EducationUSA Scholars Program

EducationUSA Scholars Program (ESP) facilitates access to U.S. higher education for academically talented international students. Opportunity Program Fund (OPF) is part of ESP through which academically talented but economically disadvantaged international students are assisted with the up-front costs of applying to U.S. colleges and universities, including standardized testing, visa fees, and international airfare, etc.

ESP students must participate in an organized cohort advising program for which the Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy Addis Ababa seeks to identify 20 Ethiopian students to join the 2023 ESP program. The objective is to assist those high-achieving Ethiopian students in the admissions process to U.S. colleges and universities for better academic futures, with the goal of producing highly-skilled and widely-educated leaders to build tomorrow’s Ethiopia. 

The program works with students through regularly scheduled training sessions to assist them throughout the application process to study in the U.S. and apply for financial aid. In addition, the program includes academic counseling, standardized tests (TOEFL and SAT/ACT),  and college application essay writing assistance. Students will be selected based on academic records, essays and interview.

Among the total 20 finalist candidates, 15 highly qualified, economically disadvantaged students will be selected to benefit from the OPF program that covers costs related to standardized tests, U.S. visa fees, and the first few successful candidates will also get a round trip ticket to the U.S.  The remaining 5 students will participate in the training program for free but they are expected to cover the preparation expenses from their own sources. Mobile data costs will be covered for both program participants.

Eligibility Requirements  

In order to apply to the program, you must meet the following eligibility requirements: 

1. Live and attend school in Ethiopia
2. High-achieving Ethiopian student 
3. Completed grade 11 by the end of this academic year and will be attending grade 12 from September 2023
4. Commitment to attend the whole ESP session to be offered

Application Submission

Please submit your application by April 2, 2023 at 5:00 pm EAT using the below links. You will be required to attach scanned copies of the following documents:

First Round  

• Your secondary school transcript – all grades you have completed (9, 10, 11)

Second Round

• Support letter from your school
• A letter confirming your family’s financial status from your school or Kebele (For Opportunity Fund Program applicants only)

To apply for opportunity fund program:

• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWndwyZUhtKys61pFUCCH0114aRvfOpz3Zat2TsClIX48ViA/closedform

To apply for Non-opportunity fund program:

• https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-quYK-LlUP1KhQovNeesTwOit8BZJRb8w3IPcywVBfGKyGw/closedform