EducationUSA Opportunity Funds Colombia 2024-25.
Call for Applications is OPEN!
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Deadline is Friday, March 8th, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., Colombian 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 Colombia is for applicants interested in graduate degree programs (master’s or doctorate) in any area of study except clinical studies in medicine, veterinary, or dentistry. It is not for students looking to enroll in undergraduate studies, 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. graduate programs that start in the fall semester (August/September) 2025; 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, 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 Colombia (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?
Colombian citizens or Colombian residents whose countries do not have the Opportunity Funds Program (please contact the adviser center in your country of citizenship for more information https://educationusa.state.gov/)
REQUIREMENTS
To hold a bachelor’s degree from a five-year institution, a master’s degree, or those pursuing the last semester of their academic programs and who will likely graduate before June 2025. (Technical or vocational programs will not be considered for this call.)
To be a Colombian citizen or a Colombian Resident living in Colombia. Colombian residents must hold a legal migratory status or a Colombian national I.D.; those applicants whose countries do not have Opportunity Funds Program will be eligible for this call and should hold a valid passport (Maximum expiration date: November 2025).
Colombian citizens physically living in Colombia 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 (at this moment, applicants’ level of English proficiency will not have to be certified through an official exam.)
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 March 8th, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., Colombian 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 March 8th, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., Colombia time. All applicants will be contacted in May 2024 regarding the results of the pre-selection process. Pre-selected participants will receive further instructions. (DATE HAS CHANGED DUE TO THE TIME OF REVIEW OF THE APPLICANTS, WE ARE GOING TO NOTICE EACH CANDIDATE BY EMAIL)
Required documents (to be uploaded as part of the online application):
Cedula (See conditions for resident applicants above)
For residents (from other nationalities), you will need to hold a valid passport through November 2025.
Copy of your 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.
Undergraduate transcript (list of courses taken and grades)
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.)
Transcripts for 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.
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 colombia@educationusa.org
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I am about to graduate from high school. Could I apply to the program?
Here in Colombia, the program is only for students seeking to pursue a graduate program (master’s or Ph.D. programs) in the United States.
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 2025 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 because the program does not cover an Intensive English Program here in Colombia 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.
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