Courses: All fields
Level: Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) Degree
Provider: Wells Mountain Foundation
Country to Study in: Any developing country
Description: The Wells Mountain Foundation (WMF), a public charitable foundation based in Bristol, Vermont, USA, funds the Empowerment Through Education Scholarship Program for individuals in developing nations or other situations of extreme poverty.
WMF hopes that by providing the opportunity to further one’s education, the scholarship participants will not only be able to improve their own future, but also that of their own communities.
The foundation believes in the power and importance of community service and, as a result, all scholarship participants are required to volunteer for a minimum of one month a year.
ATTENTION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS!: It has come to the attention of WMF that someone is trying to defraud those who apply for the WMF scholarships. No matter what you may be told there are NO FEES required to submit a scholarship application to the Wells Mountain Foundation! You only need to submit a complete application through the official website (link to it is below), by the annual deadline each year of April 1. If someone contacts you saying a fee is required, please forward that email to info@wellsmountainfoundation.org. WMF would very much like to prosecute this fraud.
Eligibility: The ideal candidate is any student, male or female, from a country in the developing world, who:
- successfully completed a secondary education, with good to excellent grades
- will be studying in their country or another country in the developing world
- plans to live and work in their own country after they graduate
- has volunteered prior to applying for this scholarship and/or is willing to volunteer while receiving the WMF scholarship
- may have some other funds available for their education, but will not be able to go to school without a scholarship
Eligible groups: Citizens of ANY developing country
Participating Institutions: Your choice of ANY institution in your home country or in ANY other developing country
Fields of study: All fields of study are eligible; although WMF tends to favor professions such as health care, social work, education, social justice, as well as, professions that help the economy and progress of the country such as computers, engineering, agriculture and business.
Number of awards: Not specified by sponsor.
Each year WMF receives a much greater number than the year before, but their scholarship funds are not growing at the same rate. The competition is keen, so be sure your application is complete and received before the deadline.
Sponsorship duration: Scholarships are generally granted for the full period of study, however, recipients must maintain good grades and provide copies of all semester reports and grades as they are received.
The scholarship can be discontinued at any time in the event of unsatisfactory performance.
Scholarship benefits: Scholarships range from $300 USD to $3000 USD. While the maximum scholarship is $3000 USD, WMF rarely award this amount. The average scholarship amount is $1400. Award covers:
- Tuition and fees
- Books and materials
- Room rent and meal
WMF does not fund the following:
- Education at a college, polytechnic or university in the United States, UK, Australia, or Europe (except Bergen Community College in Paramus, NJ, USA – see FAQ question #8 on official website for reasons and explanations). Education in these countries, while excellent, is too expensive for our scholarship amounts to be effective.
- Masters or Doctorate Degrees – we prefer to use our limited resources to assist young people in getting their initial tertiary degree. A medical degree, however, is acceptable.
- Laptop computers, conferences or trips
- Debts or past due tuition bills
Method of Application: Beginning in December 2013, the Empowerment Through Education Scholarship Program transitioned to accepting applications on the official WMF website (not via email). All applications MUST now be made online via the official website (link to it is below).
Students can now prepare their application over a four month period (from December-April). This time frame will allow students to prepare complete applications and submit all of their necessary documents. Applicants can rest assured that once their application is complete and submitted, all documents will be reviewed.
If you are unable to apply online, WMF will also accept completed applications that are mailed to them in one mailing and delivered before the deadline date (see below). To access the PDF version of the 2014 Empowerment Through Education Scholarship application please Click Here.
WMF will NOT be accepting emailed applications.
It is important to visit the official website (link to it is below) for detailed information and also to access the online application portal.
DEADLINES: The online application enables students to prepare their application over a four month period if desired (from December 2013-April 1, 2014). Applicants are able to complete their online application at any time before April 1, 2014 at 11:59pm EST.
Applications must be received by April 1, 2014 to be considered for the 2013-2014 academic year.
PLEASE NOTE: The Wells Mountain Foundation remains committed to providing scholarship opportunities that are not associated with application fees. The transition to an online scholarship management system will allow for this commitment to continue.
The scholarship awards are determined by the Board of Directors of the Wells Mountain Foundation and awarded once a year. Only the selected WMF Scholarship recipients will be emailed on August 1, 2014. Their names will also be published on the WMF homepage and Facebook Page.
The 2014 WMF Scholars will be announced on August 1, 2014. Applicants who do not receive the scholarship will not be notified individually of this result. WMF will not respond to emails asking questions about who was or was not awarded the scholarships, since the results will be posted on the official website.
WMF highly recommends that you review the ‘FAQ’s for 2014′ section on the official website (link to it is below) before you complete the application.
Contact: If you are unable to apply online, your applications may be mailed to:
Wells Mountain Foundation, Inc.
25 D Main Street
Bristol, Vermont 05443
USA
Application Deadline: 1 April 2014
Open to International Students: Yes