Academic Status Explanation
If you meet eligibility requirements explained in the About the NDSEG Fellowship page, you will not need to fill out this section and it will not be visible either on the sidebar or on the "Overall Status" page. If, however, you select "Other" from the "Academic Status" list on the the Academic Status page, then the Academic Status Explanation link will appear at the bottom of the sidebar on the left, and you will see an entry for it on the "Overall Status" page.
For the applicants who need to fill out this section, eligibility is determined using the applicant’s written response. NDSEG Fellowships are intended for students at or near the beginning of their graduate studies in science or engineering. After completing the Explanation, click "Save academic status explanation." You will not be able to submit the application unless you have filled out this section.
In this statement, explain the circumstances, such as a change in discipline, advisors, or school that you believe qualify you as being in the early stages of your graduate studies. Your response will be limited to 1,500 characters, including spaces.
For example, you could use this section to explain that you were a student that had switched from Oceanography to Physics and very little or none of your previous work would transfer, and that therefore you were essentially starting over in your graduate studies.