Scholarship Information
Costs
As a part of the application process, applicants requesting F-1 or J-1 status must submit proof of financial support for the first year of study. Costs for attending KU depend on length of study and major. Total estimated expenses for undergraduates for the 2009-2010 academic year range from $28,822.00 to $34,111.00, depending upon the major. KU ISSS Admissions offers several types of merit-based scholarships to new international undergraduate students. However, KU ISSS Admissions does not offer scholarships based on financial need nor full scholarships that pay for all expenses.
KU ISSS Admissions awards some non-renewable partial, merit-based scholarships for the first year of study. KU also collaborates with the Institute of International Education (IIE) to award several renewable tuition scholarships to new undergraduate students with outstanding academic and leadership profiles. The KU-IIE Scholarship is available only to international undergraduate students who are entering the U.S. from outside the USA in F-1 or J-1 status in the Fall semester. Scholarships are highly competitive and are awarded to the top candidates in the applicant pool after they have been admitted. The office will contact you if you are being considered for a scholarship. To compete for a scholarship, you must submit a complete application by the scholarship deadline. Not all students who apply by deadlines will receive scholarships.
Priority deadlines for scholarship consideration are:- January 15 for Fall semester (for international undergraduate applicants)
- March 1 for Fall semester (for transfer applicants applying from within the USA who are attending community colleges and are members of Phi Theta Kappa)--one year non-renewable awards
Eligibility requirements for scholarship consideration
The following items are required for scholarship applications:
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Complete application for admission submitted by scholarship deadline
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Equivalent of a 3.5 GPA or higher (based upon the 4.0 scale)
- Current schedule of courses in which you are enrolled.
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TOEFL or IELTS scores that meet minimum for KU class enrollment. Although TOEFL scores are not required for admission, presenting the scores is required for the KU-IIE Scholarships and will enhance chances of selection for a ISSS first year scholarship. If scores are sufficiently high, students may obtain a waiver of the otherwise-required AEC test.
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SAT or ACT scores (required for architecture, business, and engineering majors). Although SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission to all majors, presenting the scores is required for the KU-IIE Scholarships and will enhance chances of selection for a ISSS first year scholarship. It will also facilitate enrollment in courses at KU.
- Co-Curricular Summary, including all out-of-class activities, involvement, leadership and awards. From your Co-Curricular Summary, please select three activities that have been especially meaningful to you and explain why.
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Essay or statement of purpose. Write a 500-word essay in English. Choose from one of the following topics:
Freshman essay questions
1. The KU academic community consists of diverse perspectives and opinions— both in and out of the classroom. How do you intend to take advantage of this type of environment to broaden your educational and life experiences?
2. If you could spend a year of your life engaged in service or research, without having concern for money, what would you do and why? How would this experience foster your educational goals and aspirations?
3. Discuss your personal and academic goals and how you will achieve these goals at KU.
Transfer essay question
Briefly discuss your personal and academic goals and how you will achieve these goals at KU. - Letters of reference or recommendation (required for KU-IIE awards).
- Additional scholarship forms will be distributed to students selected for consideration of the KU-IIE awards
KU Academic Program Scholarships
Some KU academic departments also offer scholarships to first year students. If a student is eligible for consideration for one of the departmental awards, the ISSS Admissions Office will forward the student's application to departments that award first-year scholarships. Generally, departmental scholarships are competitive and top-level students are informed of opportunities to apply by the individual academic program only after the student has been admitted and often only after they have completed one or two semesters of KU study..
Additional information about scholarships for students who plan to pursue studies in the USA is available on these websites:
- US government Education USA
http://www.educationusa.state.gov/finaid.htm
- Institute for International Education (IIE)
http://www.fundingusstudy.org/
- NAFSA-Association of International Educators
http://www.nafsa.org/students.sec/financial_aid_for_undergraduate
Outside Scholarships and Sponsors
International applicants who have been awarded outside scholarships or students sponsored by their government or private foundations, should provide information about the terms of the award from the program sponsor at the time of application. Details required include the name of the sponsoring organization or agency, the name and title of contact person, complete address, e-mail, phone and fax numbers and the dollar value and duration of the award.
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