Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Scholarships 101 Graduate Programs Sunshine Ison Cultural Attaché Officer Paša Lejlić, Academic Exchange Coordinator Elizabeta Delalić, Cultural and Educational Specialist Aleksandra Popović, EducationUSA adviser

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Study in the US 720,000+ International Students 2010/11 Academic Year Asia Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Oceania

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov About EducationUSA Supported by U.S. State Department Accurate, Comprehensive, Impartial & Timely Information Hundreds of Centers in 170 countries

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Basics contd Science and Engineering majors have higher chances Undergrad vs. Grad Master’s vs. PhDs Public vs. Private Fall vs. Spring

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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Basics contd % 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Four Steps to Financing your Education 1)Assess your personal and family funds 2)Identify eligibility requirements for scholarships 3)Compile effective applications 4)Reduce education costs

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Types of Scholarship Generally 3 Types –Fellowships –Assistantships –Grants

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Types of Scholarship contd. Assistantships  Not just employment relationship  Integral and important part of grad education  Grant ranges from $5K to $30K per year with hrs. of work per week.

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Ways to Reduce Cost of Attendance 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Scholarship Myths Scholarship with high TOEFL/ IELTS scores High GRE is automatic scholarship Int. student scholarship/ Diversity Scholarship Working outside

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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.

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Tests: GRE Graduate Record Exam 3 sections: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing Score: 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Tests: GMAT Graduate Management Admission Test 3 sections: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing Assessment Score: , 1-6 on AWA Computer-Based: offered twice a month Cost $250 Study Guides available at Advising Center Go to for detailswww.mba.com.

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Tests: iBT TOEFL 4 sections, integrated: speaking, reading, listening, writing Score scale 0-120; minimum expected score: 80 See for detailswww.ets.org/toefl Costs: $180.

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Resources: Online EducationUSA.info

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Contacts Aleksandra Popović, EducationUSA student adviser

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov 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: student.htmlhttp://sarajevo.usembassy.gov/fulbright- student.html DEADLINE: June 25, 2012

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov USG Funded Programs, cont. Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program brings 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: visiting-scholar.html Application Deadline: November 1, 2012

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov USG Funded Programs, cont. Hubert H. Humphrey Program brings 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: fellowships.htmlhttp://sarajevo.usembassy.gov/humphrey- fellowships.html DEADLINE: September 1, 2012

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov USG Funded Programs, cont. Junior Faculty Development Program provides 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: DEADLINE: June 2012, TBD

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Programs that bring US scholars to 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.

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Programs that bring US scholars to 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 for American experts in English teaching go overseas to work on specific, well-defined projects for periods ranging from two to 16 weeks.

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Programs that bring US scholars to BiH cont. English Language Fellow Program brings American 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.

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov More info at: Paša Lejlić Elizabeta Delalić

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov Questions ?? Thank You And Good Luck

Your Official Source on U.S. Higher Education EducationUSA.state.gov