Scholarships and Diversity Initiatives Updates

Scholarships and Diversity Initiatives Updates

Who’s Who in the Scholarships and Diversity Initiatives Team:

Want to connect with a member of the scholarships and diversity team? Check out who’s who below.

Jon Meyer, Scholarships Advisor  

  • Administering national scholarships
  • Reviewing Global Leaders applications –FAST
  • Addressing general scholarships questions with applicants, parents, staff, and volunteers
  • Contact Jon at scholarships@afsusa.org or 646-751-2093

Kaitlin Green, Study Abroad Specialist – Diversity Initiatives

  • Advising all Faces of America (FoA) and BP Global STEM Academy scholarship applicants and their families, guiding them through the application process
  • Collaborates with and supports CBO partners
  • Facilitates FoA and BP webinars
  • Contact Kaitlin at Facesofamerica@afsusa.org Bpscholarship@afsusa.org or 646-751-2088

Amy-Kiana Rendon, Senior Scholarships Specialist

  • Implementation of all national scholarships, announcements, training etc.
  • Supports Team Development Staff and Volunteers in ensuring that local area team scholarships are available
  • Contact Amy at scholarships@afsusa.org  or arendon@afsusa.org 646-751-2056

Shameeka Leacock, Scholarships and Diversity Initiatives Manager

  • Oversees the implementation of national and diversity scholarships
  • Collaborates w/TDS and Volunteers to bring awareness and support to applicants interested in scholarships
  • Works with local area teams interested in launching local scholarships and/or FoA programs
  • Recruits, identifies, and onboard of community-based organizations for FoA partnerships
  • Leads AFS LGBTQ Exchange and Students of Color Initiatives workgroups
  • Contact Shameeka at sleacock@afsusa.org or 646-751- 2218

Feel Good Videos

At the end of each cycle, the Scholarship Team requires all scholarship recipients to complete a post-program essay to reflect on their experience abroad. This time we have decided to switch it up and request AFSers to create a video instead of writing an essay. They are simply wonderful videos! Here are two great ones to check out:

NH19 Scholarship Deadlines

At this time, we have updated the national scholarship pages with the new deadlines for the 2019-2020 program year.

  • Vaya a America Scholarship  Merit
    • Students interested in participating in a summer, semester, and year program to any Latin American destinations
    • Up to four (4) students will be awarded $2,000
    • Deadline: Thursday, March 14th, 2019
  • Viaggio Italiano Scholarship  Merit
    • Students interested in participating in a year program to Italy
    • Up to four (4) students will be awarded $2,000
    • Deadline: Thursday, March 14th, 2019
  • Speedwell Scholarship  Merit
    • Students interested in participating for a year to a non-English speaking country
    • Must live in or attend a high school within the Susquehanna Valley Area Team
    • Up to twenty (20) full scholarships will be awarded
    • Deadline: Thursday, January 10th, 2019
  • Speedwell Scholarship  Merit
    • Students interested in participating for a year to a non-English speaking country
    • Live in or attend a high school in one of the following South Carolina counties: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester or Georgetown
    • Up to five (5) full scholarships will be awarded
    • Deadline: Thursday, January 10th, 2019
  • Helen “Peggie” Miller Scholarship  Merit and Need-based
    • Available to students interested in any semester or year program
    • One (1) student will be awarded $5,000
    • Deadline: Thursday, April 25th, 2019
  • Pride Scholarship  Merit
    • Available for students who openly-identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer
    • Up to four (4) students will be awarded up to $4,000
    • Deadline: Friday, April 12th, 2019
  • Global Leaders Need-based awards
    • Available for students who qualify as need-based
    • Required completion of the FAST application
    • Awards range vary based upon program length ($500-$2,000)
    • Deadline:  None, available on a rolling basis  

Local Scholarship Shout Out:

Many area teams have expressed interested in developing and offering local scholarship opportunities within their team. If you are interested in creating a local scholarship in your area, please reach out to Senior Scholarship Specialist, Amy-Kiana Rendon (arendon@afsusa.org) to get more information.

Scholarships Information Sheet:

Please click here to download a quick reference guide to the scholarships above, and an FAQ page.