You are invited to apply for a grant to obtain a master’s degree at a university in the United States. The Fulbright Student Scholarship Program, which covers a maximum of two academic years of study beginning in August 2009, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State through the Embassy of the United States of America in Lebanon. AMIDEAST administers the program, which is funded by the U.S. Congress. Originally proposed by Senator J. William Fulbright in 1945, the scholarship has become the U.S. government’s flagship program in international educational exchange.

The grant includes: roundtrip airfare between Lebanon and the United States, tuition, books, health insurance, and room and board. Funding is not available to meet the expenses of Fulbright students’ dependents (spouses, children, parents, etc.).

A. Applicant Requirements

A competitive applicant will have an excellent academic record, strong English language skills, an outstanding character, and the commitment to return to Lebanon upon completion of the program. An applicant:

Must be a Lebanese citizen or a legal, long-term Palestinian resident in Lebanon.
Cannot be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (green card holder).
Will have completed, or be currently enrolled in, an undergraduate degree program at an institution recognized by the Lebanese Ministry of Higher Education.
Will demonstrate academic excellence within his/her field of specialization.
Will pursue a field of study benefiting Lebanese society and/or Lebanese-American relations.
May apply for a major in any field except dentistry, medicine, nursing (nursing administration is permitted) and pharmacy.
Obtain a minimum TOEFL score of 213 (computer-based) or 80 (Internet-based).

Application Deadline: Monday, May 5, 2008

B. Provisions

Preference will be given to applicants who have not studied in the United States previously.
Fulbright students must return to Lebanon for at least two years and will not be eligible for U.S. employment, immigration or residency visas for two years after ending the program.

C. Instructions for Application

Complete the application online at: http://www.amideast.org/forms/fulbright/FulbrightFindOut.aspx

Note: Any student requiring assistance or access to a computer and internet connection to complete the application is welcome to use the AMIDEAST advising center for free.
Answer all questions accurately and completely.
Late or incomplete applications will i be accepted under any circumstances.
Carefully write and edit two essays, “Future Plans” and “Statement of Purpose,” which are key components of the application. The selection committee will review these essays closely.
Present the following supporting documents to the AMIDEAST office:

TOEFL score (CBT or iBT)
Note: The paper-based ITP TOEFL available at AMIDEAST is acceptable at the time of application. Selected finalists will be required to take the TOEFL iBT for entry into graduate programs.
Undergraduate transcript (in English)
Documentation of class rank (if available)
Copy of undergraduate degree in English (if available)
Three sealed letters of recommendation (two from university professors).
Master of Business Administration (MBA) candidates: Three letters of recommendation (two from professional colleagues).
Note: All recommendations must be submitted on the official Fulbright letter of recommendation form available at the website. Anyone writing a recommendation should not submit a letter using any other format.
Curriuculum Vitae or résumé
Copy of only the biodata information page in English from the applicant’s passport (if available)
Two recent passport-sized photos with applicant’s name written on the back

Optional Submission of Graduate-Level Exam Scores

Applicants for most graduate programs must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
MBA degree applicants must take the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) instead of the GRE and have a minimum of two years of work experience (by August 2008).
Applicants are not required to submit graduate exam results at the time of application. Scores may be submitted if available. Final selection of Fulbright grantees, however, will be contingent upon successful completion of the requisite exams.

Submission deadline for all application materials is
Monday, May 5, 2008 (4:30 p.m.)

Applications must be completed online. Supporting documents must be received by AMIDEAST by the above date. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an in-person interview in late June or early July 2008.

For additional information about this scholarship or application requirements, please contact AMIDEAST:

Bazerkan Building, First Floor
Nejmeh Square (next to Parliament)
Beirut Central District

Phone: (01) 989901, ext 162
Email: lebanon@amideast.org
Web: www.amideast.org/lebanon

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:00 am 4:30 pm
Friday 8:00 am 3:30 pm

Guidelines in Word format

Fulbright Recommendation form in Word format

ITP TOEFL Information in Word format