FAQ

AGE REQUIREMENTS

• I just found out about the scholarship but am already 27.  Can I still apply?
• I took time off from school and as a result, am graduating college at an older age.  Now I have discovered scuba diving, I know what I would like to do with my life.  I am now over the age limit; since I didn’t start college until later, can I apply?

At this point in time, our upper age limit is 26. However, please check our website as our qualifications do change from time to time. 

CITIZENSHIP

• I am a citizen of both Europe and North America.  Can I apply for both scholarships?
• I am a permanent resident of an eligible country but not a citizen. Can I still apply?

It will depend on the country for which you hold citizenship. Please see the chart below to establish which scholarship you would be eligible for. At this time we can only award the scholarship to citizens, not permanent residents, of the countries listed. You may apply for only one region.  If you have dual citizenship, we recommend you apply for the region where you intend to live in the future.

Australasian Countries	European Countries	North American Countries
Australia	Andorra	Anguilla
Christmas Island	Austria	Antigua & Barbuda
Cocos Keeling Islands	Belgium	Aruba
Cook Islands	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Bahamas
Fiji	Bulgaria	Barbados
New Caledonia	Croatia	Belize
New Zealand	Cyprus	Bermuda
Niue	Czechia	Bonaire
Papua New Guinea	Denmark	British Virgin Islands
Solomon Islands	Estonia	Canada
Tonga	Finland	Cayman Islands
Vanuatu	France	Costa Rica
	Germany	Curaçao
	Gibraltar	Dominica
	Greece	Dominican Republic
	Guernsey	El Salvador
	Hungary	Grenada
	Iceland	Guadeloupe
	Ireland	Guatemala
	Isle of Man	Haiti
	Italy	Honduras
	Jersey	Jamaica
	Latvia	Martinique
	Liechtenstein	Mexico
	Lithuania	Montserrat
	Luxembourg	Nicaragua
	Malta	Panama
	Monaco	Puerto Rico
	Montenegro	Saba
	Netherlands	Saint Barthélemy
	North Macedonia	Saint Eustatius
	Norway	Saint Kitts and Nevis
	Poland	Saint Lucia
	Portugal	Saint Martin
	Romania	Saint Pierre and Miquelon
	San Marino	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
	Serbia	San Andrés and Providencia
	Slovakia	Trinidad and Tobago
	Slovenia	Turks and Caicos
	Spain	United States
	Svalbard and Jan Mayen	United States Virgin Islands
	Sweden
	Switzerland
	Ukraine
	United Kingdom

 

DIVE LOGS

I am an avid scuba diver, diving multiple times each week. Because of the high volume of diving I do, I do not have an updated log book.

As divers, we can't stress enough the need for you to keep a log, even if it is just time, depth and date.  If you have a dive computer that can download your dive computer information to a computer, we will accept electronic dive logs. We do need to see your last 6 months of records in whatever form you keep your dive logs.  Please submit them online.

I have not been actively diving in the last six months. My dive log only has two dives in that period. What should I submit?

If you have less than 25 dives in the last six months, extend the time period of your logs sufficient to include your 25 most recent dives.

DIVE REQUIREMENTS

• I will not have my rescue diver certification prior to the deadline.  If I promise to take it next semester, can I still be considered?
• I do not have the 25 dives yet. Can I still apply?

Due to the large amount of diving in different environments and conditions, as well as potential training requirements during the scholarship year, we require a minimum of 25 open water scuba dives for the applicant’s safety and preparedness.  We also require rescue diver or equivalent status due to your own safety and ability to help other divers if need be.  We can sometimes make allowances for the rescue diver certification if it can be completed shortly after the deadline, or if the applicant can demonstrate equivalent experience or training.

While you might not have the minimum number of dives or the rescue diver status, think of this as an opportunity to better yourself as a diver and be able to add those requirements to your resume on the following year’s application.

EDUCATION

Are official transcripts required or may I submit unofficial transcripts or transcript copies?

Applicants may upload unofficial transcripts and copies in their initial application. However, finalists WILL be required to provide official transcripts to OWUSS. We require all official transcripts to be sent in a sealed envelope stamped with a signature or school stamp.

My university will not release my transcripts to me, so I can’t include them with the other materials in my application packet.  Can my school submit transcripts directly to you?

Yes. While we prefer your application be submitted complete, we understand if this is against your school’s policy. In this case, your transcript may be submitted separately.

Are transcripts required from all institutions an applicant has attended or just the primary institution?

Please upload transcripts for all relevant institutions, not just the current or primary school.

I am in graduate school, but I do not yet have a graduate degree. May I still apply?

Yes, as long as you do not have any graduate degrees yet (i.e. Masters, Doctorate etc.). The requirement stipulates that you “must not have earned a graduate degree by 1 April of the scholarship year".

I have an MBA but now want to change to a marine-related career. Am I eligible to apply?

No. Under our current application requirements, you are not eligible if you have any graduate degree, no matter what field it’s in.

FINAL SELECTION

When will I hear if I am being considered as a finalist?

The selection process is comprised of multiple stages.  The finalists from each region will be informed by the end of March and interviews scheduled.  Selection result is expected to be announced in April.

When will the scholarship year begin?

The official start date for the scholarship year begins with our annual awards ceremony, traditionally held in New York City. Typically, this is in early June. However, if scheduling permits, there may be some additional opportunities prior to that date. 

INSURANCE

I do not currently have health insurance. Do I need it for the scholarship year?

You don't need to have health insurance at the time your application is submitted. If you are selected as a scholar, you must have a health insurance policy in place which will cover you in your travels both domestically and overseas for the duration of your scholarship year. 

How do I get health insurance?
The scholar's health and safety are of paramount concern during their scholarship year. As part of the vetting process for the scholarship, the Society requires that all scholars be covered by a recognized health insurance plan from their respective country of residence. We cannot make recommendations for insurance providers. We suggest checking with your country's health department or health insurance system.

Do I need car insurance?

The scholarship year involves a lot of travel. If you will be driving a personal vehicle, you must carry at least the minimum amount of vehicle insurance as required by law.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION:

What is the best method of submitting my letters of recommendation?

Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society™ can only accept recommendation letters directly from the referees. As a result, please arrange to have referees email letters of recommendation directly to references@owuscholarship.org. You will also be prompted to include the name and contact information of your referees as part of your online application. 

I would appreciate definition/clarification of what kind of recommendation letter you would like for the 'Two letters of recommendation from persons in your community'.

This is really up to you. You could ask a community member from your home town, an employer, a coworker, or anyone who knows you well (preferably someone other than a family member). A recommender may be someone who could add a different perspective to your background or who would be a good reference but doesn't necessarily fit within the confines of the other recommendation categories.

To whom should the letters of recommendation be addressed?

Many people will read your application, so our recommendation would be: 'Dear Selection Committee Members' or anything comparable.

MEDICAL

I recently had a medical exam. Do I need to have another or will this one suffice?

As long as it is less than a year old, it will qualify. Note: If you have had an AAUS (or equivalent) physical within the past 4 years, and it will not expire during the scholarship year, that may qualify.

Do I have to have an EKG or any of the other exams listed on the physical?  How current do the chest x-rays and blood work need to be?

They are only necessary if your physician deems it so.  However, the more medical information we have, the safer diver/scholar/intern you may be.

My height and weight do not fit your chart, does this mean I can’t apply?

In our opinion, the height/weight charts should be viewed as guidelines rather than absolutes.

In all likelihood, you are probably more fit than an average person if you are an active scuba diver.  If you are chosen as the Scholar, you will have to pass either a NOAA or AAUS physical before you can begin.

APPLICATION FEE

All scholarship and internship application fees are payable online via PayPal only.  You will be redirected to PayPal upon application submission.

North America:
The North American Scholarship application fee is $30.00, and the North American Internship application fee is $25.00 per internship.

Europe:
The European Scholarship application fee is $30.00.

Australasia:
The Australasian Scholarship application fee is $30.00.

Your application will be complete after all materials have been submitted and payment has been received.

 

If you do not qualify for our scholarship program, the Our World-Underwater Scholarship Society™ does offer internships which have different requirements than the Scholarships.  We invite you to please read through the internship offerings for the upcoming year.  

Note: If you meet the requirements for the internship, that application deadline is the same time as the scholarship application deadline.