Key details:
- Host: U.S Embassy
- Host Country: USA
- Open to: Nigerians
- Targets: Undergraduates, Graduates
- Deadline: 31st May, 2021
Applications for the 2021/2022 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) for young Nigerians is currently ongoing.
About Opportunity Funds Program
In Nigeria, there are many talented and determined low-income students who only need financial resources and access to information to improve their educational prospects. The United States Embassy in Nigeria is looking for academically qualified and highly motivated low-income students in Nigeria to participate in the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program (OFP) for the 11th year.
OFP’s mission is to help talented and determined low-income students who are eligible for financial aid from U.S. colleges and universities but lack the financial resources to cover the upfront cost of admission.
OFP works closely with students through regular meetings and seminars to help them secure admission and scholarships to colleges and universities across the United States and covers the cost of the application process, including registration fees for required standardized exams, as well as providing free membership to the United States EducationUSA Advising Center to its participants.
Also read: The RIBA Norman Travelling Scholarship 2021
OFP anticipates a genuine commitment from students to devote their time and energy to the program in order to realize their dreams of studying in the United States.
Opportunity Funds Program Eligibility Criteria
Applicants are welcome from all the states in Nigeria. However, students must be able to reach our offices in Abuja or Lagos on a monthly basis during the program for full participation. Participants will work with our EducationUSA Advisors from June 2021 – August 2022 to try to secure places and financial assistance to begin study in the U.S. in August 2021.
- Complete Application Form
- 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)
Selection Process
- Strong academic record/ transcript
- Robust participation in extracurricular activities
- Involvement in leadership roles
- Excellent community service participation
- Financial Need
NOTE: Undergraduate Applicants– If WAEC results are not available; the student must be currently in SS3. If WAEC results are available, they must be from May/June WAEC.
Opportunity Fund Program Application Procedure
Interested candidates can apply here
For more information visit the official website of the Opportunity Funds Program
For enquiries send an email to AbujaEducationusa@state.gov or LagoseducationUSA@state.gov