Ukrainian students have the opportunity to study in the USA for free

This is possible thanks to the American CCI program. Find out what the conditions are and what areas of study are possible.

What is known about the CCI program

The CCI program is an initiative that provides Ukrainian students with the opportunity to study at an American college for free for one year. In addition, thanks to the program, Ukrainian students will have the opportunity to do internships and volunteer activities to immerse themselves in the social culture of the United States.

Students selected for the program will not receive a degree from an American institution of higher education. But thanks to this program, there is an opportunity to deepen cooperation between international educational partnerships. In addition, program participants will have the opportunity to improve their English language skills.

The program was launched in 2007, and since then more than 3,500 participants from 24 countries have taken part in it. All of them received scholarships to study in American higher education institutions. The program is aimed at achieving mutual understanding between US citizens and citizens of participating countries.

The program focuses on 5 main directions:

1. Academic direction;
2. Cultural exchange;
3. Volunteer activity;
4. Professional internship;
5. Project activity with the purpose of leadership for the sake of impact on the community.

All components of the CCI program are equally important and interrelated.

What are the costs covered by CCI funding?

If we talk about the costs covered by the funding of the CCI program, then such costs include:

1. Living expenses. The participants will live in the dormitories of the universities where they have been enrolled. You do not need to pay for accommodation.
2. Transport costs. This includes those costs related to training in the CCI program. That is, it is a flight to the USA and transportation costs associated with other activities of the program. If you are traveling within the US, you must cover these costs yourself. Upon completion of the program, the organizers will cover the cost of the flight home.
3. Health-related expenses. If you get sick, your medical expenses will be covered.
4. Food costs. That is, the organizers will provide food for the students who will come to study.
5. J-1 visa costs. It is thanks to this visa that it will be possible to enter the USA and further study in this country during the year.
6. Tuition and mandatory college fees. Also, assistance will be provided with the provision of books, necessary materials, and additional costs for education.
7. Expenses related to activities that provide professional and personal development.

So, in effect, those who are approved to study under the CCI program will be fully funded. Please note that you will not be able to stay in the US after the program has ended. Once your studies are over, you will have to return to your home country.

Under what conditions is it possible to study for free in the USA

To be able to study for free in the USA, you must be enrolled in a Ukrainian higher education institution (it can be either a college or a university). That is, you cannot start studying immediately. Also, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You are already 18 years old;
2. You know the English language very well (the minimum TOEFL iBT score is 79);
3. You are studying in the 1st or 2nd year of a bachelor’s degree.
4. You have a certificate of completed secondary education.
5. You have the opportunity to start your studies in July 2023.
6. You have the desire to develop your professional and leadership skills to contribute to the development of society.
7. You have not studied abroad before.

How to apply and in which areas free study in the USA is possible

The application form to be submitted for training is the same for almost all industries. The exception is mass media. There is a separate form for this industry. You can find both forms on the website.

The areas in which training is possible to include the following fields:

• Agriculture;
• Management in business;
• Early school education;
• Information Technology;
• Social services, health care, and public safety;
• Applied engineering;
• Mass media: digital media and communications;
• Tourism and hotel management;

Each branch contains several specialties. So you can choose what suits you best.

You can read more about each of these directions, as well as find application forms, at this link: https://ua.usembassy.gov/uk/education-culture-uk/cii/. On the site, you can find information in both Ukrainian and English. There you will also find detailed information on applying for each of the directions. Education in all areas is free.

Completed applications should be sent to kyivcci_ukraine@state.gov. The application deadline is no later than January 20, 2023. Please note that the form must be filled out exclusively in English.