Opportunity Fund Colombia 2021-22
Please read the complete information below regarding the program and the application process.  Applications and all supplemental materials are due by March 15, 2021.  This call is for applicants interested in Master's and doctoral studies in the US.  If you have questions, please contact EducationUSA at  opportunityfundcolombia@gmail.com.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM AND THE APPLICATION
OPPORTUNITY FUND PROGRAM COLOMBIA 2021-22

The EducationUSA Opportunity Fund Program, supported by the U.S. Department of State, assists highly qualified students who are likely to be awarded full financial support from accredited U.S. universities but who do not have the financial resources to cover the up-front costs related to applying and obtaining admission.  Over the course of approximately one year, selected students work closely with an EducationUSA adviser and with the cohort of other Opportunity Fund students to prepare and submit applications to up to eight U.S. universities where they have a strong chance of receiving a full scholarship from the university to cover tuition and living expenses.

This year, the Opportunity Fund Program in Colombia is for applicants interested in graduate degree programs (Master's or doctorate) in any area of study except clinical medicine.  It is not for students looking to enroll in undergraduate studies, short-term exchange programs, intensive English, or other types of study.  This current call is for students who plan to start their graduate programs in the fall semester of 2022.  This program offers advising services and financial support for students in order to complete the application process to U.S. universities; however, this program does not guarantee acceptance into or scholarships from universities in the U.S.  


COSTS COVERED BY THE PROGRAM

The Opportunity Fund Program can cover the following types of expenses, as determined necessary by the EducationUSA Advising team and by the progress and individual circumstances of the student:
- Standardized exams (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo, GRE, as applicable), test logistics, and score reports
- Application fees to U.S. institutions
- Translations and administrative costs related to documents required for the admissions process
- Travel costs within Colombia (to present exams and/or apply for visa)
- Visa and SEVIS fees
- Air ticket to U.S.
- Settling-in allowance in the U.S.
-      Immunizations and additional pre-travel expenses

*NOTE: Opportunity funding cannot be used to cover university tuition.


ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the Opportunity Fund Program, the student must meet the following requirements:
- Citizen or legal permanent resident of Colombia (US citizens/permanent residents are NOT eligible for the program)
- Financial need
- Strong level of English (after the pre-selection process, students may need to present an English exam to complete the Opportunity Fund approval process)
- Academic excellence, ideally with teaching/research experience
- Commitment to pursue a graduate degree in the U.S., starting studies in August/September 2022 (if accepted and awarded full financial support from the U.S. institution and/or other sources)
- Commitment to work closely with an EducationUSA Adviser and participate in all virtual and in-person advising sessions

Successful applicants will be highly qualified students with outstanding grades, extremely strong spoken and written English, demonstrated teaching/research experience, and limited financial resources to pay for the cost of the application process to universities in the U.S.  Priority will be given to applicants who already have an undergraduate degree or applications who will obtain their undergraduate degree in 2021.


APPLICATION PROCEDURES

1. Complete this Google application form in English.  Applications completed in Spanish will not be considered.
2. After completing the Google application form, send an email to opportunityfundcolombia@gmail.com with the following documents as attachments:
     a. Copy of utility bill/receipt from where you live, showing your "estrato"
     b. Copy of cedula
     c.       Transcripts (list of courses and grades) from your university studies (in Spanish).  
              i. This document can be an unofficial copy or screenshots from your school online platform.

The deadline for submitting your application and supplemental documents is March 15, 2021.  Remember that in order for your application to be complete, you must submit this completed Google Form and you must submit the required documents via email.

The Opportunity Fund Program is administered by EducationUSA Colombia, a program of the U.S. Department of State.  For more information, please visit www.educationusa.state.gov or contact opportunityfundcolombia@gmail.com.  
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Full name (first and last names) *
Cedula number *
Citizenship (choose all that apply) *
Required
Birthdate *
MM
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DD
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Phone number *
Email address *
Home address *
City and country where you currently live *
Have you ever been to the United States?  If so, please write the approximate dates of your trip(s) and the reason(s) for travel.
Have you ever been to the other countries (besides Colombia and the United States)?  If so, please write the countries, approximate dates of your trip(s), and the reason(s) for travel.
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
Name of and city of undergraduate university in Colombia
What is/was your major (carrera)?
If you have not graduated, what is your current semester of university studies?  
If you have finished your university studies, please write the month and year of your graduation.
GPA (Grade Point Average, or "promedio academico")
If applicable: additional university/program of study (for example, additional undergraduate degree, especializacion, diplomado, Master's).  Write the degree type, area of study, name of institution, and date of completion.
If applicable: additional university/program of study (for example, additional undergraduate degree, especializacion, diplomado, Master's).  Write the degree type, area of study, name of institution, and date of completion.
If applicable: additional university/program of study (for example, additional undergraduate degree, especializacion, diplomado, Master's).  Write the degree type, area of study, name of institution, and date of completion.
Describe any volunteering, extracurricular activities, clubs, music, sports, etc. (It is only necessary to mention activities after high school. Please note that these can be activities that  you do as part of an organization or activities that you on your own.)
Describe any academic distinctions or awards that you have won for academic performance or research.
Describe any research that you have done during or after your undergraduate studies.
Describe any teaching experience (paid or unpaid) that you have done during or after your undergraduate studies.
Describe any additional awards either in school or outside of school for any activities.  This can be any achievements you are proud of, formal or informal, here.
Have you won any scholarships?  If so, please describe.
INFORMATION ABOUT FUTURE U.S. STUDIES
Intended level of study in the U.S. *
Intended area of study *
If you have already began to look for universities, list the institutions in which you are interested in the U.S.
Have you started or completed any applications to graduate programs in the U.S. or in any other country?
Clear selection
If you answered yes to the previous question, please describe.
EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION
Leave this section blank if you are not currently working and have never worked in the past.
Current job title and company/employer
Start date
MM
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DD
/
YYYY
Income per month (COP)
Previous job title and company/employer
Start date
MM
/
DD
/
YYYY
End date
MM
/
DD
/
YYYY
Income per month (COP)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE INFORMATION
Have you have taken any English proficiency exams (for example, TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, Cambridge, M-EPT, OOPT, etc)?
Clear selection
If yes, please list the English exam(s), your score(s), and date taken.
Where have you studied English (in school, at the Colombo, at a private institute, on your own, etc)?  For how many years have you studied?
How would you rate your own level of English in SPEAKING
Clear selection
How would you rate your own level of English in LISTENING
Clear selection
How would you rate your own level of English in READING
Clear selection
How would you rate your own level of English in WRITING
Clear selection
FAMILY AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
In your current living situation, who else is living with you in the same house or apartment? *
What is your mother’s job, and what is her approximate salary per month (COP)?  If she does not currently work, please state that in the space provided.
What is your father’s job, and what is his approximate salary per month (COP)?  If he does not currently work, please state that in the space provided.
If you live with a spouse/partner, what is his/her job and approximate salary per month (COP)?
List the expenses that you normally pay during an average month (type of expense and amount in COP).
Has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your financial situation?  Please describe.
Describe anything else that you would like us to know about your current financial situation.
ESSAYS
Your responses to the essays must be a maximum of 250 words per essay.
Why do you want to study in the United States? *
What do you want to study, and why did you choose that area of study? *
What do you believe is your greatest achievement and why? *
E-SIGNATURE
Type your full name in the space provided.

Al poner sus datos aquí en este formulario consiente y autoriza de manera expresa e inequívoca a EducationUSA que se encuentra dentro del Centro Colombo Americano, identificado con NIT 860.010.554-1, domiciliado en Bogotá D.C., para que se incluya y se use la información que estoy suministrando de acuerdo con su Política de Tratamiento de Datos Personales. La cual puede ser consultada en: http://bit.ly/politicas-col
By typing my name in the space below, I certify that all information in this form is correct and I am the person completing this application.  I confirm that I will send the additional required documents via email by the deadline of March 15, 2021. *
How did you find out about Opportunity Fund? *
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