The US Government Community College Initiative Program for international students (CCI) offers financial aid for students to attend a community college in the United States for up to one academic year. In their areas of study, participants may obtain credentials in addition to developing technical skills. Participants improve their English language skills while becoming more immersed in American culture and daily life through professional internships, service learning, and community engagement activities. Participants in the CCI Program are chosen from historically underserved and underrepresented groups. Participants take new knowledge and skills with them when they leave the program, enabling them to contribute to their nation’s economic progress.
Participants study in one of the following eligible fields: agriculture, applied engineering, business management and administration, early childhood education, information technology, media, public safety, and tourism and hospitality management.
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US Community College Initiative Program Details
- Type: Internship
- organisation: US Government
- Country to study: United States
- School to study: Community College
- Course to study: View courses below
- State of Origin
- Gender: Men and Women
- Application DeadlineDecember 16, 2022
Aim and Benefits of US Community College Initiative Program For International Students
The Community College Initiative Program (CCI) offers financial aid for students to attend a community college in the United States for up to one academic year. In their areas of study, participants may obtain credentials in addition to developing technical skills. Participants improve their English language skills while becoming more immersed in American culture and daily life through professional internships, service learning, and community engagement activities.
US Community College Initiative Program Courses
- Agriculture
- Applied Engineering
- Business Management and Administration
- Early Childhood Education
- Information Technology
- Media
- Public Safety
- Tourism and Hospitality Management.
The CCI Program only offers courses in the designated concentration areas mentioned on the summaries of the 2023–2024 CCI fields of study that are attached to this application. In addition to choosing and ranking their top three subfield options within one chosen field of study, applicants must be enthusiastic about studying in any subfield.
Individual colleges provide a variety of courses and degree options. For the first two years of a four-year Bachelor’s degree, all universities offer introductory courses. The CCI Program does not provide advanced courses in particular fields. To create a customized program plan within their chosen field of study and emphasis area, participants will collaborate with their program coordinators at each host college. Participants should build their objectives broadly within these concentrations and disciplines of study. Participants should outline their precise interests in their chosen fields of study and potential concentration areas, as well as any relevant experience and long-term objectives, in this application.
Eligibility Requirements
Without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geography, socioeconomic status, disability (physical or mental), sexual orientation, or gender identity, anybody who satisfies the CCI eligibility requirements mentioned below is welcome to apply. Applications from people with impairments are strongly welcomed. Anyone is eligible to apply for the merit-based CCI Program, which is open to those who:
- Is a citizen, national or permanent resident qualified to hold a valid passport issued by a country participating in the CCI Program.
- Is currently residing in the eligible country.
- Is 18 years or older by July 1, 2023.
- Has successfully earned a secondary school diploma.
- Has not completed the equivalent of three years toward a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher in the field of study the applicant is nominated to pursue. Nominees without substantive post-secondary education will be given placement priority.
- Has demonstrated commitment to the selected field of study through some academic or professional experience. The program aims to identify participants with proven skills or interest and limited professional experience in the fields of study offered.
- Has basic working knowledge of English language as demonstrated by a minimum TOEFL score of 420. (Note: To enroll in credit-bearing courses in an academic field of study, the applicant must meet the minimum language requirements of the host college—usually 500 on the TOEFL test or equivalent scores on other standardized tests. English language training will be necessary and is available for those who do not demonstrate this level of proficiency. Participants with a score below 500 must have an interest in taking English language classes as a primary academic focus; they will have very limited access to courses in their field of study. Participant language skills will be evaluated upon arrival at the host institution. A host campus testing result will be the score used to determine course placements.)
- Has limited or no overseas study experience. Nominees with no prior overseas study or travel to the United States will be given placement priority.
- Meets any customized requirements of the home country Embassy/Consulate or Commission.
- Submits a complete original application.
- Is able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa and meet the program conditions to maintain that status.
- Is willing and mentally and physically able (with accommodations as required) to complete the program in its entirety, giving equal importance to all five pillars, including activities or travel that may be programmed on any day of the week, possibly including early morning or evening hours.
- Is committed to returning to their home country after completion of the program and satisfying the J-visa two-year residency requirement.
- Is able to begin the academic exchange program in the United States in July 2023.
Ineligibility
Individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible for the Community College Initiative Program:
- U.S. citizens.
- Non-U.S. citizens living in the United States.
- Individuals currently participating in academic, training, or research programs in the United States.
- Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of the eligible countries.
- Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government for a period of more than six weeks and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of their CCI application.
- Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency.
- Local employees of the U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Employees are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment.
- Immediate family members (i.e., spouses and children) of U.S. Embassy and Fulbright Commission employees. Family members are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment.
- Persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations).
How are Applicants Selected
The recruitment and nomination of candidates in the eligible countries is administered by the Fulbright Commission or the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy. CCI awards are not Fulbright awards. See location details below for contacts in participating countries and to ask for more information about application eligibility requirements.
Award Value
The Community College Initiative Program (CCI) offers financial aid for students to attend a community college in the United States for up to one academic year. In their areas of study, participants may obtain credentials in addition to developing technical skills. Participants improve their English language skills while becoming more immersed in American culture and daily life through professional internships, service learning, and community engagement activities.
How To Apply For US Government Community College Initiative Program
• Submit a completed original application with signature on the last page.
• Each applicant must complete their own application form. Applicants may consult with others for advice on how to complete the form, but each applicant must write their own responses.
• Please answer ALL questions on the application in English. Do NOT leave a space blank. If a question does not apply to you, enter N/A (not applicable).
• Include your full legal name with family name (surname) in CAPITAL LETTERS first as spelled on your international passport (if available).
• Include complete contact information, including postal codes for addresses and city/country codes for phone numbers.
• Handwritten applications must be neatly printed.
• Submit the application by the deadline established by the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission located in your country.
Official Program Website: Visit This Link
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