The scholarships are not for full tuition – they range from $1,000 to $7,000 – so currently they are only accepting applications from students ALREADY in the United States. The stipend will help pay for housing, books, etc, but is not enough for tuition.

Please be sure to complete the entire application before sending it to them. They have a limited team of application reviewers so be sure to follow the instructions!

RFI Scholarship Application Download

Criteria for Prospective Iraqi Student Applicants:

• Completed RFI application which includes application form, and possible phone or in-person interview.
• Financial need
• Applicants must be Iraqi citizens in Iraq or Iraqi citizens displaced from the recent war and living abroad.
• A strong desire and commitment to helping with the reconstruction of the Iraqi state or society.
• Strong performance in secondary school along with any post-secondary school education.
• Demonstrated leadership and social consciousness

Purpose

Thank you for your interest in RFI’s scholarship program. The 2010 application cycle is now open. Please carefully read through the 3-page application (link below) and complete it fully before submitting. Applications can be returned via email to Scholarships@RallyforIraq.orgwith the applicant’s last name and “Iraqi Scholarship Application” in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with preference shown toward earlier submissions. Applicants will hear back from RFI within two weeks to one month of their submission. We may request phone or in-person interviews from final round candidates, if possible.

RFI stipends will range from $1,000-7,000 for this school year. Please read the information below for details regarding eligibility and preferred qualifications. Questions about the application process can be directed to Scholarships@RallyforIraq.org

RFI Scholarship Application Download

Application Process and Continued Eligibility:

1. Complete and submit the application form.
2. Upon applicant’s acceptance to a college, graduate program, or recertification program, he or she must provide proof of acceptance prior to receiving funding.
3. The granting committee will meet to select scholarship recipients after the RFI application deadline. Applications will be considered on a strictly blind basis, in other words, the Board will not know the names of applicants prior to making their decision.
4. RFI will provide scholarship funds directly to the school where the recipient is planning to study. Exceptions will be made for books and living expenses on a case by case basis.
5. RFI will request proof of enrollment from the student as well as the school at the beginning and end of each semester. In the case that the terms of the award are violated, RFI will request for the student or the school to return the award and the student will be ineligible for future consideration in the granting process.

We are SO excited to share this with you & hope you will take advantage of this awesome opportunity! GOOD LUCK!

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So many Iraqi students are asking us about the scholarship and the basics…so here they are as we understand them. The best and most accurate information can be found on the official site of the Higher Committee for Education Development in Iraq (?????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ??????).

The newly launched Iraq Education Initiative scholarships will allow approximately 50,000 Iraqi students study in English speaking countries across the world.  The first group of scholarships are being awarded for the upcoming year (2009/2010) and the scholarship application is open for students to apply. The Iraqi scholarship application is available here: http://www.hcediraq.org/index_files/Apply.htm

This is a scholarship awarded by the Iraqi government and requires students to return home to work for the same amount of time they were studying.  The students are fully funded by the government of Iraq.  There are currently NO open offices for students to go to for the scholarship. In order to receive it, you MUST fill out the application and send it in.

Fast Facts:

• 500-600 scholarships to be awarded in September 2009 to Iraqi students
• Students must apply to English speaking Universities (United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc)
  
• Scholarships include tuition, fees, and living stipend
• Students may apply for Associates (2 year), Bachelors, Masters and PhD programs
• English language program study is available for students to improve language skills
  
• Open to all accredited Universities, Colleges, Community Colleges
• Scholarships are awarded according to the percentage of population in each province of Iraq
• 10,000 scholarships available for the next 5 years (beginning in 2o10/2011)

The first step you MUST take is to complete the scholarship application! Once you have completed your application, you will need to start thinking about where you want to attend college.  The next steps will be easier once you have your application for the Iraqi scholarship completed.

To start you will need to:
1. Review the rules for the Iraq education scholarship
2. Fill out the scholarship application carefully and accurately
a.  Bachelors degree scholarship application
b. Masters/PhD scholarship application
3. Send application in to the Higher Committee (HCED)
4. Receive confirmation of your application from the Committee
5. Wait for a response regarding your scholarship

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The program begins with a pilot program, a small class of 500-600 students for the upcoming academic year.  Students must apply for the scholarship here: http://www.hcediraq.org/index_files/Apply.htm and we suggest you apply TODAY, the Iraqi scholarship application for 2009/2010 closes on September 1, 2009.

Currently it appears that the application is only in Arabic. If any Kurdish students need assistance, let us know so we can find a person to help with translation for you.

The scholarship is currently only open to Iraqi citizens who are currently living in Iraq and have lived in Iraq for the 2 years prior to the application.  Applications are for Bachelors and Masters & PhD degrees, there are age requirements for the different degrees which you can find here:
http://www.hcediraq.org/index_files/Eligibility.htm

You do NOT need to take the TOEFL in order to be considered for the scholarship, however, it will assist in your application process. You can learn more about the TOEFL here and find locations for where it is administered in Iraq from the official website of ETS.

Once you’ve completed your scholarship application, its probably a good idea to start figuring out where you want to study! Let us know if you have any questions and if you need any help with your decisions. We highly recommend our friends at MyUSearch as one of the few UNBIASED college matchmakers out there!

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The session speaker, Dr. Zuhair Humadi is the brainchild of the Iraq Education Initiative and a graduate of the US educational system. He will discuss ways that the admissions offices will be able to collaborate with the scholarship initiative to admit qualified students to their programs.

To begin building a directory of Universities that accept international students without the SAT requirement and that offer ESL and conditional admissions programs we are encouraging all admissions officers to add your information to the College & University Directory.

Session Information

Title: GS210: The Iraqi Educational Initiative: Opportunities for Collaboration
Begin Time: Thursday, 5/28 – 9:15 AM
Audience: General Professional Interest
Description: Presenters will discuss the possibilities for collaboration between institutions of higher education and the Iraqi government. The Iraqi Educational Initiative will invest heavily in the educational system to develop the human resources of the country. The goal is to make Iraq a center of learning in the Middle East through investments in all levels of education.
Chair: Zuhair Humadi, PhD, Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister

http://acsearch.nafsa.org/KCSessions.aspx
Search for “Iraq”

Stop by our booth #1445 at NAFSA for a chance to win a free full page ad in the November issue of Al Jamiat!

See you at NAFSA!

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Lewis & Clark Community College - CC license

By University Language Services

Lower tuition isn’t the only reason that millions of students every year decide to attend community colleges.

With careful planning, transferring to a 4-year college or university from a community college is often easy. That makes community colleges an attractive, affordable option for students throughout the U.S. and around the world.

What is a community college?

Community colleges award associate’s degrees, usually after two years of classes.

Many U.S. students attend a community college directly after graduating from high school. Community colleges also attract older, “non-traditional” students who live near the school.

Students who attend community colleges aren’t required to earn an associate’s degree before transferring to a 4-year college or university. In fact, some students attend a community college for just a year before transferring to a different college.

Why consider a community college?

At many U.S. colleges and universities, all students are required to take a core group of classes that provide them with a solid educational foundation. This may include beginner math, English, economic, history and science classes.

Students majoring in engineering, literature or anything in between will have to earn these credits before earning a bachelor’s degree. Taking these classes at a community college often is less expensive than taking the equivalent courses at a 4-year college or university.

Many students then transfer to a 4-year college or university for their major classes and to earn a bachelor’s degree.

How do you decide which classes to take?

You can transfer most (and maybe all!) of your community college course credits if you carefully choose your classes.

West Virginia Northern Community College - CC License

Every 4-year college and university independently decides if it will award academic credit for any or all of the courses taken at another school. This means that one college may award you credit for, say, a political science class you completed, but another college may not.

Fortunately, community colleges know that many of its students eventually will transfer to a 4-year school, and many make it very easy for students to do so.

Check if your community college has articulation agreements with nearby 4-year colleges and universities. An articulation agreement states what classes, coursework or credits a specific 4-year school will accept from the community college.

For example, the articulation agreement may specify that an associate’s degree from your community college will earn you credit for a precise series of courses from a specific 4-year college. Or the articulation agreement may specify exactly which courses will earn you credit at the 4-year college or university.

Attending a community college also may provide you with other benefits when it is time to transfer.

For example, the campuses in the University of California system give students attending community colleges in the state first priority for admission over other transfer students.

I’ve enrolled in a community college. Now what?

Speak with academic counselors at your community college and at any of the colleges or universities where you are thinking about transferring. They can help you choose classes that are most likely to transfer. Academic credit probably won’t be guaranteed, but you have a better chance than by simply guessing which courses you should take.

Keep your syllabus and other important papers from each community college course you take just in case your new college has questions about what you learned. And pay attention to your grades! They could determine whether you are accepted into a 4-year college or university, especially if you are applying to a competitive school.

You’re not done yet! Remember to closely follow the application deadline and requirements for the 4-year colleges or universities where you want to apply. For example, if you are an international student you may have to submit your TOEFL score and secondary school academic records with their English translations.

Community colleges are different than 4-year colleges and universities. Many community colleges do not offer dormitories or as wide a variety of student clubs, activities or sports. But if you are looking for an affordable way to get a U.S. education, a community college may be the answer.

About University Language Services:

Since 1983, University Language Services has specialized in the translation of academic transcripts, records and personal documents. Its website and blog provide assistance to international students in the United States and American students who wish to study abroad.

ULS translates, transcribes and interprets 150+ languages and dialects from its international headquarters in New York City and affiliated offices around the world.

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Iraqi students in Babil Iraq, CC license lakerae

We all know what a speed bump the visa application process can be for unprepared students, and until a few months ago, Iraqi students accepted into American universities were required to leave Iraq and apply for their student visa at a “regional office”.  Regional offices are located in Syria, Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan where the Iraqi students would have to travel for their interview and return to receive their stamped visa – a huge financial and stressful burden on the applicant and their families.

Mr. Jeffrey Lodinsky, the General Consul at the new US Embassy in Baghdad spoke to us this week about the many changes and initiatives that they are undertaking to streamline the student visa application for Iraqi students.  Since August 2008, student visas have been processed in Baghdad, the Embassy has “most modern facility, our interview windows are the most modern in the world” said Mr. Lodinsky, and is well equipped to deal with large numbers of visa applicants.  “We encourage Iraqi students both in the region and in Kurdistan to apply at this location, we have a culturally sensitive staff and Arabic speakers who understand” the unique applications from Iraqi students.

Mr. Lodinsky explained that one of the priorities of Ambassador Ryan Crocker, who has now departed from his post in Baghdad, was to ensure that the first clients served by the new Embassy were student visas.  Ambassador Crocker felt that it was crucial for long term bilateral relationships to accommodate Iraqi students interested in higher education in the United States.  Several hundred students have already received their F-1 visas, and are already at colleges and universities around the US.

Efforts are underway to expand the visa reciprocity between the United States and Iraq, which will allow F-1 students to receive more than the current 3 month, single entry visa.  In comparison to most F-1 students from other countries who receive 5-year multiple entry visas, allowing them to visit family in their home country during summer vacation or winter break, the Iraqi student will face a much more restrictive visa.  Students will be required to reapply for their visa renewal at a US Embassy if they leave the United States in order to be allowed to reenter. Changes to the student visa may be available in the coming months.

The procedure for the actual application is identical to that in other countries, there is no specific paperwork required, however, Colleges and Universities should explain that the students must be prepared for the interview at the Embassy and bring all the required documentation.  Colleges and Universities must be cognizant that the lack of postal services in Iraq will require they send time sensitive documents such as the I-20 to the students via air courier (such as DHL or similar) and not regular post.  The Embassy officials encourage students to apply as early as possible, as they do expect that the application will take several weeks to process, allowing the student to receive their I-20 as early as possible will increase their chances of a successful visa application process.

“This is a special group of foreign students, and
I really encourage the universities to think of these
students in a different way, be mindful of
their heritage” – Helen LaFave, Cultural Affairs Officer

“This is a positive for students, for universities, for US-Iraq relations, it’s a positive in every way” said Ms. Helen LaFave, Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Baghdad, “but one of the things universities need to think about is that this is a whole population of Iraqi students, not just another block of international students”.  While there has always been a flow of Iraqi students heading to the United States for higher education, as far back as the 1920′s and 1930′s, there has been a multi-decade gap where the Iraqi population has been very isolated from the US.

“These students have been through a lot in the last 50 years, this is a special group of foreign students, and I really encourage the universities to think of these students in a different way, be mindful of their heritage, and not treat them the same way as students coming in from other countries”

The Embassy officials spoke of Fulbright Program and caliber of students the program has sent.  Feedback from the students and the universities show the Iraqis are welcomed into the class room, they are engaged and active both within the classroom and out in the college community. The students are settling in to their dorms, making American friends, and taking every advantage of the Fulbright scholarship in the best way possible.  According to their previous experience, this is not uniformly true, there are Fulbright students from other countries, who are overwhelmed by the experience and retreat to their dorm rooms or even drop out.

“Iraqi teachers are notoriously difficult graders, a “C” in Iraq is a “B” or “A”
anywhere else, I have interviewed Fulbright students who
had mostly “B”s and “C”s on their transcripts”
Mr. Jeffery Lodinsky, Consul General – US Embassy Baghdad

In speaking with some university admissions officers and advisors, they relay that they are impressed with the quality of the students coming from Iraq. While they study and work hard, they do not avoid contact with other students or just sit in their dorm room.  Ms. LaFave added that the students bring a tremendous amount of diversity and enlightenment to the university campus, higher education institutions are eager to Iraqi students apply there, “educationally they are very impressed”.

All the Embassy officials encouraged admissions officers to review the transcripts of the Iraqi applicants carefully, and note that there is no grade inflation of any kind in Iraq.  “Iraqi teachers are notoriously difficult graders, a “C” in Iraq is a “B” or “A” anywhere else, I have interviewed Fulbright students who had mostly “B”s and “C”s on their transcripts”  said Mr. Lodinsky.  He continued “The Iraqi students are very interesting but may not have the array of extra curricular activities that an American student may have”.

Monument to Unknown Soldier, Baghdad. Photo by: Robert Hardin University of Oregon

While students now do have the opportunity to take the TOEFL at many locations around the country and the GRE twice a year, Ms. LaFave stresses that these are “raw scores, preparing for these standardized tests is not an idea that has permeated this society” and admissions officers need to take into account when comparing the scores of international students from countries such as China and India who generally study intensely for the standardized tests. The SATs are currently not offered in Iraq, however, there are plans to begin administering the test inside the country this year.

Ms. LaFave had noted earlier that Iraqi parents “live for their children’s education” and with the new Iraq Education Initiative will be pushing their kids to apply to study in the United States. She went on to say “Iraq is very interested in engaging with Americans people to people, through education and through students. Iraqis are a fascinating engaging people, universities will find them to be a great addition to their campus”.

With the tone of the discussion with the Embassy officials so positive throughout the conversation, the collaborative effect of assisting students through the visa application process both from the Iraqi government and the US Embassy is evident. It will be a team effort to ensure the success of these students, and colleges and universities are encouraged to look at these students and if there will be active recruitment efforts, to think about how to welcome them onto campus. Many of the students will need some extra assistance to adjust to their new environment and become a successful and engaging part of the campus experience.

More information from the US Embassy Baghdad – http://www.iraq.usembassy.gov

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According to Dr. Zuhair Humadi, the executive director of the Iraq Education Initiative and a senior advisor to Vice President Adil Abd Al-Mahdi, the Iraqi government has committed $1 billion a year to this program.  Each year for a period of five years, the initiative will provide full scholarships for up to 10,000 Iraqi high school graduates to study in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, France and Germany. Dr Humadi estimated that more than 80% of the scholarships will go to undergraduate students interested in seeking an associates or bachelors degree.

Some of the US Colleges and Universities attending this unusual recruiting fair included University of Oregon,Virginia Commonwealth University, Southern Illinois University, West Virginia University, University of Kentucky , University of Evansville , Texas A&M University, a Representative for the Universities of the State of Ohio, as well as other universities, community colleges, and intensive English language programs.

In a letter to university representatives, Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki explained the reasoning behind the Iraq Education Initiative: “For many years, the system of higher education in Iraq was regarded as one of the finest in the Arab world. Students from many countries came to Iraq to attend our colleges and universities, however, wars and sanctions have impaired the system of education. … Iraq needs a strategic program that will transform its education system in order to make up the time lost in developing its human resources.”

Events held in both Baghdad and Suleimaniyah in the Kurdish region of Iraq were successful in allowing more than 600 students to discuss their interest in studying in the United States and other countries directly with deans and representatives from the attending colleges. John S. Jackson, Professor at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale was one of the fair attendees and spoke with the excited Iraqi students about their credentials and desire to study in the United States, “Many expressed a very concrete desire to return to Iraq to help make it a better nation”. he said, a theme reflected in the Prime Minister’s keynote address.

While students will be required to take the TOEFL exam at one of the 15 newly opened testing centers in Iraq and score at least a 450 to be eligible for the government sponsored scholarship, they will not have the opportunity to take the SAT or ACT exams. Universities are encouraged to be as flexible as possible when recruiting the Iraqi students and to expect students to enter an intensive English language program before matriculating in the general program.  Colleges and universities without SAT requirements and that offer conditional admissions should expect an influx of student applications.

In June a pilot program will launch to work through the logistics and attempt to streamline any issues that may come up before sending the annual expected 10,000 students. As information becomes available Al Jamiat will continue to update readers.

Quick Facts:

• 10,000 students per year sent to English speaking Universities
• 500 student pilot program to be launched in June
• Scholarships will include tuition, fees, and living stipend
• Students may apply for Associates, Bachelors & Masters programs
• Open to all accredited Universities, Colleges, Community Colleges
• Students must score a 450 on the TOEFL test to be eligible for the scholarship

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