TOP TEN (10) SCHOLARSHIP IN USA
From the on going series on SCHOLARSHIP ACROSS BORDERS, I wish to let our numerous reader have access to the list of the all the top ten scholarship across all borders. Our focus will be on the top ten scholarship in United State of America, when and how to apply for it.
1. Fulbright Scholarship
5 Things You Probably didn’t Know About the Fulbright
The Fulbright program is a great
scholarship opportunity for U.S. citizens who would like to study abroad in
Europe for example. In this article you will learn all details about the
complicated list of eligibility, application, and proposal requirements that will
give you a better idea of whether the Fulbright is right for you.
NOTE: Don’t worry if you are not
eligible! There various other opportunities and more than 16 billion Euros
worth of scholarship opportunities available for studying in Europe every year!
Check them out on http://scholarship.admission.guides.com
What
is a Fulbright?
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of
State and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), the
Fulbright program began in 1946 with the aim to increase the mutual understanding
between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries. Currently
operating in more than 155 countries worldwide, the program awards 1,700 grants
per year that sponsor various kinds of research and teaching opportunities
abroad.
1.)
155 Different Fulbright Programs
The Fulbright application, the
process, and program depend entirely on the country. Fulbrighters often say
that there are effectively 155 different Fulbright programs because the
variation between them all is so great. This means that you must carefully
consider which country you are going to choose, your reasoning for this choice,
and then you must thoroughly examine the procedure for that specific country
before you apply.
2.)
Four Different Types
Most people dont realize that
Fulbrights actually fall into four different categories (three of which
function similarly). The way I divide them below is slightly different from the
manner in which theyre organized on the Fulbright website, but if youre curious
about their layout, click here.
- Study/Research Grant:
The broadest of all, the study/research grant provides funds for academic
research abroad in any discipline and is open to both students and
professionals of any age. What sets the study/research option apart from
other programs is the lack of a determined final requirement. Basically,
you will not be expected to produce a paper or make a presentation at the
end. This is not to say that those at IIE and the Fulbright program,
specific to your country of choice, have no expectations. You will be
asked to complete a mid-term and final report, and you will be held to a
very high standard of community engagement throughout your stay. Although
the Fulbright program prides itself on the flexibility that it gives to
its scholars providing the space and resources for them to go where the
experience takes them without a rigid itinerary it also emphasizes the
fact that this scholarship is not about the individual, it is about the
individuals interactions with his/her surroundings.
- Creative and Performing Arts Grant: If you are less of a scholar and more of a performer,
the Fulbright can still be a means for you to live abroad while studying
the art you love. Within the general category of Creative/Performing Arts,
you can propose a project that focuses on music (mtvU), dance,
photography, creative writing, filmmaking, or whatever your area of study
may be.
- Specialized Grant:
There are a number of specialized grants. Theyre unique both in terms of
subject and country. For example, you can apply for a specialized grant in
journalism, business, or the sciences; for example you can apply to study
the Irish language in Ireland instead of proposing a research topic of
your own creation.
- English Teaching Assistantship: While the first three kinds of grants are all similar
in that they necessitate independent research, the English Teaching
Assistantship does not. Instead, the focus is education. The I.I.E. highly
stresses the difference between the three grants listed above and the ETA
Fulbright, where your focus will be on the classroom. It is important to
note that:
(a) Your roll will be that of a teachers assistant. (b) The ETA still places a lot of importance on community engagement and expects you to independently participate in academic or community service projects.
3.)
The Affiliation
If you apply for a study/research
grant, it is vital that you find an educational institution or another
sponsoring entity to be your affiliation, even if you are planning mainly
independent research and travel. One of the most challenging parts of the
Fulbright application may be finding someone to sponsor you. What exactly
constitutes an affiliation? How do you even begin looking for one? For answers
to these questions and advice on the affiliation in general, check out my
second article.
If you apply for an English Teaching
Assistantship, on the other hand, you dont need to worry about finding an
affiliation. This may sound nice in the context of the application process (one
less box on that checklist), but be sure to think about what it will mean for
your time abroad. The Fulbright program of your country will set you up with
your affiliation, meaning you will have less control over who/what your
affiliation is, and therefore where youll be living/traveling/etc. There are
pros and cons to either type of Fulbright (research oriented or teacher
oriented), but if you choose an ETA, be prepared to be flexible when it comes
to the affiliation.
4.)
When is it Best to Apply?
Your age may affect the application
process in several ways depending on your level of education and work
experience you will be eligible for different kinds of grants.
But for those of you who are
preparing to finish, or who recently finished your undergraduate degree, the
most important factor to think about is the Fulbright Program Adviser (FPA).
The FPA is an on-campus adviser associated with your school and, according to
IIE, a huge resource. Is it better to apply for a Fulbright during your final
year of undergraduate school, so you can utilize the FPA for all s/he is worth?
Fulbright alumni and representatives alike told me that, in general, FPAs are
always willing to help even after you have graduated. The extent to which you
can use the FPA back on campus after you have graduated depends on your school
and your relationship to your FPA.
And dont worry about applying before
you graduate just because you think it will up your chances. Whether you apply
through your school, or after you graduate under the at-large category, will
not affect your chances of acceptance.
5.)
Eligibility Requirements
In order to apply for a Fulbright,
you must first meet a few eligibility requirements:
- U.S. Citizenship (If youre not American, check out the
Fulbright for Foreign Students or the Fulbright for Non-U.S. Scholars
Program)
- Hold at least a B.A.
- Possess proficient language skills relevant to your
country of choice.
- You are not eligible if you have completed your P.H.D.
research, but you may apply if you are in the midst of a P.H.D. program.
- With more specific or specialized Fulbrights, there are
specialized requirements
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