Opportunity Initiative Grants

During a recent visit to the Jakarta Office of AMINEF’s EducationUSA office Dorothy Mora the Program Officer for East Asia Pacific Educational Information and Resources Branch of ECA met and presented the first 3 Opportunity Grants Initiative Awards to grantees. The awards are designed to assist students who wish to study in the USA in taking the first steps in that process. Awards are quite flexible and include but are not limited to, awards for important components of the process such as TOEFL or GRE preparation and testing, translation of documents, application fees to the US institutions, grants for airfare to testing sites and accommodations while at the site, and even possible assistance with supplementing tuition costs. The first 4 successful grantees are:

1. Fajar Arianto
He will receive grants for TOEFL preparation, and the iBT test. He graduated from Gadjah Mada with GPA of 3.57 in political science, he is in the process of school selection and would like to pursue and MBA or a Masters in International Relations.

2. Josua Pardede
He will receive the iBT test fee. Josua graduated from the University of Indonesia in Engineering with a GPA of 3.05. He would like to pursue a Masters in economics and is now in the process of selecting a school. He is preparing for the test and looking for any possible financial aid.

3. Elizabeth Juliane Latief
She will receive a grant for the TOEFL test. She graduated from Universitas Atmajaya majoring in management with the GPA 3.42. She is in the process of school selection and studying for test preparation.

4. Elis Supriati
She will receive a grant for TOEFL preparation and the testing fee. Elis has graduated from Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta majoring in public health with a GPA of 3.31. She would like to pursue an Masters Program in public health.
Opportunity Grants: Helping You Take the Next Step Toward Study in the U.S.!

Opportunity Grants are support for talented international students who may need financial need help to take the next steps toward study in the United States at an accredited institution of higher learning.

These grants are available now to help cover the upfront costs of seeking higher education in the U.S., and are part of EducationUSA’s broad range of assistance to international students.

We want to demonstrate that international students like you are welcome in the U.S., and are increase access to U.S. institutions of higher learning for deserving students who have broad interests and ambitions but modest means. These grants make it possible for students who would be otherwise unable to afford the costly application process to take the next step toward an education in the United States.

What can the Grants pay for?

* Testing fees, including additional score reports, for TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT and other specialized tests required by U.S. institutions
* Round-trip transportation and, if necessary, overnight accommodation and meals at testing sites located far from the student’s home
* Application fees for U.S. institutions to which the student is applying
* International courier fees to ensure the student’s application package reaches U.S. institutions
* Cost of translations and certifications of the student’s official documents and records
* Cost of international telephone or internet communications with receiving institution for the purpose and admissions interview or to finalize details
* Cost relating to applying for appropriate U.S. visa
* Round trip transportation to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and, if necessary, overnight accommodation and meals
* Transportation to the U.S. to the institution where student will begin studies
* Advanced English lessons for specialized uses to enhance student’s competitiveness in his/her academic field (i.e. technical English, scientific English, business English, etc.)
* A one time settling in allowance
* Limited financial aid to supplement assistance offered by an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning when the offer falls short of meeting the student’s needs


How to apply

* Contact and adviser at the nearest EducationUSA Advising Center for details
* Pick up the application form at EducationUSA Advising Center nearest you or download at www.aminef.or.id
* Complete all sections of the application form. If you have no answers for certain section, please write: NONE DO NOT LEAVE ANY SECTION BLANK
* Attach all supporting documents required.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
- 1 (one) copy of high school diploma (STTB) if any (does not have to be translated)
- 1 (one) copy of high school transcript (does not have to be translated)
- 1 (one) copy of college/university transcript (does not have to be translated)
- 1 (one) copy of college/university diploma – if any ( does not have to be translated)
- Copy of all certificates or awards received
- Personal Statement (Essay): In fewer than 250 words please describe your interest in studying in the United States. What kind of Opportunity Grant are you considered?
* All completed application forms (including all necessary supporting documents) must be send to one of the EducationUSA Advising Centers as follow:

JAKARTA:
Gedung Balai Pustaka 6th Fl.
Jl. Gunung Sahari Raya No. 4
Jakarta 10720
Ph. 345 2016; Fax. 345 2050

SURABAYA:
Ratna Widjaja
c/o Universitas Surabaya 2nd Fl.
International Village Building
Jl. Raya Kalirungkut – Tenggilis
Surabaya 60293, Jawa Timur
Ph. (031) 847 1809; Fax. (031) 298 1321

MEDAN:
Donna Ria Pasaribu
c/o Yayasan Pendidikan Indonesia Amerika
Jl. Mansur III no. 1-A
Medan 20121, Sumatra Utara
Ph. (061) 821 1074; Fax. (061) 821 1240

MALANG:
Umiati Jawas
c/o Universitas Muhammadyah Madang (UMM)
Gedung Perpustakaan
Jl. Raya Tlogomas 246
Madang 65144, Jawa Timur
Ph./Fax. (0341) 463 345

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Source :
http://www.aminef.or.id/aminef.php?m=newsevent
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