DEFINITION OF TERMS

Definition of a Sophomore:

A “sophomore” for the purposes of a Goldwater nomination is defined as an undergraduate who has a minimum of three but not more than four semesters left of full-time undergraduate study beginning September 2025. A sophomore who is awarded a Goldwater Scholarship can expect to receive a maximum of two years (4 semesters) of support.

Definition of a Junior:

A “junior” for the purposes of a Goldwater nomination is defined as an undergraduate who has a minimum of one but not more than two semesters left of full-time undergraduate study beginning September 2025. A junior who is awarded a Goldwater Scholarship can expect to receive a maximum of one year (2 semesters) of support.

Definition of a Transfer Student:

For the purposes of a Goldwater nomination, a “transfer student” is defined to be a student who began their college career at a 2- or 4-year college or university other than the academic institution that is nominating the student for a Goldwater scholarship. An associate degree or a minimum amount of time in residence at another institution is not required. High school students who have taken college classes prior to enrolling in a college degree-granting program are not considered to be transfer students.

Definition of a U.S. Veteran:

According to 38 U.S.C. § 101(2), the term “veteran” means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

Definition of Addresses:

    • Current Address (address entered in your Profile): The mailing address you use when you are at school. The address at which you expect to receive mail. This is the address the Goldwater Scholarship Foundation and Scholarship American will use to mail you correspondence.
    • Legal Address: This is the address you use to vote. The Foundation will use this address to identify your Congressional House and Senate members. Beginning in 2018, the Foundation notified Senate offices of Goldwater awardees from their state. In 2020, The Foundation also began notifying House offices of scholarship winners from their congressional district.