Description
Priority Region: Project activities must take place in Zimbabwe and the United States and be directed at Zimbabwean audiences/participants. Program Objectives: The grantee will work in coordination with the Public Affairs Sections Harare in support of the 2020/2021 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds program. This program assists highly qualified students who are likely to be awarded full financial aid from U.S. colleges and universities but lack the financial resources to cover the up-front costs of required standardized admission tests, application fees, international and domestic airfare, visa fees, SEVIS fees, and settling-in allowance. U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe, EducationUSA advisers located in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare will select and advise the Opportunity Funds students. Individuals and institutions interested in bidding on this grant are asked to submit a proposal to administer the Opportunity Funds (OFP) of US $64, 775 and manage two phases of the EducationUSA advising process for 2020-2021. The first phase requires coordination and payment for qualified prospective students to take standardized tests. Throughout this phase, the grantee is expected to assist advisers in Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Gweru with logistical support in providing advising sessions for the Opportunity Fund Program students. If space allows, non-OFP, EducationUSA scholars can attend these virtual sessions. These sessions are expected to include comprehensive coaching on the U.S. application process, financial awards/aid, essay and recommendation letter writing, extra-curricular and volunteer activities, transcripts and equivalencies, and similar subjects related to undergraduate or graduate admissions at U.S. colleges and universities. The second phase requires the recipient to manage the travel logistics of approximately 15-20 students, including visa and SEVIS fees, international airfare, domestic airfare, settling-in allowance, and other related expenses. The grantee will communicate with the students and advisers, coordinate visa appointments at the appropriate U.S. consulate, make travel arrangements for domestic and international travel, and coordinate payment to the students of settling-in and other related allowances. The successful grantee will demonstrate an ability to effectively handle funds, coordinate logistics, and finalize payments in a timely manner. Both phases can be managed virtually, with regular web and phone-based counselling sessions for selected Zimbabwean candidates. Participants and Audiences: The intended audience is high achieving low-income students from all over Zimbabwe. Program Performance Period: Proposed programs should be completed in 24 months or less.