Special Programs

EducationUSA offers a multitude of programs for international students that U.S. Higher education professionals can become involved with.

Opportunity Funds Program
The EducationUSA Opportunity Funds program assists highly qualified students who are likely to be awarded full financial aid from U.S. colleges and universities, but lack the financial resources to cover the up-front costs to apply, such as testing, application fees, or airfare.

Each Opportunity Funds student undergoes a selective process of evaluation by an EducationUSA adviser, Regional Educational Advising Managers (REAC), and the Public Affairs Section of a U.S. Embassy/Consulate. In addition to academic abilities, Opportunity Funds students bring cultural and socio-economic diversity to U.S. campuses. More than 100 colleges and universities have enrolled Opportunity Funds students since 2006.

There are more than 50 countries around the world that receive Opportunity Funds. The list of participating countries changes slightly each year depending on individual country needs, Department, ECA, and EducationUSA priorities, and the budget situation.  If you are a U.S. higher education representative, request a login to contact the Regional Educational Advising Manager for the region(s) that interests you and request more information and a list of currently participating countries.

EducationUSA Academy
The EducationUSA Academy is a three-to-four week summer academic program which provides English language courses, college preparatory content, tours of diverse colleges and universities, and cross-cultural activities for self-funded 15- to 17-year-old students from around the world. Students receive an overview of secondary and higher education systems in the United States and the U.S. college/university admissions process, develop critical thinking and leadership skills, and participate in enriching cultural and social activities. The long-term goal of the EducationUSA Academy is to create a pipeline to U.S. higher education for international high school students who may not have considered undergraduate study in the United States. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is pleased to have a cooperative agreement with the Institute for International Education (IIE) to administer the Academy.

EducationUSA Academy sessions will not be held in-person in 2021. EducationUSA Academy programming will be offered virtually by select host institutions. Please see the program website for updates and additional information on summer 2021 program offerings

MOOC Camp
MOOC Camps are facilitated discussions around massive open online courses (MOOCs), Open Courseware, and other free online courses. They are hosted at U.S. embassies, consulates, American Spaces, and in other public venues around the world. Facilitated discussions are led by alumni who have participated in U.S. government exchange programs, such as the Fulbright program, and/or by U.S. embassy/consulate staff who are familiar with the course materials and volunteer their time. U.S. embassies and consulates in more than 60 countries are currently participating in MOOC Camps with subjects ranging from entrepreneurship and college writing to science and technology. Course content is drawn from major MOOC providers, including Coursera, EdX, and Udacity as well as from multiple Open CourseWare providers.

EducationUSA Training Institutes
EducationUSA facilitates several virtual training institutes in the United States for EducationUSA advisers.  For more information, please visit the website of our implementing partner, IIE

Competitive College Clubs
EducationUSA Competitive College Clubs (CCC) are cohort-based advising programs that help the best and brightest students apply to competitive U.S. colleges and universities. CCC advisers work intensively to prepare students for the application process. CCCs are open to students in grades 8-11 who are in the top 10% of their class.

CCC advisers organize student activities, including study groups, intensive SAT and ACT preparation, reading assignments, lectures, and community service projects. Students sign a contract detailing their responsibilities, which include attending all meetings during the school year and summer sessions.

While there are no guarantees that a CCC student will be accepted to a U.S. college or university, this intensive group advising provides extra support for motivated, high-performing students. Some CCC students also qualify for the Opportunity Funds program. EducationUSA advisers also work with CCC students to develop an alternative education plan in case studying in the United States does not work out for them.