The Opportunity Funds Scholarship by EducationUSA is a U.S. Department of State program that supports 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 to apply, such as testing, application fees, or airfare.
Each Opportunity Funds grantee undergoes a selective process of evaluation by an EducationUSA adviser, Regional Educational Advising Manager (REAC), and the Public Affairs Section of a U.S. Embassy/Consulate. In addition to academic abilities, Opportunity Funds students bring cultural and socio-economic diversity to U.S. campuses. More than 100 colleges and universities have enrolled Opportunity Funds students since 2006.
There are more than 50 countries around the world that receive Opportunity Funds. The list of participating countries changes slightly each year depending on individual country needs, priorities of Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and EducationUSA, and the budget situation.
What does it cover?
- Application fees for U.S. colleges and universities
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Applying to U.S. universities is an expensive process, this scholarship ensures that its grantees are solely focused on building a competitive application to their desired universities. Opportunity Funds covers the application fee of up to 5 universities.
- Standardized test fees (e.g., SAT, GRE, TOEFL, IELTS)
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Universities in the United States will most likely require international students to be proficient in the English language. Opportunity Funds covers all of the fees related to taking the standardized tests that are necessary to apply, it also covers official score sending fees to the selected universities. The award may offer travel support to test centers depending on need.
- Visa application fees
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- May offer travel expenses to U.S. Consulate if the grantee presents the need.
- SEVIS Fee
- Airfare to the United States
- One-time settle-in allowance
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Once Grantees are accepted into U.S. universities, this scholarship offers a one-time deposit to economically support students once their stay in the U.S. begins.
Note: The exact coverage may vary depending on the specific program and the student's needs.
Empowering the Grantee
Even though Opportunity Funds Grantees already possess a highly competitive academic & professional profile, the scholarship strengthens their profile by several trainings in regards to all aspects of their application.
EducationUSA advisors are responsible for guiding Opportunity Funds grantees in the long process that is applying for a U.S. higher education institution. Whether it be for undergraduate or graduate studies, Opportunity Funds grantees constantly receive support from their advisors from the start.
| Aspect | What Opportunity Funds does |
|---|---|
| Comprehensive Support | Guide grantees throughout the application process in a holistic, supportive manner |
| Essay Writing | Weekly workshops to strengthen writing and communication skills, as well as individual follow-up meetings to have strong, compelling essays |
| Psychological support | Arrange meetings with a certified professional for all its grantees for emotional support |
| Interview Preparation | Meetings with representatives from U.S. institutions who offer unique insights into admission-related interviews |
| Standardized test preparation | Offers its grantees access to online, highly specialized training platforms for standardized tests |
| Mentorship | Provided by EducationUSA advisors in every step of the application process and beyond |
High Success Rate
While this scholarship does not offer financial support towards tuition & living expenses, many grantees were offered some financial support from U.S. universities. Last year’s Opportunity Funds grantees (2023-2024 generation) were awarded a total of over 2 million dollars in financial support.
Opportunity Fund Scholars at Rice
Alan Covarrubias
Opportunity Funds Alum (2022-2023)
Alan earned his Bachelor’s in Applied Physics from the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) in Mexico in 2023. His previous research focused on computational physics and model simulation of both quantum and classical systems. Currently, Alan is engaged in the realm of engineering quantum vacuum fields to control the properties of quantum materials coupled to electromagnetic fields.
What was the most helpful aspect about the Opportunity Funds scholarship for you?
One of the most impactful aspects of the Opportunity Funds scholarship has been the one-on-one mentorship I received. The guidance, support, and personalized advice from my mentor were instrumental in helping me navigate a critical decision in my career. Thanks to their insights and encouragement, I clarified my goals and ultimately decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Applied Physics. This decision has profoundly shaped my academic journey and career path, and I feel confident and prepared to continue my studies with a clearer sense of purpose.
The Opportunity Funds program helped and fostered a deeper sense of direction in my professional aspirations. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities it has opened for me and the continued support throughout my journey at Rice University.
Omar Cruz
Opportunity Funds Alum (2021-2022)
Omar earned his Bachelor’s in Nanotechnology from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in 2020. As an undergraduate, he studied the antitumor activity of silver nanoparticles against colon cancer. Omar is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Rice University where he explores cellular processes concerning cell death in *Caenorhabditis elegans*.
What role did Opportunity Funds play in your application to grad school and Rice?
The Opportunity Funds program played a pivotal role in shaping the next step of my academic journey. The personalized mentorship I received during the graduate school application process was transformative. With the guidance of advisers at EducationUSA México, I broadened my university search and crafted a more competitive application. This collaborative effort led to my admission into four prestigious universities, and I was thrilled to choose Rice.
Max Paxtian
Opportunity Funds Scholar (2024-2025)
Max was born and raised in Mexico City, he obtained his Bachelors in Nanotechnology Engineering at the Polytechnic University of the Valley of Mexico. His previous research entailed fabricating nanotechnology-based wearable devices using commercial textiles and reduced graphene oxide. He has recently become a CONAHCYT Fellow for his upcoming research at Rice University in the Neuroengineering Initiative regarding novel research platforms for Alzheimer's Disease in the Cell and Materials Technologies Lab under Dr. Christina Tringides' mentorship. Max believes in the huge impact that materials science can have on neural engineering, particularly on devices that can diagnose & treat neurological diseases.
How did the Opportunity Funs scholarship assist you in your journey to Rice?
Without the continuous and amazing support of the EducationUSA advisers, my journey towards applying and eventually being admitted into Rice University would not have been as amazing as it was. It was thanks to their constant guidance that I was able to navigate the complicated process of applying to grad school. The economic support in covering all expenses related to applying was also incredibly helpful, and even though this economic support ended once my program at Rice started, I still feel supported by my former advisors and by EducationUSA in general.
Mexico EducationUSA Advisors
Juan Manuel Molina
National Coordinator, Mexico
jmmolina@educationusa.org
Mariana Alvídrez
Regional Coordinator, Mexico City
malvidrez@educationusa.org
Adriana Molina
Regional Coordinator, Morelia, Mexico
amolina@educationusa.org