Monday, October 26, 2015

United States–South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP) in USA, 2016

Applications are invited for United States–South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP) available studies to begin in August 2016. Scholarships are awarded to pursue Master’s and Bachelor’s degree study at the University of Hawai‘i in fields that are directly relevant to the development needs of Pacific island countries. The Program will include a mentoring component with the possibility of a follow-on summer internship, and readily accessible opportunities for participation in host family and volunteer service programs.
Study Subject(s): Scholarships are awarded in fields that are directly relevant to the development needs of Pacific island countries. Priority areas of study include agriculture, business, communication/journalism, education, environmental studies, gender studies, NGO management, political science, public administration, public health, STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), and other related fields. If a desired field of study is not among the priorities, the applicant should give special attention to explaining how this course of study would support the goals of the scholarship program. Support is not available for professional degrees such as architecture, law, and medicine.
Course Level: Scholarships are available to pursue bachelor or master’s degree study at the University of Hawai‘i.
Scholarship Provider: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, USA
Scholarship can be taken at: USA
Eligibility:
-Bachelor’s Scholarship: Applicants must have completed secondary school by the deadline for submitting a university application for admission to their undergraduate program. In some countries this means having completed “Form 6.” In other countries, this may mean having completed “Grade 12.” Individuals who have completed some undergraduate level courses but have not obtained the equivalent of a U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree are also eligible and strongly encouraged to apply.
-Master’s Scholarship: Applicants must have completed at least a three-year baccalaureate program. Those with a three-year Bachelor’s degree may apply for a bridging program of up to one year, which upon completion allows for application to a master’s degree program. Master’s programs may not require a bridging component, depending on prior study and academic performance during the first year. The USSP program does not generally permit direct application and admission to a graduate degree program. Those who currently possess both a bachelor’s degree and a post-graduate diploma or honors degree, or will have earned a post-graduate diploma or honors degree before the scholarship’s August start date, are strongly encouraged to apply.
-Because an objective of the program is to provide an educational exchange experience to those not previously afforded such an opportunity, preference will usually be given to candidates who have not had recent extensive experience in the United States. Preference may also be given to candidates who have not had extensive opportunities for study at educational institutions outside the Pacific Islands region (i.e., outside the countries listed in paragraph one above).
Note: Individuals who have dual citizenship, one being that of the United States, are not eligible. U.S. non-citizen nationals and U.S. permanent residents are also not eligible for USSP. All scholarship recipients must be able to meet the requirements of the Exchange Visitor (J-1 visa) program.
Scholarship Open for International Students: Candidates from the following countries, who meet specific selection criteria, are eligible for the program: Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
Scholarship Description: The United States–South Pacific Scholarship Program, authorized by the U.S. Congress and funded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, is a competitive, merit-based scholarship program that provides opportunities for Master’s and Bachelor’s degree study at the University of Hawai‘i in fields that are directly relevant to the development needs of Pacific island countries. It will also enable the recipients to obtain a broader understanding of the United States. The scholarship program will include a mentoring component with a possible follow-on summer internship, and readily accessible opportunities for participation in host family and volunteer service programs.
Number of award(s): Three (3) Scholarships will be available for studies to begin in August 2016.
Duration of award(s): Awards are given initially for a one year period, but will be reviewed annually and may be extended up to a maximum of four years.
What does it cover? Scholarship recipients will receive the following:
-Tuition and fees payable to the University of Hawai‘i.
-Housing in a student residence hall.
-Monthly allowance for food, clothing, and incidental expenses.
-Health insurance in accordance with Exchange Visitor (J-1 visa) regulations.
-An initial settling-in allowance.
-An annual book allowance.
-Initial and terminal transportation to all official activity sites.
-A mentoring program with the possibility of a follow-on summer internship arranged.
This scholarship is subject to U.S. Federal government taxes as well as to State of Hawaii government taxes. Payment of taxes is the responsibility of the student.
Note: The USSP scholarship covers the costs of the scholarship recipients’ study, travel, and living expenses. The USSP scholarship does not cover any dependent (spouse or children) costs.
Selection Criteria: Selection will be made by a U.S.-based academic review committee that may include Pacific Islands and other specialists from the East-West Center, the University of Hawai‘i system, a representative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and a Pacific Islands student representative. In selecting scholarship awardees, the review committee will consider academic merit as well as other attributes including evidence of leadership potential and experience; community service; cross-cultural knowledge, experience and sensitivity; capacity for change; adaptability; ability to pursue independent study; career potential and employment history; English language proficiency; creativity; initiative; self-expression; and, anticipated kinds of post-graduation contributions to home country and region. Preference may be given to those with little or no previous U.S. or other international study experience.
Notification: Awards are expected to be announced on the East-West Center website by April 1, 2016.
How to Apply: Applications should be submitted via post, fax or email.
Application Form
Scholarship Application Deadline: The application deadline is February 1, 2016 for awards beginning in early August 2016.

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