The U.S. South Pacific Scholarship Program (USSP) offers a remarkable opportunity for students from Pacific Island countries to pursue higher education at the University of Hawaii. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this fully funded scholarship is designed to support students in earning either a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in fields that are critical to the development needs of their home countries.
Priority areas include agriculture, business, education, environmental studies, gender studies, public health, and STEM fields, among others. The program not only covers all tuition and fees but also provides housing, health insurance, and a living stipend, ensuring that recipients can focus entirely on their studies. In addition to academic support, the scholarship includes mentoring, opportunities for summer internships, and involvement in host family and volunteer service programs, enriching the overall experience and fostering cultural exchange.
Get the Youth Opportunities iOS App here for the fully-funded opportunities.
The selection process is highly competitive, with input from U.S. Embassies and an academic review committee. Eligible candidates must demonstrate a strong academic background and a clear commitment to contributing to their communities. While preference is given to those who have not had previous extensive experience in the United States or outside the Pacific Islands region, the program is open to a wide range of applicants, including those who may need additional preparation before starting a Master’s program.
In this scholarship program, students not only gain valuable educational qualifications but also develop a broader understanding of the United States, equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to drive positive change in their home countries. This program is a gateway to both personal and professional growth, offering participants a unique blend of academic excellence and cultural enrichment.
Youth Opportunities invites you to join your preferred channel to get the latest updates directly to your messenger inbox.
- Youth Opportunities: https://m.me/j/AbZTmgEzD1UchDte/
- Fully Funded Conferences: https://m.me/j/AbZTfhFTiPCnXf2D/
- Full Scholarships: https://m.me/j/AbbrjbkOMM6I68Cs/
- Paid Internships/Jobs: https://m.me/j/AbaAskb6jFFnRser/
- Circle: https://m.me/j/AbY0vVKSPJULUnE4/
Location:
United StatesBenefits
- Fully Funded Education: The scholarship covers all costs associated with pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at the University of Hawai‘i. This includes tuition, fees, housing, health insurance, and a stipend for living expenses, removing financial barriers and allowing students to focus on their studies.
- Round-Trip Airfare: The program provides round-trip airfare between the student’s home country and Hawaii, ensuring that travel expenses are not a burden on the recipients.
- Diverse Academic Opportunities: Students can pursue degrees in fields that are directly relevant to the development needs of their home countries, such as agriculture, business, environmental studies, public health, and STEM fields, among others. This aligns their education with the practical needs of their communities.
- Mentoring and Internship Opportunities: The program includes a mentoring component, offering guidance and support from experienced professionals. There is also the potential for a follow-on summer internship, providing valuable hands-on experience in the student’s field of study.
- Cultural Exchange and Networking: Recipients have the opportunity to engage in cultural exchange through host family programs and volunteer service opportunities. This fosters a deeper understanding of American culture while building international networks.
- Personal and Professional Growth: The scholarship helps students develop a broader understanding of the world, enhancing their personal and professional growth. The skills and knowledge gained through this experience equip them to become leaders and change-makers in their home countries.
- Priority for Community Impact: The program prioritizes students whose studies will directly benefit their communities, ensuring that the education they receive is applied to the development of their home regions.
Eligibilities
- Bachelor’s Scholarship: Applicants must have completed secondary school by the deadline for submitting a university application for admission to their undergraduate program. In some countries this means having completed “Form 6.” In other countries, this may mean having completed “Grade 12.” Individuals who have completed some undergraduate level courses but have not obtained the equivalent of a U.S. four-year bachelor’s degree are also eligible and strongly encouraged to apply.
- Master’s Scholarship: Applicants must have completed at least a three-year baccalaureate program. Those with a three-year Bachelor’s degree may apply for a bridging program of up to one year, which upon completion allows for application to a master’s degree program. Master’s programs may not require a bridging component, depending on prior study and academic performance during the first year. The USSP program does not generally permit direct application and admission to a graduate degree program. Those who possess both a bachelor’s degree and a post-graduate diploma or honors degree, or will have earned a post-graduate diploma or honors degree before the scholarship’s August start date, are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Because an objective of the program is to provide an educational exchange experience to those not previously afforded such an opportunity, preference will usually be given to candidates who have not had recent extensive experience in the United States. Preference may also be given to candidates who have not had extensive opportunities for study at educational institutions outside the Pacific Islands region.
- Note: Individuals who have dual citizenship, one being that of the United States, are not eligible. U.S. non-citizen nationals and U.S. permanent residents are also not eligible for USSP. All scholarship recipients must be able to meet the requirements of the Exchange Visitor (J-1 visa) program.
Application Process
- Eligibility Check: Verify that you meet the eligibility criteria, which include being a citizen of one of the eligible Pacific Island countries (e.g., Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa), not holding dual U.S. citizenship, and having the appropriate educational background (secondary school completion for bachelor’s applicants, and a bachelor’s degree for master’s applicants).
- Online Application: Access the online application platform via the East-West Center’s website. It is recommended to create a Submittable account to save your progress and return to the application at a later time if needed.
- Supporting Documents: Submit a copy of your passport or another government-issued ID, certified academic transcripts sent directly to the East-West Center, three letters of reference on the USSP form from academic or professional sources, and TOEFL or IELTS test scores if available (not mandatory for initial application).
- Essay Questions: Complete the essay questions included in the application. These essays are an important part of the selection process, allowing you to demonstrate your academic and professional goals, leadership potential, and how your education will benefit your home country.
- Application Submission: Ensure all sections of the application are complete, and submit the application by the deadline, which is January 15, 2025 (Hawaii Standard Time). It is advisable to submit the application well before the deadline to avoid any last-minute issues.
- Selection Process: After submission, applications are reviewed by a U.S.-based academic committee, which will consider academic merit, leadership potential, civic engagement, and other factors. Successful candidates will be notified through the East-West Center’s website.
- Visa and Preparations: If selected, you will be required to apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. You will also need to prepare for your studies and eventual relocation to the University of Hawaii at Mānoa.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2025 (118 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
