The purpose of the King-Chávez-Parks Future Faculty Fellowship Program is to increase
the pool of academically or economically disadvantaged candidates pursuing faculty
teaching or administrative careers in postsecondary education. Preference may not
be given to applicants on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, or national
origin.
The program was created by the Michigan State Legislature in 1986 as part of the larger
King-Chávez-Parks Initiative designed to stem the downward spiral of college graduation
rates for students underrepresented in postsecondary education. Future Faculty Fellows
are eligible to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree at the public universities in
Michigan, and are obligated (by signed agreement) to remain in postsecondary faculty
teaching or administration in a public or private, 2- or 4-year, in-state or out-of-state
postsecondary institution for a minimum of three years equivalent full-time.
A portion of this service obligation may be completed while a student earns his/her
graduate degree. Fellows who do not fulfill the obligations of their fellowship agreement
may be placed in Default, which results in their fellowship converting to a loan (referred
to as a KCP Loan) that the Fellow repays to the State of Michigan. A Master’s recipient
may receive a maximum of $20,000 towards their degree and a doctoral student may receive
a maximum of $35,000 towards their degree. Learn more about the KCP initiative through the State of Michigan.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, an applicant must:
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Meet Michigan Tech's requirements for Michigan residency.
- Have been accepted at Michigan Tech into a graduate degree program that facilitates
a career in postsecondary teaching.
- Be in good academic standing, as defined by Michigan Tech.
- Not be currently in default on any guaranteed student loan.
- Have not previously received another FFF Award for the same degree level (master’s
or doctorate). (Note: Previous recipients that did not receive the maximum allowable
award may reapply for additional funds while still in pursuit of that degree.)
- Not currently be a recipient of an FFF Award at another university for a degree that
has not been completed.
- Not have previously had an FFF Award converted to a KCP Loan.
- Be academically or economically disadvantaged, as defined by the KCP Initiative.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be holistically evaluated by the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Committee
and a Michigan Tech staff member on the following criteria:
- Academic merit of the candidate.
- Ability of the candidate to conduct independent research.
- Level of commitment to pursuing a career in postsecondary education.
- Level of support from the graduate program.
- Overcoming economic disadvantages.
Application Procedure
Current or accepted students who meet the eligibility requirements may apply. Applications
are currently being accepted for funding beginning in fall 2024. Priority for funding
will be given to complete applications received by April 9, 2024, 4pm. Pending availability
of funds, applications received through 4pm, April 30, 2024 will be considered on
a rolling-basis. Applicants are highly encouraged to complete their application well
in advance of the portal closing on April 30th.
1
Review the eligibility criteria
2
Gather the materials needed for your application
The materials may be uploaded in one session or over several sessions on the application
portal. A list of what is required is provided here to aid students in preparing their
applications. Please gather:
- Materials needed to verify the academically or economically disadvantaged eligibility
criteria as described on the State’s eligibility document.
- Copy of your social security card.
- Copy of materials needed to verify your US citizenship (US Passport, Birth Certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the US, Certification of Report of Birth, or Certificate of Citizenship issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services).
- Driver’s license or state ID number
- Unofficial transcript if you have completed a semester of your graduate program at
Michigan Tech.
- Copies of all transcripts for previously earned degrees.
- A two-page (or less) educational and career goal statement linking your interests
and academic preparation to your current studies and postsecondary teaching career
focus.
- Your resume or Curriculum Vitae. It is recommended that this document include personal
and academic honors, campus/community activities, and academic or professional leadership
roles.
- An estimated budget summary of the remaining cost of your graduate degree by semester
(e.g. tuition, fees, books, living expenses) and budget justification. Include an
estimated summary of all sources of income and financial aid that you have received
or plan to receive, including fellowships, graduate assistantships, scholarships,
and grants. Please include a budget justification with supporting details.
- Estimated costs for each program are available online.
- Please use our budget template to prepare your budget summary.
- Please provide a budget justification that explains how you developed your summary.
- If you are eligible to apply because you qualified for federal financial aid in the
last five years, please describe in your budget justification how you overcame that
financial hurdle to obtain your bachelor’s degree.
- Three letters of recommendation. If your letter writers prefer to submit these directly
to Michigan Tech, they may be emailed to Dr. Debra Charlesworth. Please upload a document indicating who your referees are in lieu of reference letters.
- One of those letters must be from your graduate advisor at Michigan Tech.
- One of the letters must be from the department chair or college dean (CFRES, COB).
- One of the letters may be from any individual chosen by the applicant.
- The following information should be provided to letter writers to guide their letter.
The letters should describe:
- the chair or dean must describe the willingness of the department or college to provide financial support
to supplement the KCP funds. If the applicant is selected, the Graduate School and
academic unit will work together to provide a funding plan to the student using KCP
funds, Graduate School funds, and academic funds to fully support the student. Contact
Debra Charlesworth for more information and questions.
- the merit of the candidate.
- how the student will contribute to the diversity of the program.
- the mentoring plan for the student.
- if the student has already earned a graduate degree, the letter must also address
why a second graduate degree is necessary in order to obtain employment in post-secondary
education.
4
Submit your application
- Log into the MILogin for Citizens Portal
- Select “Request Access” from the top menu bar
- Search for “KCP Future Faculty Fellowship” in the search box
- Select the “KCP Future Faculty Fellowship” application.
- Select Michigan Technological University and complete your Profile.
- Your Dashboard will now contain a box labeled “My Opportunities.” You may click on
the KCP FFF Application to access the application and provide the information requested.
Questions regarding access to the KCP FFF online system can be sent to LEO-futurefaculty@michigan.gov or you may call the KCP Initiative Office at 517-241-9898.
Questions?
Please contact Dr. Debra Charlesworth with questions about the fellowship program or application procedure.