Application Deadline: November 30th 2015
As part of the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship Program, the Tunisia Undergraduate Scholarship Program (Tunisia UGRAD) builds the workforce capacity of a diverse group of youth leaders from across all regions of Tunisia. The program provides participants with a deeper understanding of American culture and new globally-applicable skills and expertise to help them contribute to the economic growth and development of their country.
Through year-long programs of study in the U.S., exploration of American culture, community service, and professional internships, Thomas Jefferson scholars develop a broad and nuanced understanding of U.S. values and become 21st century global citizens prepared to contribute to the economic growth and development of Tunisia. The Tunisia Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State.
Eligibility Requirements
Technical Eligibility Requirements
• Is a citizen, national or permanent resident qualified to hold a valid passport issued by the government of Tunisia;
• Is enrolled as a first- or second-year full-time undergraduate (Licence) student in good academic standing at the time of application at a registered academic institution in Tunisia;
• Architecture students are eligible in their first-, second-, third, or fourth-year of study. Engineering students are eligible in their first-, or second-year (preparatory classes), and third- and fourth-year of undergraduate study; o If you study at an ISSAT (Institut Supérieur des Sciences Appliquées et de Technologie) please see the Tunisia Community College Scholarship Program application.
• Is currently residing in Tunisia;
• Is able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa;
• Is at least 18 years old by July 1, 2016;
• Is committed to returning to Tunisia after completion of the program; and
• Is able to achieve a TOEFL score of 500 or likely to achieve this score after short-term pre-academic English training in the United States prior to the start of the academic year.
- J-1 visa support;
- Round-trip travel from participant’s home city to host institution in the United States;
- Accident and sickness coverage;
- Tuition and mandatory university fees;
- Room and board (housing and meals);
- Small incidentals allowance;
- Limited allowance for books; and
- A wide variety of alumni networking and training opportunities.
- Tunisia UGRAD is conducted as a merit-based open competition. After the deadline, all eligible applications will be reviewed by a panel of academic specialists. Chosen semi- finalists will be interviewed in Tunisia by a bi-national committee of U.S. specialists,USG alumni, and/or U.S. Embassy representatives, and must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in early 2016.
- All applicants will be notified of their status in spring 2016.
- Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):
- Academic excellence;
- Expressed commitment to contribute to Tunisia’s economic development;
- Demonstrated leadership potential and commitment to community engagement;
- Proficiency in written and spoken English;
- Flexibility and adaptability as an exchange student; and
- Minimum TOEFL of 500 PBT or ability to achieve a 500 following short-term intensive English language training.
- Preference will be given to students that represent disadvantaged and underrepresented communities.
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