester and ends the week before the final week. Spring break, winter break and any school holidays are excluded.
• Fellowship work can be pre-assigned by the university.

Mid-year Progress Review

During the first two weeks of the Spring Semester, recipients of the fellowship will be reviewed for eligibility based on their enrollment status, academic progress and fellowship work performance. Recipients may be disqualified for the fellowship if the eligibility and fellowship criteria are no longer met.

Other Important Terms and Conditions:

• This fellowship is non-transferable and may not be delayed or postponed.
• This fellowship is to be used only for classes in the student’s field of study as determined by the Department Chair.
• This fellowship cannot be awarded in conjunction with the Institutional Scholarships and Fellowships or IBEF Scholarship. Student must return the fellowship fund if other scholarship money is received.
• A fellowship recipient may become disqualified after the award is made if his or her enrollment status changes during the term of award.
• Should an award be declined or returned, the Financial Aid Committee may apply that award to another applicant.

The UWest Buddha’s Light Fellowship Committee reserves the right to make changes to the above policy and procedure at any time.