Scholarships and Financial Aid News at U.S. Universities

Weekly update on scholarship and financial aid available for students pursuing higher education opportunities in the United States. Financial Aid UG: Northern State University WolfPACT Scholarships UG: Bridgewater State University Merit-Based Scholarships UG: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Partial Tuition Remission Scholarships UG/Grad: Wayne State University Departmental Scholarships and Fellowships Grad: Heidelberg University MBA Scholarship Grad: Northeastern University Assistantships Grad: Rutgers University Fellowships, Assistantships, and Scholarships II. Campus News • Smith College's American College Immersion Program • Siena Heights University Teacher Education, Educational Leadership Receive Accreditation from TEAC • Monmouth College New Science Center • Number of International Students at Arizona State University Increases by 16% • Watch Now! The Step 5 Webinar Series       I. Financial Aid NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY WOLFPACT SCHOLARSHIPS Welcome to Northern State University, a school that has been recognized nationally as one of the most affordable institutions in the Midwest. Since its inception in 1901, NSU has been dedicated to providing a superior education. At NSU, you’ll be more than just a number. You will belong. Be you. Be us. Be Northern. Northern State University's WolfPACT Scholarship is the largest guaranteed scholarship in South Dakota. NSU is offering more money to college students when they need it the most! The WolfPACT program is simple. It is for new freshman undergraduates and is based on ACT or SAT scores. This scholarship is worth up to $12,000 per academic year, which would bring the total cost of tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, and health insurance to only $6,000 per academic year at Northern! For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/10dgXaZ       BRIDGEWATER STATE UNIVERSITY MERIT-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS Bridgewater State University has high expectations – of our students, our region, and the institution itself. Our goal is to provide outstanding growth opportunities and learning experiences that will transform lives. Bridgewater is pleased to offer a number of merit scholarships – ranging from a $500 award to full coverage of tuition and fees – as well as more than 70 different institutional scholarships and awards. For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/10IHgBD UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN OSHKOSH PARTIAL TUITION REMISSION SCHOLARSHIPS Among the largest public universities in the state, UW Oshkosh is committed to providing students with a broad knowledge base and transferable skills as well as a strong sense of values and ethics that prepares them for civic leadership in society. International students applying to the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh can complete this scholarship application at the same time that they complete the application process to request admission to the university. Students must be admitted to UW Oshkosh in order to be considered for an International Student Partial Tuition Remission Scholarship. Scholarship awards will be determined after the admissions decision is made. The decision to award this scholarship is based on financial need, academic achievement, English proficiency examination results, and community involvement/school activities. Funds received from this scholarship will help offset the non-resident portion of tuition and will be directly applied to the student’s account. For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/15OHSyy WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS Wayne State is dedicated to preparing students to excel by combining the academic excellence of a major research university with the practical experience of an institution that by its history, location and diversity represents a microcosm of the world we live in. Reflecting its location and the excellent international reputation of its graduate schools, particularly in the sciences, Wayne State boasts the most diverse student body among Michigan’s public universities. There are scholarships and fellowships awarded through some university schools, colleges and departments that do not include citizenship or permanent resident status as a criterion. WSU schools, colleges and academic departments award their own departmental scholarships. If you have questions concerning these scholarships, please contact the department office directly. For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/ZRMlwd HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY MBA SCHOLARSHIP Heidelberg’s home is Tiffin, OH. We have over 1,200 traditional undergraduates and 200 plus graduate students. Our students come from all over the country and the world. Heidelberg University's MBA admission deadline has been extended to June 15, 2013! The first 15 students who apply and qualify will have automatically receive $5,000 scholarship! For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/Yqtqax NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY ASSISTANTSHIPS Founded in 1898, Northeastern University is a private research university located in the heart of Boston. Northeastern is a leader in worldwide experiential learning, urban engagement, and interdisciplinary research that meets global and societal needs. Our broad mix of experience-based education programs—our signature cooperative education program, as well as student research, service learning, and global learning—build the connections that enable students to transform their lives. The University offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools. Northeastern offers Teaching/Research Assistantships, Stipended Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Assistantships. These positions and awards are offered directly by the individual graduate schools or academic departments. Students seeking such assistance should contact their graduate school for an application and eligibility criteria. Any tuition remission, stipend award and/or housing compensation will be incorporated into the student’s financial aid package as a resource. Students who receive these forms of assistance may have reduced eligibility for need-based aid. For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/ZRNK5Q RUTGERS UNIVERSITY FELLOWSHIPS, ASSISTANTSHIPS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS Our mission at Graduate and Professional Admissions is to assist students interested in graduate or professional study to find the right program and then to support and guide you through the application process. With nearly 14,800 graduate and professional students from around the world, Rutgers is a leading public research university with graduate programs on campuses in New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden—and beyond. Merit-based assistance includes fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships. You are automatically considered for university-based fellowships, assistantships, and scholarships at Rutgers University. The availability of merit-based assistance varies significantly by field of study. For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/15OKYmd       II. Campus News SMITH COLLEGE'S AMERICAN COLLEGE IMMERSION PROGRAM Smith College's "American College Immersion Program" for international students is extending its application deadline to June 3, 2013. Scholarships of up to $2,000 are also available. This program helps students improve academic skills and prepares you to apply to colleges and universities in the United States. Campus tours at Harvard, MIT, and Columbia, as well as sightseeing in Boston and NYC, are highlights! We also help with writing the college essay, public speaking, and interview skills. For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/YWsho9            SIENA HEIGHTS UNIVERSITY TEACHER EDUCATION, EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP RECEIVE ACCREDITATION FROM TEAC The University recently learned it received full national accreditation for both its Teacher Education and the Educational Leadership programs. The Teacher Education Accreditation Council informed SHU that both programs received accreditation. The Teacher Education program received a full seven-year accreditation while the Educational Leadership program was granted five-year initial accreditation from TEAC’s accreditation committee. SHU’s Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education Sally Rae said she was pleased with the overall process and the outcome for both programs. “We are thankful for those at Siena Heights and the Lenawee community who shared in the two self studies and who helped prepare for accreditation,” said Rae, who also credited Dean of the Graduate College Dr. Anne Hooghart and former Graduate Teacher Education Director Dr. Kelly Cichy with their leadership during the process. Rae said the university received official word about its accreditation from TEAC Executive Vice President Diana Rigden. SHU earned the longest duration of accreditation offered by TEAC for both programs. For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/MZ5sv6 MONMOUTH COLLEGE NEW SCIENCE CENTER Monmouth College dedicates new Center for Science and Business on Friday, May 10. Programs in the new building foster interdisciplinary collaboration between biology, biochemistry, chemistry, psychology, physics, computer science & mathematics and business, economics and accounting. “Monmouth College has audacious goals,” said President Mauri Ditzler. “We expect that the Center for Science and Business is going to produce graduates who will change the world. It seems entirely appropriate that our keynote speaker has written a book titled ‘You Can’t Dream Big Enough,’ and that he’s also happened to spend his career at the intersection of science and business.” For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/YuQu86                      NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY INCREASES BY 16% The number of international students at Arizona State University increased this year, as did the number of services it makes available to help those students feel at home. Of the 72,254 students at ASU this semester, 6.1 percent were international students. That is a 16 percent increase from the year before. ASU welcomes these students and encourages them to get involved by participating in clubs and organizations and interacting with other students of similar and different cultures and ethnicities, according to OrgSync, a clubs and organization tool offered through ASU. For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/15ODZtn WATCH NOW! THE STEP 5 WEBINAR SERIES The Step 5—Preparing for Your Departure—webinar series provides advice about gathering important documents, arranging housing, anticipating cultural differences and attending an EducationUSA pre-departure orientation. The webinars are being hosted starting May 10th through June 13th. Register to watch them live! For more information, please visit: http://bit.ly/13KaKno

Grenadian writer and State Department alumna, Oonya Kempadoo reflects on the International Writing program at the University of Iowa

The U.S. Department of State is a major source of support for the program. The IWP also administers the grants of writers who come to the University of Iowa under subsidy from cultural organizations both in the U.S. and abroad.

After my surprise and delight at being awarded this residency, after my curiosity and openness to the idea of interfacing with 35 writers from all over the world, friends started to tease me about going way into the middle of the cornfields or potato country (some thought) in the US.  I got to Iowa and it was very, very quiet.  Then as part of our welcome, I heard the phrase “The world comes to Iowa.” and thought ‘This is a very BIG statement for a program and writers to live up to!’ How could any writer, or their work, represent a whole country and culture. Turns out the most enriching experience though, was exactly a feast of different languages and tastes of various writings; a world of international literature, in the middle of America’s heartland. This is the quiet home of the original writer’s workshop too, and occasional swarms of yellow-and-black Iowa Hawkeyes. On seeing what the campus offers its students, the wealth and breadth of options and facilities, I also wondered, ‘Do these students know how privileged they are?’

            Throughout the three month residency, my notion of rural and farming communities as less wealthy than corporate city folk, was eroded. And the welcome familiar became the ‘country’ warmth in Iowan ways, how people would say ‘Good morning.’ when they’re just walking past you, along the river. These types of details remain soft, in between the celebratory bunches of students and busy schedule of literary, film and academic events. I figured we would have had more loud literary arguments and get more of our own writing done but it was the exchanges that sustained. Even back home and settled, the memories mixed with colours of personalities attached to different tongues and texts, the great hosting team and wonderful friendships, remain.

International Women's Day: BPW Barbados at the UN

Marrianne, left, at the IWD 2013 Parade

President of Business and Professional Women (BPW) Barbados, Marrianne Burnham observed International Women’s Day in and around UN Headquarters during the Commission of the Status of Women 57 Conference in New York. Marrianne took part in the special parade for IWD 2013, by joining dozens of women from around the world in showing their support of the ‘Elimination and Prevention of All Forms of Violence Against Women and Girls’, the theme of the CSW 57. The special march took place March 8, around 10.30am from 42nd Street and 1st Avenue up and around the avenues through wet snow and slush. Marrianne was a guest of BPW International as part of their delegation of 20 persons from around the world, all from various BPW Clubs. She enjoyed the often intense and very informative official CSW sessions and NGO parallel events all focused on aspects of elimination of violence against women and girls. Sessions included side events at the Church Center, German Mission, Salvation Army, UN Women all in the vicinity of the vast UN Headquarters. The CSW 57th session ran from March 4th to 15th 2013.

IWD 2013 Parade

This trip was made possible with the kind support of the US Embassy of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and the Bureau of Gender Affairs – Barbados. BPW Barbados thanks both entities for recognising their work and continuing to lend to many initiatives of the club, that improve the lives of women and children every day.

For the love of Liberty - Message on International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia

To mark the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, we are pleased to highlight the work of LGBT organizations in the Eastern Caribbean. Today, this blog provides a space for people to share their experiences, struggles, and successes in their own words.  

   

Authored by Donnya Piggott - Founder and Director of Barbados - Gays, Lesbians and All-sexuals against Discriminatation

Every 50 years or so, human societies go through a period of ‘social auditing’ and enter a point of realisation and awareness of some defect or an error and it brings about a need for radical change in our thinking and our perspective on living, life and love. For some, this change in perspective comes soon after and for others it comes much later. However, as we evolve as human beings, as we learn and as we grow, change becomes inevitable in every stage of our natural lives.

In the Caribbean and in Barbados we are at a peak in our desire for liberation and love and this is only brought about through meaningful change in our societies. The LGBT movement, though small and slow raises its head like the morning sunrise to bring hope, love and liberty to all who choose to accept it. For far too long we the LGBT community, have suffered and endured hateful words and whispers, violent attacks, abandonment, rejection, inequality and injustice in the name of societal norms, values and of course our very own laws. Heavy hearts and hung heads have plagued our community and driven many to suicide, feelings of inadequacy, violence, lack of self-worth, hardened our hearts and bruised our emotions. Unfortunately, this usually comes from those that we love the most or those that should love us.

Today, the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, Barbados – Gays, Lesbians and All-sexuals against Discrimination (B-GLAD) salutes all LGBT groups and organisations within the Caribbean and worldwide, struggling and fighting on their own behalf and on the behalf of the oppressed. The LGBT Human Rights journey is certainly not an easy one and we owe it to ourselves to encourage and empower each other to press on. Each day, larger countries are making progress and it urges and encourages us that one day we too will see our laws and societies embrace us and give us the freedom to live and to love peacefully.

Until then, continue to be the light that causes others to see, continue to live in love and set good examples to those who look up to you. We are the freedom fighters of tomorrow, the simple men and women who see the societal flaw of Homophobia and Transphobia and work tirelessly to correct it. Salute yourselves for you have done well thus far.

Founded in May 2012, B-GLAD is young and rising non-profit organisation aimed at supporting the LGBT fight against discrimination and defamation by promoting tolerance and advocating towards LGBT equality in Barbados.

The commentary written in this post reflects the author's views, and may not represent the position of the U.S. Government.

Ambassador's Fund aids renovation of St. Mary's Anglican Church in Bequia

 Laura Conaway is a Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

  

Inside St. Mary's Anglican Church

I had the chance last week to visit Bequia, a beautiful island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines!  While in Bequia, I  stopped by St. Mary’s Anglican Church—located in a picturesque spot right on the water and near the main port--which is undergoing a beautiful  renovation.  The renovation is being paid for, in part, by the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation.  The almost $80,000 the Embassy grant funded a new roof and an incredibly talented craftsman to restore the church’s original windows.  The Embassy grant also funded the work of a gifted American artist--living on Bequia for many years—to do the painstaking work of restoring two huge paintings damaged by rain, humidity and even termites over the years!  The paintings are now re-hung in the church, a new minister is arriving to take over the congregation and services should be resuming soon.  Most importantly, however, all of the island’s resident I spoke with talked about their memories of the church in their youth as a center of community.  

Laura Conway (center-left) with members of the restoration team.

They were all so excited to see that the Church was being renovated and were looking forward to seeing it returned to its former place as an important community center.  In years past, there was huge Easter festival that took place in the courtyard every year that was the main community event of the Easter season!  All the residents hoped to see this tradition revitalized.  In addition, the church is a big draw for tourists…in the short time that I was there, numerous visitors stopped in to visit the church and take photos.  The Embassy is excited to see the renovation completed on this important historic landmark and to see St. Mary’s Anglican Church again become an integral part of the Bequia community.   

Grenadian Participants from "No Witness, No Justice" Meet with Parliamentary Secretary from the Ministry of Youth

On Monday May 6, Senator Sheldon Scott Parliamentary Secretary of Grenada’s Ministry of Youth, Sports and Ecclesiastical Affairs, came to the U.S. Embassy in St. George’s, Grenada to meet with Grenada’s Delegation at the December 2012 Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Youth Conference “No Witness, No Justice.”  Teacher Imogene Howard and students Derisa Roberts and Joanne Samuel from Westerhall Secondary School in St. David’s briefed the senator and U.S. Chargé Lou Crishock on their plans to extend the message of “No Witness, No Justice” both within their school and to other high schools in Grenada.

 
They described how they hope to educate young people about the legal system in Grenada, and promote citizen participation in the system as witnesses by making short video clips.

Successful launch of Media Protocol, Social Media Identification Policy

As Director of Public Prosecution in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines I am very pleased with the widespread positive response to our launch on World Press Freedom Day of two documents, ‘National Prosecution Service of SVG Media Protocol’ and the ‘Social Media Identification Policy’.

Some fifteen journalists (editors and senior reporters) as well a representative each from the Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and the private bar, joined with the staff of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in observing the Twentieth Anniversary of World Press Freedom day with the launch of the documents of the two policy documents.

Both the Media Protocol and the Social Media Identification Policy were developed with the assistance and guidance of the Criminal Justice Advisor to the Eastern Caribbean, Daniel Suter, whose services were made available under a project funded by the Bridgetown-based United States Embassy to the Eastern Caribbean and the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Mr Suter was a facilitator at the prosecutors-media forum and his conduct of the session was greatly appreciated.

Editor of the ‘Searchlight’ newspaper, Clare Keizer, spoke of her satisfaction with the event.

“I applaud the Prosecution Service for first of all conceiving of the Media Protocol and taking it to the next step of publishing and launching it.  I think it is useful,” she said.

Another journalist, Ashford Peters, a freelance crime reported attached to The News newspaper said the event was “useful and timely.”

He found the forum to be “enlightening.”  Peters, who has worked the court beat for several years, said the event served to “foster and enhance the relationship between prosecutors and journalists.”  He welcomed the Media Protocol for establishing clear guidelines and for highlighting the issues relating to prosecutorial efficiency and the dispensation of justice.

Lawyer, Shirlon Baranwell of the private bar, described the launch as “exciting and impressive” as she applauded the National Prosecution Service for “leading the way.”

“Its significance cannot be over-exaggerated,” she said in a message congratulating the National Prosecution Service. “This milestone certainly illustrates that Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is serious and proactive about the development of the law as it relates to fundamental rights and freedoms and the administration of justice.”

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is the first Caribbean State to launch the documents.