Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship: Social Work Advanced Practice Leadership

The Paul D. Coverdell Fellowship program offers financial assistance to returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) who would like to study at the graduate level. All fellows complete internships in underserved American communities, allowing them to bring home and expand upon the skills they learned as Volunteers. These skills in adapting to new cultures, developing and managing projects, dealing with language barriers, and leveraging limited resources attract the attention of prospective schools.

Peace Corps Logo with red "feathers" on a blue background

At Texas State, the Coverdell Fellowship is available for RPCVs applying to the Social Work Advanced Practice Leadership master's degree program. The deadline to apply for the Coverdell Fellowship is the same as the priority deadline for the Social Work Advanced Practice Leadership application: January 15.  You must complete the online application for graduate studies with the Coverdell Fellowship application requirements by January 15 in order to be considered.

Award Details

  • application fee waiver
  • out-of-state tuition waiver (if applicable)
  • graduate assistantship for the length of the program (only counting hours applicable to the degree, provided the student remains in good standing)
  • $1,000 scholarship provided by The Graduate College during two fall semesters for a total of $2,000 for B.S.W. holders, and for three fall semesters for a total of $3,000 for non-B.S.W. holders

The selected Fellow will be responsible for paying in-state tuition and mandatory student fees.

Other benefits and opportunities:

  • Coverdell Fellow applicants will automatically be considered for Merit Fellowships.
  • Coverdell Fellows can apply yearly for Graduate College Scholarships for up to $3,000 per academic year.
  • Coverdell Fellows can apply for various scholarships offered through the College of Liberal Arts.

Research Support:

  • Coverdell Fellows are guaranteed to received conference travel support ($150—300) for two trips per academic year from The Graduate College (in addition to funding from their program and/or academic college) provided they present research at conferences.
  • Coverdell Fellows can apply for competitive Thesis Research Support Fellowships which provide $2,000 for expenses related to thesis research.
  • The Graduate College has external funding coordinators who help students apply for scholarships/fellowships/grants from external organizations and foundations.

Eligibility Requirements

All returned Peace Corps Volunteers who satisfactorily complete their service have lifetime eligibility for the Coverdell Fellows program. Most returned Volunteers fall into this category. Satisfactory completion includes the following:

  • volunteers who completed the full two-year tour of Peace Corps service (not more than 90 days of emergency leave)
  • volunteers granted "early close of service"
  • volunteers granted "interrupted service" status because of circumstances beyond their control
  • volunteers who were medically separated

In addition, returned Peace Corps Response Volunteers and Global Health Service Partnership Volunteers who complete 12 months of service have lifetime eligibility for the Coverdell Fellows program. The 12 months may come through a single, year-long tour or a combination of shorter tours.


Application Requirements

In order to be considered for the Coverdell Fellowship, you will submit the admission requirements for Social Work Advanced Practice Leadership master's degree program, with the following modifications:

  • check "yes" to the Coverdell Applicant question in the application
  • list your Peace Corps Volunteer work in your resume/CV
  • explicitly mention your Peace Corps Volunteer work in your statement of purpose
  • submit your official Peace Corps description of service as part of the application process.

Enrollment Requirements

  • must complete service to an underserved U.S. community through a program-approved internship
  • must remain in good standing
  • may participate in outreach talks about the Peace Corps

Selection Process

Once applicants complete the application process, their grade point average (GPA) will be calculated. The program will be notified of Coverdell Fellowship applicants at the time of review. The program will then make an admissions recommendation to the graduate dean with whom the final admissions decision rests.

The Graduate College will notify students of their admission status via email. If admitted, the program will tell them whether or not they were accepted as Coverdell Fellows.


Coordinator Information

The Graduate College
J.C. Kellam Administration Building, Suite 280
Texas State University
601 University Dr.
San Marcos, TX 78666

Dr. Andrea Golato
Dean, The Graduate College
agolato@txstate.edu
512.245.2581