EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program

EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of State. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

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and U.S. Embassies Regional Educational Advising Coordinators (REACs) Student Mobility Fact Sheets U.S. Higher Education Monthly Newsletter U.S. Government Resources And Guidance The U.S. Department of State The U.S. Department of Commerce The U.S. Department of Education The Federal Bureau of Investigation Department of Homeland Security U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) National Science Foundation (NSF) Foreign Institutions and Governments Understanding U.S. Higher Education International Student Visas Regional Education Advising Coordinators (REACs) Washington D.

C. and U.S. Embassies U.S. Events Sponsored by Education Associations Non-EducationUSA Overseas International Events Partnering with U.S. Universities EducationUSA offers a variety of international student programs that include engagement opportunities for U.S. higher education professionals.

Opportunity Funds Program The EducationUSA Opportunity Funds program strengthens American communities and classrooms by assisting highly qualified international students who are likely to be awarded full financial aid from U.S. colleges and universities but lack the financial resources to cover the up-front costs to apply, such as testing, application fees, or airfare.

The model supports economic prosperity by ensuring that the United States can attract top talent to U.S. higher education institutions. The program also attracts highly resourced students to U.S. colleges and universities, building more prosperous communities. International education is a billion-dollar industry that establishes global relations in critical sectors such as business, diplomacy, and security for years to come.

In addition to academic abilities, Opportunity Funds students strengthen the global competitiveness of Americans whose knowledge and understanding of the world grows through engagement with international students on U.S. campuses. Each Opportunity Funds student undergoes a selective process of evaluation by an EducationUSA adviser, Regional Manager (REAC) and the Public Affairs Section of a U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

More than 150 colleges and universities have enrolled Opportunity Funds students since 2006. MOOC Camps are facilitated discussions around massive open online courses (MOOCs), Open Courseware, and other free online courses. They are hosted at U.S. embassies, consulates, American Spaces , and in other public venues around the world.

Facilitated discussions are led by alumni who have participated in U.S. government exchange programs, such as the Fulbright program , and/or by U.S. embassy/consulate staff who are familiar with the course materials and volunteer their time. U.S. embassies and consulates in more than 60 countries are currently participating in MOOC Camps with subjects ranging from entrepreneurship and college writing to science and technology.

Course content is drawn from major MOOC providers, including Coursera , EdX , and Udacity as well as from multiple Open CourseWare providers. EducationUSA Training Institutes EducationUSA facilitates several training institutes in the United States for EducationUSA advisers. Each two-week EducationUSA Training Institute comprises a Washington, D.

C. -based workshop, with sessions at the U.S. Department of State, and campus-based training. The campus-based training week offers a unique opportunity for U.S. institutions to bring a group of EducationUSA advisers directly to their campuses.

Competitive College Clubs EducationUSA Competitive College Clubs (CCC) are cohort-based advising programs that help the best and brightest students apply to competitive U.S. colleges and universities. CCC advisers work intensively to prepare students for the application process. CCCs are open to students in grades 8-11 who are in the top 10% of their class.

CCC advisers organize student activities, including study groups, intensive SAT and ACT preparation, reading assignments, lectures, and community service projects. Students sign a contract detailing their responsibilities, which include attending all meetings during the school year and summer sessions.

While there are no guarantees that a CCC student will be accepted to a U.S. college or university, this intensive group advising provides extra support for motivated, high-performing students. Some CCC students also qualify for the Opportunity Funds program. EducationUSA advisers also work with CCC students to develop an alternative education plan in case studying in the United States does not work out for them.

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