Cwrs Cymraeg Scholarship Information

Q: What scholarships are available? 

A:   (1) The Naomi Mergenthal Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a promising student of the Welsh language 22 years of age or younger. The scholarship covers full tuition and shared room and board. Travel costs and optional extra expenses are not covered. Only students who have not previously received the Mergenthal scholarship may apply. 

(2) The Barckley Scholarship is awarded to the applicant with the most compelling reasons for both attending the Cwrs and needing financial aid. The recipient is chosen from the general pool of scholarship applicants and receives a partial scholarship. 

(3) Cymdeithas Madog also awards partial and full scholarships annually, depending on the number of applicants and the available funds. 

(4) In some years individual Welsh American organizations provide special scholarships to attend. Look for announcements about these that may be posted on our website: madog.org.

Q: Do you have a matching scholarship program? 

A: Yes. Cymdeithas Madog participates in a matching scholarship program with many local Welsh societies and other organizations. We will match the scholarship contribution of a Welsh group, an educational institution, or other non-profit organization up to a determined amount. Contact your local Welsh society, school, or organization to see if it is willing to cooperate with Cymdeithas Madog to fund a scholarship.

Q: How do I apply for a scholarship? 

A: The scholarship application for 2023 is now available on the Cymdeithas Madog website at the links above, or an application may be requested from the  Scholarship Coordinator by mail or e-mail. 

Q: Do I need to register before applying for a scholarship? 

A: No.  You can wait until after your scholarship has been awarded to register.  You will receive instructions for redeeming your scholarship discount through Eventbrite.

Q: What is the closing date for submitting a scholarship application? 

A: It should be postmarked by April 30, 2023.

Q: Does submission of a scholarship application reserve a place for me on the course? 

A: No. After your scholarship has been awarded, you will also need to register for the course via Eventbrite.  You will be provided with instructions on how to redeem your scholarship discount when registering.

Q: What should I do if I cannot attend the Cwrs after receiving a scholarship? 

A: Please notify the scholarship coordinator of your decision to accept or not accept a scholarship offer within 2 weeks of the offer. If for any reason you cannot come to the Cwrs after accepting an offer, please notify the scholarship chair immediately.

Q: Do I need a letter of recommendation? 

A:  Yes. A person who knows of your interest in the Welsh language must write a letter of recommendation on your behalf and email or mail it directly to the Scholarship Committee chairman postmarked by April 30, 2023. 

Letters of recommendation have come from teachers, clergy, and fellow members of local Welsh societies. 

If you are applying for a matching scholarship, yoursponsoring organization must send a letter directly to the Scholarship Committee chair, confirming the amount of money pledged for you.

Q: How does Cymdeithas Madog fund its scholarships?

A: Funding for the Cymdeithas Madog Scholarship Program comes from various sources, including grants provided by the National Welsh American Foundation, contributions by local Welsh societies and private donors, and from Cymdeithas Madog itself. Cymdeithas Madog has established a Scholarship Endowment Fund to increase its ability to award scholarships.

Q: How can I make a contribution to the Cymdeithas Madog Scholarship Fund? 

A: Many students request assistance with the tuition to attend Cwrs Cymraeg. Your donation can help another student explore the Welsh language. For more information on how you can help, visit the donation information page on our website. Donations to the Cymdeithas Madog Scholarship Endowment Fund are tax deductible for U.S. taxpayers.

Q: Who can answer my other questions about scholarships? 

A: The Scholarship Committee chair, Gabriel Rochelle, will attempt to answer any questions.  He can be contacted at gabrielcroch@aol.com or 575-520-1916. 

Information about scholarships will be updated regularly on the scholarships page of our website.

 Cymdeithas Madog, the Welsh Studies Institute in North America, Inc., is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping North Americans learn, use, and enjoy the Welsh language. It takes its name from Madog ab Owain Gwynedd, a Welsh prince who (according to legend) sailed to America in the 12th century. That makes him a fitting symbol of the cultural and linguistic links between Wales and the New World, which Cymdeithas Madog seeks to maintain.