1. What is the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative?
The U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative is an investment in Egypt’s future that provides educational opportunities for high-achieving Egyptians to acquire skills that will better meet the needs of the 21st-century economy. The Initiative encourages partnerships between Egyptian and American universities for knowledge transfer, research, and joint degree programs that reflect the needs of the modern economy in critical disciplines such as agribusiness, engineering, and entrepreneurship. It provides scholarships for talented young Egyptians - women and men from underserved communities in rural and urban areas - to Egyptian and American universities in fields that will help them reach their aspirations and contribute to Egypt’s economic prosperity.
2. What is the Public University Scholarships?
The Public University Scholarships is one of the components of the U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative. The program awards scholarships to over 600 Thanaweyya Amma graduates over five years (high school graduates in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) to study in the excellence sections in one of the top public universities in Egypt: Cairo, Ain Shams, Alexandria, Mansoura, and Assuit. The program recipients will also receive additional beneficial trainings and participate in other activities throughout the years of their study.
3. What are the excellence sections?
The excellence sections are fee-based sections at Egyptian public universities in which the language of instruction is English. The program is collaborating with excellence programs in five universities — Cairo, Mansoura, Alexandria, Assiut, and Ain Shams Universities.
4. Who can apply?
Egyptian students who graduated from public schools with score of 85% or more in their third year of Thanwya Amma and who have been nominated through the Tansiq office of the faculties and universities listed below. The scholarship is also for students with special needs.
5. What are the fields of study?
Ain Shams University: Faculties (Engineering), (Computer Science), (Commerce)
Alexandria University: Faculties (Science; Only IMAC and Computer and Media Science Departments), (Agriculture), and (Commerce; exclusively for visually impaired students)
Assuit University: Faculties (Engineering), (Computer Science), (Science; only Industrial Chemistry)
Cairo University: Faculties (Engineering, Economics, Mass Communication)
Mansoura University: Faculties (Engineering), (Computer Science), (Science; only Biotechnology)
6. Can I still apply if my Tansiq results is none of the mentioned faculties/ universities?
You must be placed by the Tansiq office in one of the mentioned faculties/universities at the time of application (by August 16) to be eligible for the scholarship.
7. What is the number of scholarships?
673 awards were made between 2015 and 2019.
8. What does the program cover?
- Tuition fees and ongoing academic support
- Housing and meals for on-campus students
- Intensive English course and study skills program
- Leadership, character building, and business development training
- Mentoring and networking activities
- Internship and summer training in the field of study
- Summer community development project
- Semester or summer abroad for selected students
- Job search and placement support after graduation
9. Will all students get a chance to study abroad?
Only the top 65% of scholarship students will study abroad in the United States.
10. If I receive the scholarship, will you also cover my transportation to university if I live in a remote city?
Yes, the scholarship will cover the transportation between home and university once per year.
11. If I need to live at the university because it is far from my home, will you cover the cost of the university dormitory?
Yes, the scholarship covers the cost of accommodation and meals in university hostels or other comparable housing for students who are unable to live near campus with family members.
12. How many days and how much time am I expected to dedicate to the training programs?
The enhancement, leadership, community work and other activities are intensive and will take up most of your summer and midyear holidays for at least the first two years.
The program students are expected to participate in all program activities.
13. What certificate/degree will I obtain when I finish this program?
You will obtain your bachelor's degree in your field of study from the public university you attended. You will also receive a certificate for the enhancement program you attended (including the English course, the leadership training etc.). You may also receive certificates or letters from the companies you interned with and the NGO where you completed your project. For those studying abroad in the United States, you will receive a transcript of your studies at the university.
14. Will the program certificate be accepted by employers in Egypt and abroad?
Your degree will be accepted as any other Egyptian university degree. The program will prepare you through training, summer internships, and linkages with businesses to acquire required skills for employment.
15. I do not have a computer, but I have access to the internet from my phone. Can I use that to apply?
Yes, you can. You can also use the computers at the listed faculties/universities.
16. How can I apply? And what does the application require?
Application required thorough completion of the online application with your correct data and submission before the deadline. Application attachments included:
- Tansiq nomination letter
- Certificates of third year secondary school
- Student record issued from school student affairs in case of warnings or suspension
- Brief of extra-curricular activities
- National ID
- Parents' financial statement (Bank statement – Electricity bill)
- Parental consent letter
Note that incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration, so please make sure you complete your application before submitting.
17. Do I have to submit the application from the first trial?
You can save your application, then submit it once it is complete. Applications must be submitted before the deadline to be considered.
18. The excellence programs are taught in English. Do I need a specific English score to apply?
No English score is needed to apply to the scholarship and English ability is not a requirement for selection. However, since the scholarship’s academic and supplemental courses are in English, you should be prepared to work hard to study and improve your English while on the scholarship. Amideast will provide finalists with English training courses. (The faculty of Mass Communication is the only exception; they have a required English test that students will have to pass to join the excellence program.)
