NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, how much input from one's own advisor is ethical? I know someone who recently got the fellowship and unfortunately everyone else in his circle of friends and colleagues are complaining that he got an amount of help and input from his advisor that they feel was unfair.  (He was the only fellowship winner in his group.) My friend is currently feeling like crap because of these hurtful comments, instead of getting congratulatory comments.  He admits to being lucky for having a caring advisor but he also worked extremely hard on his application.  

What amount of help from the advisor is bordering on unethical, when it comes to the NSF GRFP application?
There is nothing wrong with having assistance on this or any other fellowship application.  It would be foolish not to seek out assistance.  Note that the NSF even advises "get feedback from others" and provides a list of experienced people who can help applicants.  The expectation is that applicants will have help.

While there may be a level of assistance that is inappropriate, someone who "worked extremely hard on his application" should not spend a moment worrying about this.  The complaints from his peers sound like jealousy.