The Holst-scholarship was established in 1994 upon the untimely death of Foreign Minister Johan Jørgen Holst, and the first scholarship was awarded in 1995. The scholarship is awarded to one Norwegian student for up to three years in the pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science at Columbia College. Since its initiation, five Norwegian students have received the scholarship. The previous Holst scholar graduated in the fall of 2005, and the new scholar will start at Columbia in the fall of 2007.
The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research has awarded $10.000 for the Holst scholarship. In addition, the recipient will receive needs based financial aid from Columbia College, which is based on the student’s financial situation, including the income of his/her parents. The student may also apply to Statens Lånekasse for regular financial aid.
Columbia College is the undergraduate school of Columbia University, one of the eight colleges that comprise the Ivy League. Located on a large campus on the Upper West Side of New York City, it combines college life with availability to the cultural and intellectual attractions of a cosmopolitan city. The academic program involves a required Western Civilization core curriculum, a surprising number of small classes and access to a world-class faculty. Over 98% of all undergraduate students reside on campus.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE HOLST-SCHOLARSHIP
• The scholarship is open to students at all higher education institutions in Norway.
• Applicant must be Norwegian citizen and reside in Norway.
• Preference will be given to applicant who has not previously studied in the United States
• Applicant must have completed one year of higher education at a college or university in Norway.
• Applicant must pursue a major in political science at Columbia College. Applicant need not have studied political science previously in Norway.
• Applicant must be highly proficient in English
• The scholarship is renewable for up to two years, totaling three years of funded study at Columbia College. The student must maintain in good standing at Columbia to be eligible for renewal.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
• Interested students should apply through the websites of Columbia College for ”transfer admission”. Paper applications will not be accepted. Please note that while Columbia normally does not accept transfer students from abroad, there is an exemption for Holst-scholars. There is a $70 application fee.
• The applicant must submit official transcripts in English from all high schools and colleges previously attended. Note that “official” means original transcripts sent directly from the school. No copies are accepted, and the documents cannot be submitted by the student.
• Columbia has waived the SAT and TOEFL-requirements for Holst-applicants, so applicants need not take these tests in order to apply.
• The decision will be made by Columbia College, assisted by the education coordinator at the Norwegian Consulate General in New York.
• Online application forms and additional information about the application process can be found here: http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/applications/transfer.php
• The application deadline is March 15, 2007
• Applicants will be notified by the middle of May, and must respond to Columbia by early June.
NOTE: The application to Columbia and the application for the Holst-scholarship are combined in the online application to Columbia College. Upon being awarded the scholarship, the recipient will receive the necessary papers to apply for a student visa at the US embassy in Oslo.
Questions can be directed to Mats Silberg at the Norwegian Consulate General in New York:
E-mail msi@mfa.no