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Description
The Rangel Graduate Fellowship is for students who are committed to careers as Foreign Service Officers in the U.S. Department of State. The Rangel Program selects 10 fellows annually, supporting them through two years of advanced graduate study at Department-approved institutions in the Washington, D.C., area, targeted professional development, and practical training. Upon successfully completing the fellowship and Foreign Service entry requirements, fellows are appointed as Foreign Service Officers.
The Rangel Fellowship offers comprehensive funding to support fellows throughout their two-year master’s degree programs, up to $88,000 annually for two years:
- Tuition Assistance: Up to $55,000 per academic year for tuition and mandatory academic fees.
- Living Expense Stipend: $33,000 annually ($16,500 per semester) to assist with housing, meals, books, and living expenses.
- Paid Summer Internships: Stipend support and travel coverage for two required summer placements—one domestic internship working on international issues for members of Congress in Washington, D.C., and one overseas placement at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Professional Mentorship: Dedicated pairing with a Foreign Service Officer mentor throughout the duration of the fellowship.
- Cohort Size: 10 fellows selected annually per cohort.
At the conclusion of two years of study, the Rangel Fellow is expected to have obtained a degree in international affairs or another area of relevance to the work of the Foreign Service at a Department-approved graduate program. Awardees are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 throughout their period of study.
Eligibility
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria upon submitting their application:
- Must be a U.S. citizenship.
- Must possess a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale and maintain at least a 3.2 GPA throughout graduate study.
- Educational Path: Must be seeking admission to enter an approved two-year, full-time master’s degree program in the upcoming fall semester at a Department-approved university in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area in an academic field relevant to the Foreign Service. Applicants may be college graduates or undergraduate seniors who will complete their degree by the June following the application deadline.
- Passing score on revised Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT).
- Must agree to execute a minimum five-year service commitment as a Foreign Service Officer upon successful completion of the program and entry requirements.
Consideration will be given to qualified applicants who, in addition to outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement, demonstrate financial need.
Selection Criteria
From the Rangel Fellowship website:
A panel of individuals with experience working with the U.S. Foreign Service makes selections for the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program. A candidate's community, academic, extracurricular, and leadership activities will be considered during the selection process. Consideration will be given to qualified applicants who, in addition to outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement, demonstrate financial need.
Consistent with the Foreign Service Act and the Administration’s Executive Orders on equal opportunity and merit-based selection (E.O. 14281, E.O. 14173, and E.O. 14151), the assessment to identify financial need will use objective, verifiable measures, such as receiving a Federal Pell Grant or participating in a Federal TRIO Program, consistent with 20 U.S.C. § 1070a-11(h)(3). Once selected, no fellow should be kept from serving because of financial need.
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship selection panel will choose approximately 50 finalists. The Rangel Program staff will communicate decisions by email to both successful and unsuccessful applicants. Candidates selected for final consideration will participate in an interview and a written exercise. The program expects to award 10 fellowships per cycle.