myUface Blog

Our blog readers will know that we at myUface are BIG fans of the US Government funded “Opportunity Grants”. Why? Where else can students apply for up to $10,000 in financial support to help them afford college? We just can’t emphasize enough what a great program this is. Therefore, we wanted to take the time to once again encourage the myUface community to look into Opportunity Grants and explain them here in a bit more detail.

We talked with one of our colleagues from American Councils for International Education  and here’s what we learned:

1. What Are Opportunity Funds?

Opportunity funds supports underrepresented students of modest means by covering the up-front costs of applying to university in the United States. Such costs may include: test preparation and fees; visa and application fees; transportation costs; books and settling in allowance, English language courses, and when appropriate, top-off funds toward tuition. Opportunity support can be used for both graduate and undergraduate education at accredited, degree-granting institutions in the United States. The total amount of support per recipient may not exceed US$10,000. Opportunity support has been provided since 2006 and currently is offered in 23 countries worldwide.

2. Which countries do you have to live in to be eligible?

Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Venezuela, Yemen, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama

How can the myUface community apply? First, you MUST be a citizen and resident in one of the countries listed above. Second, you have to apply to an accredited US university (no short term programs, non accredited universities, etc). Third, you have to apply at your local office of EducationUSA in your country. You can get a list of education advising centers here. Better yet, write us on the blog or email us at contact@myuface.com and WE will get in touch with an educational advisor in your country and start the process for you!

Don’t let this great opportunity pass you by! Remember, myUface wants to help you get into U and there might be up to $10,000 available to help you do just that!!!!

Yes, it’s true:  Opportunity Grants offer up to $10,000 to help cover the costs of your U.S. education.

This is Michael Curtis, writing today on a very important subject.  On June 22, Nate made a very important blog entry focused on US Government financed educational opportunities. Nate hit some great points – there are numerous opportunities for students to study at little or no cost in the U.S. Perhaps more importantly, most of these programs begin recruiting students right now! September generally is the start of recruitment for most high school, undergraduate and graduate programs.

Many tens of thousands of students will apply for these fellowships. Unfortunately, not all will be chosen. That’s where myUface comes in. However, as we’ve mentioned, myUface doesn’t guarantee 100% financing for your education. In all likelihood, you will have to come up with at least a portion of the cost of your education and living expenses while in the U.S. While this is often difficult, don’t despair! The US State Department funds a fantastic program in numerous countries that can cover up to $10,000 for things like:

• test preparation
• visa and application fees;
• transportation costs;
• books;
• English language courses ; and
• (in some cases) top-off funds toward tuition.

The program is called “Opportunity Grants” and it represents one of the most exiting ways for many students to help with covering some of the costs of education. While these grants are not offered in each country, many students will benefit from them.

How do you go about finding out more about opportunity grants and how they might make your dream of studying in the US a bit closer to reality? Check out the website of your local US embassy! For instance, if you are a citizen of Kazakhstan, you would find the information here. You could also read the following, available  for download.

Don’t forget about opportunity grants when you are determining whether or not you can afford to study in the US!  Visit the website of your U.S. Embassy or Educational Advising Center to see if Opportunity Grants are a possibility for you!

Update: According to the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan, students from the following countries are eligible for Opportunity Grants:

Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen. Beginning summer 2009, students from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama will also be eligible to apply through the local EducationUSA advising office.