USA Opportunity Funds Program

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The United States Embassy, Nigeria is calling for applications from academically qualified, highly motivated, low-income students for the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP).

OFP’s mission is to assist talented and determined, low-income students who are good candidates for financial assistance from U.S. colleges and universities but lack the financial resources to cover the up-front cost of obtaining admission.
OFP works closely with students through regularly scheduled meetings and seminars to assist them throughout the application process to secure admission and scholarships to attend colleges and universities in the United States. OFP finances the cost of the application process, including registration fees for required standardized examinations and provides free membership to the U.S. EducationUSA Advising Center for its participants. 
Participants will work with EducationUSA Advisors from June 2017 – August 2018 to try to secure places and financial assistance to begin study in the U.S. in August 2018.

HOW TO APPLY

OFP is accepting applications from prospective undergraduates and graduate students.
Send an email to AbujaEducationusa@state.gov or LagosEducationusa@state.gov requesting an electronic undergraduate or graduate application form.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The selection of finalists for OFP is based on; 
  • Strong academic record/ transcript
  • Robust participation in extracurricular activities
  • Involvement in leadership roles
  • Excellent community service participation
  • Financial Need 

Requirements

  • Academic Results:
    Undergraduate Applicants– Attach a copy of your WAEC “O” Level results (from WAEC website).  Include Cambridge A’Level or IGSCE results if applicable or available.
    Graduate Applicants– Attach a copy of your Final year results and degree results (if available) First Class only (STEM majors preferred).
  • Letters of recommendation:
    Undergraduate Applicants: Request a teacher or your school principal to complete a letter of recommendation form, attesting to your character, talent, and skills.  Please do not include a basic testimonial that does not talk about you as an individual.
    Graduate Applicants: Provide the details of a lecturer, professor, or Head of Department (HOD) that we can contact to find out more about you.
  • Transcript:
    Undergraduate Applicants: Send a scanned copy of your transcript from JS1 to SS3 including your mock and first term results, if possible.
    Graduate Applicants– Send a scanned copy of your transcripts that show a GPA of 4.5 or above on a 5.0 scale. 
  • Essays:
    Write two essays, one from Group A and one from Group B, each of about 250– 300 words. The essay topics will be on the application form you receive. (Essay topics will be found on the form)
Send a scanned copy of any relevant supplementary certificates of achievement
APPLICATION DEADLINE- JUNE 16, 2017.
For more information, please see HERE

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