Call for Applications is OPEN!

Deadline is Friday, January 15th, 2027, at 5:00 p.m., Ecuadorian time

The EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program, supported by the U.S. Department of State, assists highly qualified students who are likely to be awarded full financial support from accredited U.S. universities but need more financial resources to cover the up-front costs related to applying and obtaining admission. Over approximately one year, the selected students work closely with an EducationUSA adviser and with the cohort of other Opportunity Funds students to prepare and submit applications to up to eight U.S. universities where they have a strong chance of receiving a full scholarship from the university to cover tuition and living expenses.

The Opportunity Funds Program in Ecuador is for applicants interested in undergraduate (bachelor's) and graduate degree programs (master’s or doctorate) in any area of study except clinical studies in medicine, veterinary, or dentistry, law and administrative areas like MBA. It is not for students looking to enroll in short-term exchange programs, intensive English, or other types of study. 

 WHAT IS THIS PROGRAM INTENDED FOR? 

This program offers advising services and financial support for students to complete the application process to U.S. programs that start in the fall semester (August/September) 2028; however, this program does not guarantee acceptance into or scholarships from universities in the U.S.

 WHAT IS COVERED BY THE PROGRAM?

The Opportunity Funds Program provides comprehensive individual and group advising for each student. This program also covers certain expenses, as determined necessary by the EducationUSA advising team and by the progress and individual circumstances of each student:

• Standardized exams (TOEFL iBT/IELTS/Duolingo, SAT/ACT, GMAT/GRE, as applicable), test logistics, and score reports.

• Application fees to U.S. institutions.

• Translations and administrative costs related to academic documents required for the admissions process.

• Travel costs within Ecuador (to present exams and/or apply for the student visa).

• Visa and SEVIS fees.

•  Air ticket to the U.S. to begin studies.

• One-time settling-in allowance in the U.S.

• Immunizations and additional pre-travel expenses.

Please note that EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program cannot be used to cover tuition costs. Program participation and program funding are contingent upon budget availability and approval of annual funding cycles.

 WHO CAN APPLY? 

To be eligible for the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Program, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

REQUIREMENTS 

•  Be a citizen of Ecuador, or an officially recognized refugee residing in Ecuador.

• Be applying to a degree program (undergraduate or graduate) at an accredited U.S. college or university.

• Not currently be enrolled at a U.S. higher education institution.

• Not be a U.S. citizen, dual citizen, permanent resident, or Green Card holder (these applicants are eligible for U.S. federal financial aid instead).

• Demonstrate significant financial need — your family does not have the resources to cover the costs of applying to U.S. universities on your own.

• Be academically competitive enough to realistically obtain full funding (tuition + living expenses) from a U.S. institution.

• Have no other scholarship, exchange, or government-sponsored funding currently covering these same costs.

• Be willing and able to commit to active participation in EducationUSA cohort advising sessions for the full required period:

18–24 months for undergraduate applicants

9–12 months for graduate applicants

• For undergraduate applicants: To be ideally in 11th or 12th grade, or just graduated from High School. 

• Ecuadorian citizens physically living in Ecuador at the moment of the application process: application and if they get chosen during the advising process. 

• Students who do not have any application process open with U.S. institutions. 

• To have an English level at the B2 level, according to the CEFR (students can submit a mock test or free simulation to show their English level.) 

 HOW TO APPLY AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

To apply, you'll need to look through all the information on this page in detail. Complete and submit the online application form at Opportunity Funds Platform by January 15th, 2027, at 5:00 p.m., Ecuadorian time. Applications submitted after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The application form includes several essays and required documents (below). In the application platform, you can save your progress and then return to complete the application at any time before the deadline of January 15th, 2027, at 5:00 p.m., Ecuador time. All applicants will be contacted in February 2027 regarding the results of the pre-selection process. Pre-selected participants will receive further instructions.

Required documents (to be uploaded as part of the online application):

• ID card (Cédula)

• Copy of your school or university diploma if you have already graduated.

• If you are pursuing the last semester of your academic program, you should have a certificate from the university that indicates that you are in your last semester or about to graduate.

• For graduate applicants: Undergraduate transcript (list of courses taken and grades) and any additional studies after high school. For example, technical/vocational, diplomado, especialización, master’s, and/or doctorate.

  • This document does not need to be translated into English for application.

  • This document can be an unofficial copy of your transcripts downloaded from your university platform. (Be aware that if selected for the program, you must submit the official ones.) 

• For undergraduate applicants: Transcripts from the last 4 years of high school (10mo, 1ero, 2do and 3ero Bachillerato. 

  • This document does not need to be translated into English for application. 

 WHO CAN I CONTACT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PROGRAM?

If you have questions that aren’t answered on this page, you may contact ecuador@educationusa.org

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I am about to graduate from high school.  Could I apply to the program?

Yes, you can. Here in Ecuador, we will have undergraduate and graduate applicants for this round.

If I have not graduated from my undergraduate degree, could I still apply to the program?

You must graduate from your undergraduate program by June 2027 to be able to apply to the program.

Would I be able to travel with my spouse and/or children if I’m chosen?

The program only covers your up-front costs related to applying and obtaining admission.

Do I need to know English to apply?

Ideally, you should be a B2 level because the program does not cover an Intensive English Program here in Ecuador or in the United States.  All the cohort advising sessions are done in English, and contacting university professors, contacting faculty, reading information about the program you plan to apply to, and so much more are also done in English.