US-CAEF Enterprise Student Fellowship Program
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Q: What is the US-CAEF Enterprise Student Fellowship program?

A: US-CAEF Enterprise Student Fellowship program is a financial-need based scholarship program for academically qualified citizen residents of Central Asia to obtain an undergraduate business education, that due to financial hardship would otherwise not have been able to do so. The universities presently participating in the Student Fellowship program are: the American University of Central Asia (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic) and the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Applied Research (Almaty, Kazakhstan).
Competition is open to all candidates demonstrating both financial need and academic merit. Based upon individual need assessment, Fellowship awards will range from partial tuition to full-tuition (including transportation, living expenses and academic costs) support.
US-CAEF program is funded by the U.S. Central Asia Education Foundation and administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS.

US-CAEF students at AUCA

Q: Who is eligible for the US-CAEF Enterprise Student Fellowship program?

A: The US-CAEF program does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, age, race, color, gender, religion or disability. Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Competition for the Fellowships is merit and need-based and open to anyone who meets the following requirements:

• A citizen of, with permanent residency in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan
• Proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application.
• Able to demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and professional aptitude and leadership potential in the field of business.
• Able to begin the academic program at the start of the 2011-2012 academic year established by the university.
• Able to receive and maintain all necessary immigration documentation.
• Committed to returning to (or remaining in) their home country after completion of the program, to contribute to its business community and economic growth.

Q: What does the US-CAEF selection process look like?

A: The selection process begins following the application deadline (February 2011).  All applications are then reviewed by U.S. admissions experts (Round 1). Semifinalists are selected based on applications based on demonstrated financial need, academic merit, and two essays regarding the students’ financial need and a general statement. Semifinalists are then given a TOEFL exam and interviewed by American Councils staff and independent business consultants (Round 2).

The final selection decisions are made directly by the US-CAEF Board of Directors. American Councils office in Washington D.C. office forms the Selection Committee, which provides the Board of Directors with the list of recommended finalists. During the US-CAEF Board of Directors meeting, the final decision is made and the list of finalists is prepared.

Q: When does the Round 1 begin?

A: American Councils will announce the 2011 US-CAEF Enterprise Student Fellowship Program in late October- early November 2010. The deadline for application submission will be in the first half of February. By submitting the application with all supporting documents on time, the candidates are considered as participants of the Round 1 of competition. The results of the Round 1 will be known in late March 2011.

Q: Where can I get the application form?

A: The 2011 application form can be downloaded from American Councils website (http://www.americancouncils.kg) or a paper copy can be picked up from American Councils office at Tynystanov 98/1, Bishkek. US-based (FLEX) applicants will complete the online application available on US-CAEF website (http://www.us-caef.americancouncilsnetwork.org).

Q: When does the Round 2 take place?

A: Only selected semifinalists will be invited for the Round 2 (TOEFL and interview), which will take place in late March- early April 2011. All US-based candidates must take an official TOEFL test in the States and provide its results, once requested.
The list of selected finalists will be announced in June-July 2011.

Q: Do I need to take entrance exams to AUCA or KIMEP?

A: All candidates MUST take AUCA or KIMEP entrance exams in order to be accepted at the university; it is a separate process from applying for US-CAEF program in order to get a scholarship.
In order to be considered for US-CAEF program, all candidates must be admitted to the selected university with the first spring cohort. It is the candidates’ responsibility to check the dates of entrance exams and take them on time.

Q: How should I plan applying for US-CAEF program and taking entrance exams to University?

A: Below is a draft timeline for candidates to make sure they do not miss the deadlines:

Q: If I’m not selected as US-CAEF 2011 finalist, can I apply again next year?

A: Applicants not chosen for fellowships are strongly encouraged to apply again next year. US-CAEF program is a multi-year program and additional fellowships will be offered next year. However, please note that US-CAEF scholarship is given only to the first-year students; no continuing students may apply.