U.S. Department of State’s Near East & South Asia Scholarship Undergraduate Program 2012-2013

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State is currently inviting applications for Near East & South Asia (NESA) Scholarship Program 2012-13. This undergraduate exchange program is a part of Global UGRAD program started by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and offers scholarships to outstanding students from countries of the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. Scholarships are awarded for one-year of undergraduate, non-degree studies programs in the United States at a diverse network of accredited two- and four-year institutions.

Grant Provisions

If selected, the NESA UGRAD Program will cover a participant’s:

J-1 visa support;
Round-trip coach class travel from participant’s home city to host institution in the United States;
Health benefits;
Tuition and mandatory university fees (including required books and supplies);
Room and board (housing and meals);
Settling in allowance;
Monthly maintenance allowance; and
Other special allowances where applicable.

Eligibility Conditions

The competition is open to anyone who:

Is a citizen, national or permanent resident qualified to hold a valid passport issued by the country from which applicant is applying;
Is completing his/her final year of secondary school or enrolled in first-, second-, third-year fulltime undergraduate study at the time of application at a registered academic institution in his/her country and is in good academic standing.
Is between the ages of 18-25;
Is able to begin the academic exchange program in the United States in August 2012;
Is able to receive and maintain a J-1 visa;
Is committed to returning to his/her home country after completion of the program; and
Is proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application.