The Fullbright-Scholarships USA
The Fullbright Scholarships USA program is an educational exchange program funded by the US Government and administered by two-member Fulbright commissions or US embassies. The program aims in particular to improve the relationship between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.
The Fulbright program provides successful applicants with the opportunity to study, teach, and conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to shared global issues. In addition, grants are available for U.S. citizens to study abroad and for non-U.S. citizens with no permanent residency to study in the U.S. What’s more, approximately 4,000 international students receive Fulbright scholarships annually.
Furthermore, as stated above, the bi-national Fulbright commissions or US embassies handle the administration of the Fullbright scholarships in the USA. Consequently, the same organizations in different countries also process your bursary application.
This scholarship is only offered for Ph.D. and master’s studies. Fulbright Offshore Student Program covers full tuition fees, a living allowance, full accommodation fee, airline tickets, and medical insurance.
These scholarships are sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, which is the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program. It aims to promote mutual understanding between countries through cultural and educational exchanges. The awards are given regardless of race, national origin, gender, age, color, religion, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
The Fulbright Scholarship Program aims to provide different groups of people with the opportunity to study in American institutions of learning. The scholarships are awarded to people from economically disadvantaged groups, minorities, and those from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
Since 1946, the United States has offered Fulbright scholarships to thousands of foreign students in 155 countries. This is to help artists, and young and talented foreign students continue their studies at United States universities and conduct world-class research in the United States.
The main types of Fulbright scholarships
Fulbright Scholarships are merit-based scholarships that provide up to two to five years of funding for graduate and Ph.D. studies at a U.S. university. To this day, AMIDEAST continues to support numerous Fulbright students for the opportunity to exchange and complete their awards in the United States.
For more than four decades, students from across the MENA region have been placed by universities in the United States through AMIDEAST. It was an integral part of the success of the Fulbright program as a convener of academic and cultural exchanges and dialogue.
Although, different countries do not always offer the same Fulbright grant opportunities. Nevertheless, there are usually three (3) main types of Fulbright scholarships. These include the following:
- Foreign Student Program: This scholarship program offers international graduates, professionals, and artists the opportunity to study, conduct research, or teach their native language in U.S. institutions.
- Postgraduate Scholarship: This is the type of scholarship offered to graduate students to study or do research at a university in the United States.
- Visiting Scholarship: Fulbright enables foreign scholars to conduct postdoctoral research in a U.S. institution through their Visiting Scholarship Award.
- Foreign Language Teaching Assistant: Contemporary English as a foreign language teacher can teach their native language in the United States through this scholarship. Although this particular scholarship is not available everywhere. However, verification can be downloaded here, if your country offers the Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program.
Fulbright Scholarships for U.S. Citizens
- Fulbright American Student Program: U.S. graduate students, young professionals, and artists have the opportunity to study English, conduct research, or teach English abroad through this U.S.-funded program.
- Fulbright US Scholar Program: Through this program, the U.S. government sponsors American scholars, artists, and professionals abroad to give lectures or conduct research for one year.
You can find the list of all the Fullbright scholarship programs for American citizens here by downloading
What is the value of the Fullbright scholarships in the USA?
The bursaries are usually awarded to the applicants for six (6) months or one (1) academic year. The Fulbright Scholarships usually cover all or part of the costs for return tickets, food, accommodation, tuition fees, medical insurance, and the visa fee.
The allowance also covers allowances for the establishment, a monthly allowance, housing, books and supplies, and a computer. The scholarship also applies to basic university health insurance as a primary insurance cover and the Fulbright ASPE health benefit as a secondary cover.
Regardless of the specific program, you may be following. With this scholarship, you can experience life in the United States and enjoy the unique culture and traditions you encounter.
What is the eligibility for the Fullbright Scholarship USA?
As the scholarship is available in approximately 155 countries, the requirements will also vary. As a result, your visit can be downloaded here to find information about the Fulbright Scholarship Program specifically for your home country.
The countries eligible for the Fullbright Scholarship are East Asia-Pacific Europe, Eurasia Middle East, North Africa, South, and Central Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. However, if you do not land on the website, it means that you are not eligible to apply.
To be eligible for an award:
- Applicants must be nationals of eligible countries or permanent residents who have a valid passport issued by their government.
- It is compulsory to complete undergraduate education and have a degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in their country.
- Applicants must have an excellent academic record and prove a high level of English proficiency through an official test (mostly TOEFL).
- Applicants must be highly motivated and committed to returning to their home countries after the program.
- For this scholarship program, preference is given to applicants with no study history in the USA
note: The Fullbright Award does not cover travel of dependents for applicants who have spouses and children. The granting of this grant must therefore understand that the scholarship applies only to them.
Please also visit here to find out more about the requirements for the Fulbright Scholarship Program specific to your own country.
What fields of study are available? for Fullbright Scholarship?
The Fullbright bursary program is available for the following fields of study:
- Science
- Engineering
- Technology
- Art
- Journalism, public relations, media studies
- Agriculture, Food Science
- Economy
- Environmental Science
- International relations
- Political Science
- Public administration/policy
- Public health
- tourism
It is very competitive to apply for any of the Fullbright scholarships as mentioned previously. Especially in the fields of journalism, communication, business administration, science, and engineering.
However, do not be discouraged. Rather prepare your application with all the necessary documents attached and give it the best chance.
Also, check out the study fields that are available for citizens in your country to download here.
How to Apply for Fullbright Scholarship USA 2022-2023
The Fullbright Scholarship USA is an extremely competitive and earnings-based awards program. Therefore, it is crucial to make a strong application that is error-free and contains the necessary details.
So, to submit your online application, it will include a well-written Research Objective and professional CV. Other requirements for your application are also listed below;
- Add three (3) reference letters and submit them that clearly show your personal, academic, and professional background to the online application.
- Attach the student copy of academic transcripts from each postgraduate institution you have attended to the online application.
- Include your TOEFL score report
- You must also forward the physical copies of official academic transcripts from your higher institution
Please follow the following step-by-step application procedure to apply for the Fulbright Scholarship 2022/2023:
(1) Apply online
To apply, you must compile a variety of materials to help the USEFP assess your qualifications. All materials must be submitted with your application.
(2) Prepare academic transcripts and degrees
All transcripts and degrees of a 4-year undergraduate degree or the equivalent thereof – equivalent programs include international three-year bachelor’s programs or ACCA, must be submitted. Ph.D. applicants must also submit their MS or MPhil degrees and transcripts. Provided that you have obtained your degree, you can also apply during your last year of undergraduate study.
The USEFP views your GPA and transcripts from a holistic perspective. They look at where you went for your training, the courses you studied, and your performance in individual courses. They also state that different universities have different grading systems. Although most successful Fulbright students have strong undergraduate records, there is no minimum GPA to apply.
(3) Take GRE General Test and TABLE
If you submit your application, you can report your official score if you received it or the unofficial GRE score is given on the day of the test. Every applicant is required to request that ETS send an official score report directly to USEFP using code 9388. This is because GRE requires general (international) test marks during the application. A proper score for Engineering and Sciences on the GRE is 315+ and that for other fields is 310+. A GRE subject test is not required.
The minimum GRE score required to apply for the Fulbright is 136 for quantitative and 138 for verbal. But in general, accepted applicants have a GRE score in the top percentiles, and you can report your best score if you take the GRE test multiple times. Fulbright just looks at the score. TOEFL is NOT required at the time of submission of the application and IELTS is not acceptable. You only have to write the TOEFL exam if you are summoned for an interview.
(4) Prepare two essays
There are two essays for the Fulbright application, and each essay must be written in the space provided in the application form, which contains approximately 800 words. Before you start writing your essays, you need to come up with a marketing strategy yourself. It generally takes successful applicants 4-6 weeks to write and complete their essays.
(5) Three letters of recommendation are required
Three recommendations must be submitted with your application by the deadline for your application. it can be 3 academic reference letters, or 2 academic and 1 professional, or 2 professional and 1 academic. In other words, 1 academic reference letter is a must. Your judges must fill in the reference forms in the application package and then sign, stamp, and seal in an envelope. When you submit your online application, your judges will receive an online form via email.
Your judges can be former employers, teachers, or researchers.
(6) Prepare an academic CV
A current and accurate CV must be added in the space provided on the application form. You do not have to have it in a special format.
(7) Submit an online application
Applications must be submitted online and there is no application fee for the Fulbright program.
(8) Maintenance
After your written application has been submitted and reviewed, you may be called for a panel interview. Decisions on interviews are made by mid-September and interviews are conducted in October. If you have not heard from USEFP by October, it simply means that you have not been selected. Although the interview is a positive indication of selection, it is not a guarantee of admission. Interviews last 15 to 30 minutes and are conducted by a panel of 4 people. Your TOEFL registration certificate must be taken with you on the day of the interview and it is not compulsory to write the TOEFL examination on the date of the interview.
Visit the official website (link below) and the country-specific websites for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.
Please also visit your country-specific websites to find the exact and more information about the Fulbright Scholarship USA application for your country.
DEDUCTION
If you are looking for the opportunity to study further and experience the cultural diversity in the USA, you should have found it in this article through the information we shared about the Fullbright Scholarship USA 2022-2023. We hope you enjoyed reading it.
