Application Process
Honesty in Fellowship Applications and Essays
In keeping with the Yale College policy on academic honesty, OFP expects that all essays, budgets, resumes, transcripts or other supporting materials submitted as part of a fellowship application are accurate and that they represent the student's own work. It is a breach of academic honesty to misrepresent one's needs or accomplishments. It is a similar breach of academic honesty to borrow from other writers without proper acknowledgment or to submit as one's own material that has been written or re-written by other hands. Any student with a question about the extent of permissible editorial help should consult with an OFP adviser. Students are urged to use particular caution in consulting commercial editing services or others who offer to "correct" or "make changes" to their essays. Perceived violations of this policy will be referred to the Yale College Executive Committee.
Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation submitted for a particular fellowship competition are not considered transferable to other competitions or to other offices or agencies. Referees may request copies of letters submitted in support of successful candidates during the current or two preceding academic years by contacting the OFP Office (iefp.fellowships@yale.edu). All recommendation letters are considered confidential and will not be released to the students.
Multiple Awards
It is expected that a student who has won and accepted a fellowship award will notify the OFP Office if other fellowship applications are still pending. In case of multiple awards for the same project, the student should notify OFP and other appropriate offices to ensure that an equitable arrangement is made.
Academic Standing
Student recipients of Yale College fellowships must remain in good academic standing at the end of the semester in which the fellowship is awarded. When a student is withdrawn from Yale College for any reason, the Yale College fellowship is subject to cancellation.
Archives
All fellowship application materials submitted to the OFP Office will be retained on file for one academic year after the academic year of submission. Materials for fellowship recipients and nominees to national competitions will be kept on file in the OFP Office for two additional years and thereafter in perpetuity through the Yale University Library Archives. All materials for unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed after one year. The OFP Office urges all applicants to keep photocopies of their application materials.
Fellowships and the IRS
Under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, most fellowship monies are considered taxable income. Certain fellowships are "qualified," in which case specific portions of the funds awarded may be deductible. Fellowship recipients are advised to consult an accountant regarding the declaration of fellowship funds and to review carefully Chapter I of the IRS Publication 970 - Tax Benefits for Education (pdf).