The Palestinian Affairs Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and EducationUSA are pleased to announce scholarships for Palestinian students to participate in the 2022 Summer EducationUSA Academy Connects program. EducationUSA Academy Connects is a pre-college academic virtual program for high school students ages 15-17 who are interested in studying in the United States. The program offers specialized college preparatory content, college-level writing workshops, and cultural activities. The 6-week online programs at University of Colorado Boulder and St. Cloud State University offer core college preparation for international high school students in grades 10 and 11.
Program Overview: Selected applicants will win a scholarship for one of two programs offered.
1. University of Colorado Boulder: ‘Application Ready!’
- June 21st–July 28th (two days a week from 4:00pm-5:30pm Jerusalem local time)
- Learn about the U.S. university system and the college application process • Write a compelling personal statement or essay for college applications
- Engage in question-and-answer sessions with college admissions representatives
- Meet international undergraduates currently attending U.S. universities
- Learn effective test-taking strategies
- Take virtual college campus tours
2. St. Cloud State University: ‘Constructing your Personal Statement Essay’
- July12th –August 18th (two days a week from 7:00pm-8:30pm Jerusalem local time)
- Learn about the U.S. university system through workshops and panel discussions
- Improve academic writing and personal essay writing strategies
- Discover academic options and the U.S. university major and minor system
- Build a professional network with Career Center Officers
- Meet with international college students and faculty
- Take virtual college campus tours
Eligibility Criteria: Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates applying for the EducationUSA Academy Connects Scholarship Program should:
- Be Palestinians living in and attending schools in Jerusalem, the West Bank, or Gaza. (Note: U.S. citizens –including dual nationals and green card holders –are not eligible to apply)
- Be enrolled in 10th or 11th grade
- Demonstrate academic excellence
- 100% commitment to complete all 6-weeks
- Have intermediate to advanced English language skills (i.e., B1, B2 or higher on the CEFR) • Have a strong interest in applying to U.S. universities and colleges
Application Deadline and Inquiries:
- Apply here: https://forms.gle/aaPxjz2D7QTY4sNc8
- Apply by Saturday, April 2, 2022.
- Incomplete applications will not be accepted or considered for review.
- Only short-listed students will be contacted for a virtual interview.
- Parents must sign and approve the student’s participation and full commitment prior to the interview.
- Full attendance is mandatory for all virtual workshops or sessions. If the student does not fulfill the requirements and attendance or withdraws, they will be required to reimburse the total tuition of the program.
For more information, please reach out to EducationUSA advisors.
- Jerusalem and West Bank Applicants: Email ramallah@educationusa.org or call 02-240-8023 ext. 112 or 103
- Gaza Applicants: Email gaza@educationusa.org or call 08-282-4635 ext. 102