Applicants Overview

2025 - 2026 Academic Year Applications Open

November 1st, 2024 

Coverdell applications for the 2025-2026 academic year that are submitted after the application deadline on March 1st, 2025 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
 

The Coverdell Fellowship application is separate from degree program applications. Academic program applications may have different deadlines. Be sure to fill out an application for your program as well as Coverdell if you are interested in being a Fellow. Academic application waivers are not available for the Coverdell Fellowship.

 

For information on academic program deadlines, check the departmental website. This is the hub for program-specific academic information and coordinator contacts. Inquiries can be directed to the admissions coordinator listed in the online Academic Catalog.
 
Applicant newsletters, webinars, and program information will be shared with the Coverdell Inquiry Mailing List beginning in November. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, or if you have questions about the University of Arizona Coverdell Program, please send an email to aureacunanan@arizona.edu.

 

 
Photo of RPCV Paul La Farga in Paraguay

As a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, you have a wealth of cultural experience that will enhance your academic and career decisions. We are delighted that you are considering the University of Arizona for an advanced graduate degree. Key information for the application process is contained in this section.

PEACE CORPS COVERDELL FELLOW ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Who is eligible to be a Coverdell Fellow?

Peace Corps Volunteers earn lifetime eligibility for the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows program if they fall into one of the following categories:

  1. Peace Corps Volunteers who complete the full two-year tour of Peace Corps service or are otherwise given “completion of service” (COS) status
  2. Peace Corps Volunteers who are medically separated
  3. Peace Corps Volunteers who are given "interrupted service" status because of circumstances beyond their control
  4. Peace Corps Response or Global Health Services Partnership Volunteers who complete twelve months of service within a twenty-four month period
    • Exception: The 12 month requirement was waived for all Peace Corps Response Volunteers evacuated in March 2020 due to COVID-19.
       

Who is not eligible?

  • RPCVs who “early terminate” (ET) from Peace Corps for any reason not listed above, including administrative separation and voluntary resignation
  • Peace Corps Response and GHSP Volunteers who have not served 12 months with Peace Corps, regardless of the reason why (presuming that they did not already complete a satisfactory 2-year tour through Peace Corps’ primary program)
  • Individuals who are not Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (even if they completed similar service abroad)
Photo of RPCV Gaby Coronel in Ecuador

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA  REQUIREMENTS

  • Admission to a graduate degree-seeking program
  • Satisfactory annual academic progress
  • Service to an underserved population in the U.S. or its territories through an outreach assistantship, internship or other work
  • A total of 350-400 hours of service, outreach,  collective Fellows' service projects and activities per 12-month period for each year of the fellowship
 

APPLICATION DEADLINES

You must apply for both academic admission and Coverdell Fellows selection. On the UA academic application, do mark Peace Corps Fellows if you are applying to Coverdell Fellows.
Application deadlines for the Coverdell program are closed for the 2024-2025 academic year. 
  • January 13, 2025 - Priority deadline for Coverdell Fellow applications
  • March 1, 2025- Priority deadline for filing the FAFSA and final deadline for submitting Coverdell applications
  • We recommend that all Coverdell applicants apply for the FAFSA
  • Deadlines for academic applications can be found at Academic Programs. Contact the graduate program coordinator if a deadline has passed for a program that interests you.

Review Criteria

Applications are reviewed by multiple readers and offers are coordinated with academic units. You must be admitted to the academic program to be eligible for Coverdell Fellows consideration. Applications are read for:

  • Focus and purpose in academic and professional goals
  • Dedication to service of underserved communities in the region and skills to meet community needs
  • Continued dedication to the Third Goal of Peace Corps
  • Connection and fit with the University of Arizona academic and Coverdell program and opportunities
  • Demonstrated initiative or leadership
  • Cultural and developmental maturity in the face of the challenges of Peace Corps, international or domestic aid work

For an outline of our application's written responses, see the document below:

Applicant Essay Questions.pdf

 

 

Photo of Coverdell Fellows participating in the annual AIDS Walk.

APPLICATION WEBINARS AND CHATS

Application webinars are held throughout the year to provide general information about the Coverdell Fellows program at the University of Arizona. These sessions are a great opportunity to ask questions specific to the University of Arizona. Applicants can register with the Zoom links below to attend a public webinar session. 
Watch Past Sessions
  • You can view our most recent webinar here.

 

Note:  Please note we are in Arizona time (GMT-7) and we do not follow daylight savings time. For those who are unable to join in on the live webinars, you can view the above recording for an overview of the UA Coverdell program benefits.

 

WHOM TO CONTACT

For questions about the academic program, research faculty, grades, GRE scores, or graduate assistantships, contact the departmental Graduate Admissions Coordinator.

VIRTUAL VISIT

The Coverdell Fellows staff welcomes the opportunity to meet with you by phone, Zoom or webinar to discuss your Coverdell Fellows application. Contact us by email aureacunanan@arizona.edu  to arrange a virtual meeting.