Scholarships 101

1. Scholarships 101 Graduate Programs Sunshine Ison Cultural Attaché Officer Paša Lejlić, Academic Exchange Coordinator Elizabeta Delalić, Cultural and Educational Specialist Aleksandra Popović, EducationUSA adviser EducationUSA.state.gov

2. 720,000+ International Students2010/11 Academic Year Asia Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Oceania Study in the US EducationUSA.state.gov

3. Supported by U.S. State Department Accurate, Comprehensive, Impartial & Timely Information Hundreds of Centers in 170 countries About EducationUSA EducationUSA.state.gov

4. Graduate study: Basics • Financial Aid or Assistance is monetary assistance to eligible students • May be known by different names like scholarships, out-of-state tuition waiver, grants, assistantships, fellowships etc. • Broadly speaking, for international students, anything that helps you lessen the total cost of attendance (COA) is scholarship EducationUSA.state.gov

5. Basics contd • Science and Engineering majors have higher chances • Undergrad vs. Grad • Master’s vs. PhDs • Public vs. Private • Fall vs. Spring EducationUSA.state.gov

6. Basics contd. • Almost always based on merit • Merit: Test score, SOP, Recommendation Letters & Mastery of chosen field • Process of selection not elimination • Summer is good time to search for the fall of next year; 65% deadlines fall between November to March EducationUSA.state.gov

7. Basics contd. • 56-82% international graduate students get primary funding from U.S. colleges and universities • Less than 9% from other sources (e.g. Fulbright, ADB, Private sponsors, organizations) • Higher up you go, more funding available • In Science, Eng., Comp. Science and Math, 82% PhD candidates & 55% Master’s candidates are awarded funding EducationUSA.state.gov

8. In Humanities & Social Sciences 56% PhD candidates & 41% Master’s candidates are awarded funding • Scholarship is rare for MBA, Law, and Health • External grants (even smaller amounts) gives you an edge • Private vs. Public ; Funding vs. Teaching Asst. • Higher chances for Master’s candidates at an institution offering a PhD degree as well EducationUSA.state.gov

9. Four Steps to Financing your Education • Assess your personal and family funds • Identify eligibility requirements for scholarships • Compile effective applications • Reduce education costs EducationUSA.state.gov

10. Types of Scholarship Generally 3 Types • Fellowships • Assistantships • Grants EducationUSA.state.gov

11. Types of Scholarship contd. Fellowships • Offered at the beginning of graduate level • No work obligation • Offered to someone taking advanced courses, doing research or working on a project EducationUSA.state.gov

12. Types of Scholarship contd. Fellowships • Ranges from $1K to $15K per year. Over $25K is rare • Usually covers living expense; sometimes may include tuition & fees • Granted on the basis of merit EducationUSA.state.gov

13. Types of Scholarship contd. Grants • Mostly advanced level grad students qualify • Provided to pursue special projects • Consists of small amount: $1K-$3K. More than $10K is rare • Doesn’t include living cost • Based on originality, importance and ability to carry research successfully EducationUSA.state.gov

14. Assistantships Not just employment relationship Integral and important part of grad education Grant ranges from $5K to $30K per year with 10-20 hrs. of work per week . Types of Scholarship contd. EducationUSA.state.gov

15. Types of Scholarship contd. Teaching Assistantship (TA) • Usually provides salary with full or partial tuition remission • May/may not include health benefits • Involves teaching undergrad classes, grading papers, and monitoring labs • May involve attending undergrad class and carrying lighter course loads EducationUSA.state.gov

16. Types of Scholarship contd. Research Assistantship (RA) • Similar to Teaching Assistantship in terms of pay • Involves research assignment in your discipline • Generally this will support your thesis dissertation EducationUSA.state.gov

17. How to Win Grad Assistantships • Profs. control most assistantships • Go to dept. webpage; communicate • Assure Profs. how you can contribute • Present polished & professional application • Try to secure an interview over the phone EducationUSA.state.gov

18. How to Increase your Aid? • Request colleges to match your current aid offer • Apply to colleges in clusters; most competitive schools compete for same students • Beat the priority deadline • Ask politely to speak with the Director of Financial Aid • Research outside sources EducationUSA.state.gov

19. Take more courses and graduate early Live with a relative, friend or host parents Apply for Resident Adviser position On campus employment Try for out-of-state tuition waiver Ways to Reduce Cost of Attendance EducationUSA.state.gov

20. Funding Strategies • Research thoroughly all possible options • Apply to the programs that have the most funding • Be prepared to pay for the first semester, so they can see what you can do • Professors control assistantships: communicate with them and show relevant experience that you can contribute • Score as high as you can on GRE/GMAT, TOEFL • The early bird gets the worm: submit completed applications before January 1 • Professional and polished applications • Apply to at least five programs EducationUSA.state.gov

21. Scholarship Myths • Scholarship with high TOEFL/ IELTS scores • High GRE is automatic scholarship • Int. student scholarship/ Diversity Scholarship • Working outside EducationUSA.state.gov

22. Tests • Don’t put the cart before the horse: make your plan before taking tests. • Tests are important, but not every department requires them, and test scores count about 10% in the admissions process. • Study hard so that your test score reflects well on you and your university. EducationUSA.state.gov

23. Tests: GRE • Graduate Record Exam • 3 sections: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing Score: 200-800 on objective sections, 1-6 on AWA • Computer-based: offered daily • . • Paper-based: offered October and February • Cost $170 • Study Guides available at Advising Center EducationUSA.state.gov

24. Graduate Management Admission Test 3 sections: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing Assessment Score: 200-800, 1-6 on AWA Computer-Based: offered twice a month Cost $250 Study Guides available at Advising Center Go to www.mba.com for details . Tests: GMAT EducationUSA.state.gov

25. Tests: TOEFL • Test of English as a Foreign Language • Some universities will waive TOEFL for students who can demonstrate strong command of English, but high TOEFL score advantageous in competition for funding • Internet-based: 3 times a month • Study Guides available at Advising Center EducationUSA.state.gov

26. 4 sections, integrated: speaking, reading, listening, writing Score scale 0-120; minimum expected score: 80 See www.ets.org/toefl for details Costs: $180 . Tests: iBT TOEFL EducationUSA.state.gov

27. Resources: Online • EducationUSA.info EducationUSA.state.gov

28. Resources: Books • Peterson’s Guides to Graduate Study: 6-volume set • Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student’s Guide to a Master’s or Ph.D. • Graduate Admissions Essays, Donald Asher EducationUSA.state.gov

29. Contacts • Aleksandra Popović, EducationUSA student adviser • 033 212 076 • educationusa@americancouncilssee.org EducationUSA.state.gov

30. USG Funded Programs - • Fulbright Student Program is a non-degree program that brings student researchers to the United States for an academic semester or year; intended for independent library and/or field research toward a Master's or PhD degree. Students establish professional contacts in their field, enhance their scholarly work, and gain international experience and personal enrichment. • More info: http://sarajevo.usembassy.gov/fulbright-student.html • DEADLINE: June 25, 2012 EducationUSA.state.gov

31. USG Funded Programs, cont. • Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program 2013-2014brings scholars to the United States for up to one academic year of professional research with the goal of increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Fulbright scholars serve as cultural ambassadors and should be prepared to speak about their country, culture, and research to academic and community groups. More info: http://sarajevo.usembassy.gov/fulbright-visiting-scholar.html Application Deadline: November 1, 2012 EducationUSA.state.gov

32. USG Funded Programs, cont. • Hubert H. Humphrey Program 2013-2014brings accomplished mid-level professionals to the United States for 10-months of combined academic and professional work at selected U.S. universities.  Fellows are selected based on potential for leadership and commitment to public service. • Important: undergraduate or graduate degree and minimum 5 years of substantial professional experience; • More info: http://sarajevo.usembassy.gov/humphrey-fellowships.html • DEADLINE: September 1, 2012 EducationUSA.state.gov

33. USG Funded Programs, cont. • Junior Faculty Development Programprovides university instructors with an opportunity to experience teaching practices and curriculum development at universities in the United States.  The program allows fellows to spend one academic semester in the U.S.  Fellowships will be awarded to individuals in the humanities and social sciences. • Important: currently teaching at an institution of higher education in BiH and at least two (2) years of professional experience as a university lecturer or administrator; • More info: http://sarajevo.usembassy.gov/jfdp.html • DEADLINE: June 2012, TBD EducationUSA.state.gov

34. Programs that bring US scholarsto BiH • Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program intended for U.S. scholars to lecture and/or conduct research at institutions worldwide in a variety of academic disciplines, including TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language.) • The Fulbright U.S. Specialists Program awards short-term grants of two to six weeks to U.S. scholars and professionals to collaborate with professional counterparts at non-U.S. institutions of higher education worldwide. EducationUSA.state.gov

35. Programs that bring US scholarsto BiH cont. • U.S.Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (FETA) recent U.S. College graduates who are placed in English classrooms overseas generally underserved high schools, as resource persons, assisting teachers and conducting enhancement activities that support students' facility with the language and increase their understanding of U.S. society and culture. • English Language Specialist Program designed forAmerican experts in English teaching go overseas to work on specific, well-defined projects for periods ranging from two to 16 weeks. EducationUSA.state.gov

36. Programs that bring US scholarsto BiH cont. • English Language Fellow Program bringsAmerican expert educators in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) to local institutions overseas for 10 months. • The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) brings established or potential foreign leaders and opinion makers to the U.S. for two to three week programs to gain firsthand knowledge of U.S. policies, politics, society and culture, and offers a number of projects for officials and educators in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages every year. EducationUSA.state.gov

37. More info at: • Paša Lejlić 033 704 066 LejlicP@state.gov Elizabeta Delalić 033 704 099 DelalicE@state.gov EducationUSA.state.gov

38. Questions ?? Thank You And Good Luck EducationUSA.state.gov

39. EducationUSA.state.gov EducationUSA.state.gov