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On this page you will find useful resources if you plan or are interested in applying for U.S. colleges and universities! (based in the U.S.A.)
WHAT ONE NEEDs TO APPLY TO US UNIVERSITIES:
WHAT ONE NEEDs TO APPLY TO US UNIVERSITIES:
Online application- in most cases CommonApp
Recommendations- 2 from professors, 1 from a counselor (please make sure you fill out appropriate info as specified in Factsheet form). This form help counselor write a good recommendation letter
Testing-SAT+english proficiency tests (could be optional)-CHECK OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE UNIVERSITY for details
The college essay (instructions in the bellow sections of this subtap=
+ FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION AND ADDITIONAL SUPPORTING FINANCIAL AID DOCUMENNTS
FOR FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION:
Either CSS or ISFAA filled out
Supporting financial documents. attestations from banks, parent's employers , tax forms.....Amount of documents will vary based on your family's financial situation.
YOU SEND ISFAA VIA EMAIL TO COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS. NOT UWC MOSTAR UNIVERSITY COUNSELING!
YOU SEND CSS ONLINE VIA CSS WEBSITE to THE UNIVERSITY WHERE YOU ARE APPLYING! Supporting financial documentations goes via IDOC!!!
CERTIFICATE OF FINANCE-additional document one fills out if applying for fin.aid
FAFSA- is ONLY APPLICABLE FOR US CITIZENTS. If you are US citizent you will fill out FAFSA if you are not US citizent you will not fill out FAFSA
ADDITIONAL/SUPPORTING FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS EXPLAINED(DOCUMENTS YOUR PARENTS/LEGAL GUARDIANS MUST PREPARE FOR YOU):
-Tax forms of the last 2 years- if your country has them. for Federation BIH this is GIP form
-Bank attestation- as many as there are accounts, e.g. both parents have separate accounts in two different banks you need 2 attestations- Attestations needs to have the bank stamp, the signature of the bank official, and currency exchange of your currency = WHAT amount in dollars e.g. 1 BAM/EURO= 1.47 USD on Sept, 23.2021...... Attestation needs to have AMOUNT OF MONEY in SAVINGS, REGULAR ACCOUNT and ANY LOAN/CREDIT that is still not paid off (so the amount of loan, the purpose of the loan, how much of it was repaid, and how much of it is left).
-EMPLOYER ATTESTATION e.g. X person works as TITLE OF POSITION at NAME OF COMPANY earning annually AMOUNT of GROSS INCOME; AMOUNT OF RECEIVED INCOME (NETO) . Attestation needs to be stamped by the company and with signature of the manager/CEO/Director or Human Resource person
- IF parents are in the retirment/unemployed you need attestations that will confirm the reiteremnt/unemplyoed status from relevant authorities e.g. Labor office/Biro za zaposljavanje/ Retirement agency/ministry or which ever institution tracks status of unemployed /in pension people in your country
IF THE ABOVE LISTED DOCUMENTS ARE NOT IN ENGLISH- THEY NEED TO BE TRANSLATED TO ENGLISH,
Either BY OFFICIAL TRANSLATORS (who ever is official translator to English in your own country. for BIH that would be sudski tumac court translators)- You are free to use agency for translation of documents to translate the documents or
You can translate documents yourself if you want to.
kindly note that universities might ask for official translation
CSS WAIVERS- Ask the university to which you are applying to grant you fee waiver- they may or may not grant you fee waiver.
HOW DAVIS SCHOLARHSIP WORKS?
To be eligible for Shelby Davis funds- you need to apply for financial aid (CSS or ISFAA application)!
Meaning you need to submit financial aid application+supporting financial documents to the university to which you are applying!!
. Full list of Davis partners and colleges and universities is on link bellow:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PBl5ji45viIdhVHfGGWkU6MX7F3V2Imd/view
----Full scholarship at university/college (if we are talking about Shelby Davis partner university/college) is usually a combination of Davis scholarship+university own scholarship, To illustrate:
Davis scholarship+university own scholarship= (can equal to) full scholarship
Full scholarship usually covers direct costs (room, meals, tuition). Usually does not cover books, travel to university. Health insurance might be included into scholarship or might not be- All this varies/differs from university to the university
ALL DOCUMENTS and APPLICATION (COMMONAPP AND FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION) MUST ARRIVE TO THE UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE WHERE YOU ARE APPLYING BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE!!!!!!
The general cost associated with university application (if applying to the USA):
-testing fees (ACT or SAT; TOEFL or DUOLINGO)
-translation fees- school transcripts from before UWC (only high school) need to be translated to English
-Translation fees- attestation from the bank, and parent's employers, tax forms- all need to be translated if applying to the financial aid from U.S. schools
You can translate attestations and tax forms, but please be mindful that the university might ask for official translations
-visa cost (varying from country to country, usually above 100 $ one time costs. Visa type F1
- flight costs (varying)
RESOURCES (WEBINARS AND WORKSHOPS):
RESOURCES (WEBINARS AND WORKSHOPS):
UNIVERSITY COUNSELING OFFICE WILL HELD THEMATIC WORKSHOPS, ALSO UWC university counselor network held monthly and biweekly webinars in collaboration with Shelby Davis institutions. To look at schedule of webinars and register:
LIst of Shelby Davis partner schools 2025/26:
LIst of Shelby Davis partner schools 2025/26:
DUWCSP Partner Schools 2025-26.pdfWEBSITES TO RESEARCH US SCHOOLS:
WEBSITES TO RESEARCH US SCHOOLS:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
https://www.collegeconsensus.com/
US government official website for college search:
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
Interesting article on ways you can make your application stand out:
Interesting article on ways you can make your application stand out:
Ways for applicant to stand out
A complete guide to US college application process:
A complete guide to US college application process:
A complete guide to US college application process
HOW TO CONNECT MAIA LEARNING WITH COMMONAP:
HOW TO CONNECT MAIA LEARNING WITH COMMONAP:
1.In your Maia account, click on your Profile, then click on Settings
Scroll down under CommonApp logo and click on sentence :Click to link your account.
A pop up window will appear. Click Continue. You will be redirected to the Common App site. Log in using your Common App account username and password.
VIDEO HOW TO CONNECT COMMONAPP WITH MAIA:
INFO FOR COMMONAPP FOR 2026/2027 cycle:
INFO FOR COMMONAPP FOR 2026/2027 cycle:
TO BE ADDED IN AUGUST OF 2026
FERPA INSTRUCTIONS:
FERPA INSTRUCTIONS:
FERPA AS SHOWN ABOVE:
FERPA AS SHOWN ABOVE:
In CommonAPP -Go to the My Colleges tab. (If you have not already added your colleges, do so.)
Select any of your schools, then go to the Recommenders and FERPA section.
Under FERPA Release Authorization, click Complete Release Authorization.
Read the text on the next screen and click the box to agree.
USEFUL VIDEOS ON GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT US COLLEGE AND 73 QUESTIONS YOUTUBE SERIES:
USEFUL VIDEOS ON GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT US COLLEGE AND 73 QUESTIONS YOUTUBE SERIES:
US Unies_Presentation.pdfIntro to US 1.mp4USA Intro to US 2.mp4Bellow are tutorials and PPTs explaining admissions plans(Introductions to US applications), college essays:
Bellow are tutorials and PPTs explaining admissions plans(Introductions to US applications), college essays:
HOW TO GET INTO A UNIVERSITY (UNI BY UNI):
HOW TO GET INTO A UNIVERSITY (UNI BY UNI):
https://www.collegeadvisor.com/how-to-get-into/
ESSAY GUIDES FOR EACH UNIVERSITY:
ESSAY GUIDES FOR EACH UNIVERSITY:
https://www.collegeadvisor.com/essay-guides/
COLLEGE ESSAY HANDBOOK TO HELP YOU WRITE COLLEGE ESSAY:
COLLEGE ESSAY HANDBOOK TO HELP YOU WRITE COLLEGE ESSAY:
Handout+-+Free+Guide+to+the+Personal+Statement+(2024).pdf
(USA) (ESSAY) 30 seconds video on how to write WHY US? college essay
(USA) (ESSAY) 30 seconds video on how to write WHY US? college essay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDKWMHfy7T0
HOW TO STRUCTURE ESSAYS by College Essay Guy
HOW TO STRUCTURE ESSAYS by College Essay Guy
By CollegeEssayGuy use NARRATIVE structure of essay to talk about OVERCOMING A CHALLENGE, A MONTAGE STRUCTURE if you WRITE ABOUT SKILLS/SKILLSET/TALENT with COMMON THREAD
HOW TO WRITE MONTAGE STRUCTURE ESSAY:
www.collegeessayguy.com/cwiab-student-24-how-to-write-a-montage-essay
HOW TO WRITE NARRATIVE STRUCTURE ESSAY;
www.collegeessayguy.com/cwiab-student-17-narrative-structure-sample-essay
COMMONAPP LIST OF COLLEGES THAT HAVE SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS
COMMONAPP LIST OF COLLEGES THAT HAVE SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAYS
appsupport.commonapp.org/applicantsupport/s/writing-requirements
CommonApp for International Applicants useful information:
CommonApp for International Applicants useful information:
Common App for International Applicants_.pdfCOMMON APP PERSONAL STATEMENT/COLLEGE ESSAY PROMPTS:
COMMON APP PERSONAL STATEMENT/COLLEGE ESSAY PROMPTS:
https://www.commonapp.org/apply/essay-prompts
COMMONAPP Recording of workshop with Mr. Alex Segura and recording of CommonApp section by section breakdown:
COMMONAPP Recording of workshop with Mr. Alex Segura and recording of CommonApp section by section breakdown:
CommonApp mp4.mp4DAVIS PARTNER UNIVERSITIES EXCELL OF WHICH FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION:
DAVIS PARTNER UNIVERSITIES EXCELL OF WHICH FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION:
STEP BY STEP FINANCIAL AID GUIDE-CSS SECTION AND ISFAA SECTIONS EXPLAINED:
STEP BY STEP FINANCIAL AID GUIDE-CSS SECTION AND ISFAA SECTIONS EXPLAINED:
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/financial-aid-international-students#J
Bellow is US financial aid applications explained in detailed- powerpoint
Bellow is US financial aid applications explained in detailed- powerpoint
USA Financial Aid Application Presentation.pdfWAIVERS:
A student can request a CommonApp fee waiver. To do so a student must follow following steps:
WAIVERS:
A student can request a CommonApp fee waiver. To do so a student must follow following steps:
Student requests fee waiver through CommonApp website
The student must integrate Maia Learning with CommonApp- to do so please follow the instructions in the Maia Learning
A counselor can then approve CommonApp fee waiver through Maia learning (please note this can not be done if a student has not
integrated Maia Learning with CommonApp)
All students whose family earn less than 30,000 USD on annual basis can ask for waiver
HOW TO ADD FEE WAIVER TO COMMONAPP:
CSS FEE WAIVER:
CSS FEE WAIVER:
If a student HAS BEEN APPROVED CommonApp application fee waiver, student can write to the universities he/she is applying to to inquire about CSS fee waiver.
-------TEMPLATE OF E-MAIL ASKING FOR CSS WAUVER WHICH YOU CAN SEND TO UNIVERSITIS TO ADMISSIONS EMAIL:
Dear Admission and financial aid office
My name is __________.UWC Mostar current Year 2 student. I am preparing my application and notice your institution requires CSS, unfortunately, CSS fees present a significant financial burden for me and my family. Thus, is there a possibility of obtaining CSS waiver?
Thank you in advance.
Please let me know if I should provide more information or documentation,
I am looking forward to hearing from you,
Sincerely,
Your name and surname
SCHOLARSHIPS BASED ON CITIZENSHIP:
---There is special scholarship for Bhutanese students at Cornell University.
Below is press release:
-Vera scholarships at DePauw University- for Balkan student:
EXAMPLE OF ISFAA PDF and ISAFA PDF Bellow::
EXAMPLE OF ISFAA PDF and ISAFA PDF Bellow::
NOTE: ISFAA THIS IS LAST YEARS- CHECK UNIVERSITY OWN WEBSITE FOR THE MOST RECENT FORM
ISAFA is ok- you can download it and use it
2425_Intl_Student_Fin_Aid_App.pdfISAFA FORM:
ISAFA.pdfINSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FILL OUT ISFAA:
INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO FILL OUT ISFAA:
Screen Recording 2020-09-07 at 13.37.45.movPLEASE NOTE THAT ON THE LEFT IS TUTORIAL FOR FINANCIAL AID
BELOW IS MOCK CSS PROFILE SO YOU CAN SEE HOW IT LOOKS BEFORE GOING INTO CSS AND ADDITIONAL INFO. IN ADDITION BELLOW IS STUDENT GUIDE AND OLD EXAMPLE OF CSS WHICH BREAK DOWNS WHAT EACH QUESTION ACTUALLY MEAN:
BELOW IS MOCK CSS PROFILE SO YOU CAN SEE HOW IT LOOKS BEFORE GOING INTO CSS AND ADDITIONAL INFO. IN ADDITION BELLOW IS STUDENT GUIDE AND OLD EXAMPLE OF CSS WHICH BREAK DOWNS WHAT EACH QUESTION ACTUALLY MEAN:
NOTE THAT THIS IS JUST SO YOU CAN SEE IT BEFORE GOING INTO CSS! CSS IS ONLINE!! YOU FILL IT OUT ONLINE VIS CSS WEBSITE! PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO STUDENT GUIDE!
CSS Profile Mockup_202021.pdfcss-profile-student-guide.pdfCSS BREAKDOWN OF ALL CSS QUESTIONS AND WHAT THEY MEAN:
http://162.144.46.98/~niccpcom/wp/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2019-2020_CSS_Profile.pdf
STEP BY STEP FINANCIAL AID GUIDE:
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/financial-aid-international-students
US NEWS STEP BY STEP TUTORIAL FOR CSS:
EDUCATIONUSA VIDEOS - CSS INSCTRUCTION:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwbxtLyMWl0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPSq1TXkEFQ
LIST OF SCHOOLS THAT REQUIRE CSS:
https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/an-ultimate-guide-to-understanding-college-financial-aid?src=edu_advice6
CCC profile- introduction to and how to fill it out:
CCC profile- introduction to and how to fill it out:
WHAT TO DO WITH CSS IF YOU PARENTS ARE DIVORCED?
You need a Noncustodial CSS route- if you are not in contact with one parent you can request waiver for noncustodial parent,
Here is link where everything is explained:
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/profile-for-parents
Waiver for non custodial parent link:
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/css-profile-waiver-request-non-custodial-parent.pdf
IDOC COMES AFTER CSS- YOU MUST SUBMIT CSS, THEN USE IDOC TO SEND YOUR DOCUMENTS!
FOR IDOC YOU WILL BE GRANTED ACESS BY COLLEGEBOARD AND SHOULD RECEIVE AN EMAIL FROM COLLEGBOARD- NOT UNIVERSITY COUNSELING!
IDOC comes AFTER CSS,
IDOC comes AFTER CSS,
STEP BY STEP:
STEP BY STEP:
1.SUBMIT CSS,
2.GET EMAIL FROM COLLEGEBOARD
3.FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS IN THE EMAIL
WHAT IS IDOC?
IDOC (Institutional Documentation Service)
. Students who are required to submit documents will receive an email from the College Board with login details to IDOC provided.
In IDOC, students will be asked to upload documents such as tax forms, bank statements, and/or other financial aid documents for you and your parents.
WHEN TO SUBMIT CSS and COMMONAPP?
BY the UNIVERSITY DEADLINE (if you are doing early eaction/early decision/restrictive early action deadline is November 1st).
WE suggest you submit few days ahead of deadline though to avoid any issues or technical issues.
CAN UC OFFICE SEE/HELP WITH IDOC?
-Unfortunately no, it is solely your responsiblity
THERE IS NEW FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION CALLES ISAFA:
_-IT IS ONLINE FORM MADE BY INTERNATIONAL ACAC ORGANIZATION
---FREE TO DOWLOAD AND SUBMIT
--Before submitting see notes:
NOTES:
We encourage students to contact the financial aid offices directly at the colleges and universities to which they are applying with questions about completing the ISAFA and applying for financial aid, as policies and procedures vary by institution.
Once completed and if a college or university has confirmed they are willing to accept these forms, applicants should send their forms to the colleges and universities directly.
LINK TO ISAFA (you can dowload it via link)
https://intlacac.memberclicks.net/assets/FinancialAidResources/International%20Student%20Application%20for%20Financial%20Assistance%202022%2011.05.2021.pdf
HOW TO EMAIL FINANCIAL AID+DRAFT OF EMAIL YOU CAN SEND TO ADMISISONS- FINANCIAL AID APPEAL TEMPLATE
If your financial aid offer by the university/college is not something viable for you or your family, you can appeal financial aid.
HOW TO APPEAL?
In general, I suggest you appeal for financial aid if needed- in essence, write the letter stating and outlining why you need more scholarships and what change from the time of applying until now (in financial terms).
Here is useful website:
https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/financial-aid-appeal-letter
-----CLICK ON LINK HERE
You can draft a letter and send it to the admissions and financial aid office of the university/college where you want to appeal via email.Make sure that the email accompanying the letter is nicely written, feel free to adapt my draft below:
DO NOT USE SAME EMAIL FOR MULTIPLE COLLEGES-ADAPT IT!
Here is a draft of email:
Adapt email to suit the specific question
Draft of email
Dear admission and financial aid office
My name is __________.UWC Mostar current Year 2 student.I was delighted to see the admission decision. Thank you very much! NAME OF UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE (e.g. Harvard)______ is my top choice and I would be delighted to join the next _____________(NAME OF UNIVERSITY COLLEGE on blank space) class.
However, I have questions in regards to financial aid and was hoping you could help me.
I am incredibly grateful for the scholarships offered. However, the remaining amount my family has to pay represents a significant financial burden for us. I was hoping if there is a possibility to set up meeting to discuss financial aid or is there a possibility for revaluation of financial aid?
To prove the need for more financial aid I am attaching financial aid appeal letter,
Thank you in advance.
Please let me know if I should provide more information or documentation,
I am looking forward to hearing from you,
Sincerely,
____________________________
write YOUR LAST AND FIRST NAME on line above
Bellow is 10 applications mistakes and how to avoid them and instructions about medical and architecture programs in USA:
Bellow is 10 applications mistakes and how to avoid them and instructions about medical and architecture programs in USA:
How to get off of waiting list resources+ Third party scholarship
How to get off of waiting list resources+ Third party scholarship
In addition, you might be interested in third party scholarships (if you were not given full scholarships) ,
The amount of scholarship and type (whether is financial aid, university one, or Shelby Davis) should be CLEARLY listed on your award/offer letter which you should receive in the email directly from the university/college.
It is your responsibility to check whether your university/colleges accept third party scholarships,
If they do here are some useful directories of such scholarships:
Here are some useful website- directories of scholarships:
https://www.internationalstudent.com/scholarships/
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/scholarships-available-us-international-students
UPENN VIDEO PRESENTATION- Click on UPENN to VIEW
MIT- WHO GETS IN?- Click on MIT to view
INTERVIEW WORKSHOP-recording+ppt:+DOS AND DONTS OF USA COLLEGE INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW WORKSHOP-recording+ppt:+DOS AND DONTS OF USA COLLEGE INTERVIEW
zoom_0.mp4Interview Workshop.pptxdos-and-donts-of-college-interviews.pdfHOW TO RESPOND TO UNIVERSITIES OFFERS/DECISIONS- TEMPLATE OF EMAILS:
HOW TO RESPOND TO UNIVERSITIES OFFERS/DECISIONS- TEMPLATE OF EMAILS:
As you are getting responses from universities do not forget that you need to reply to universities by May 1st.
To help you reply to universities/colleges please see below:
Here is a draft of emails that you can use:
IF YOU ACCEPT THE OFFER:
Dear
I am thrilled with the acceptance and scholarship offered and deeply grateful and honored to have been selected as part of the new class!
I hereby accept the offer and will arrive on campus for the fall semester. Please send me additional relevant information,
Thank you in advance,
I look forward to your response,
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME AND LAST NAME
IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THE OFFER: i.e. you are not going to that university/college
Dear,
Thank you for the acceptance and scholarship offered! I was thrilled to find out I was accepted to your institution. However, after deep reflection and much thinking I regret to inform you that I will not be coming in the fall.
Thank you once again for your time, work and consideration,
Sincerely,
YOUR FIRST AND LAST NAME
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