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Are you a graduate student? If yes, then hurry up and apply for the USAID Payne Scholarship for the year 2023.

At the end of the two years of study, the Payne Scholar must earn a degree in International Development or another field of interest for USAID Foreign Service work at a US graduate university or professional school accredited by the Payne Program.

Fellows who successfully complete the USAID Foreign Service entrance requirements of the Payne program will receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers with the United States Agency for International Development.

 Payne Scholarship Orientation

The new Payne members will attend an orientation at Howard University in May, shortly after their selection. The objectives of this orientation are to familiarize members with all aspects of the fellowship and enhance their understanding of careers in international development and strengthen their skills.

 Payne Scholarships Two Summer Internships

Payne Fellows will participate in two internships.

• The first, an international affairs internship in Washington, DC, will take place this summer, after being selected and before the first year of graduate study.
• The second will be an internship abroad on a USAID mission that will take place during the summer between the first two years of graduate studies. The program will provide stipends, lodging, and transportation.

 Payne Scholarship Scholarship

Each fellow will receive mentoring for the duration of the fellowship and during their initial employment with USAID.

 Payne Scholarship Curriculum :

Scholars must obtain graduate degrees in international affairs or related subjects such as development, economics, history, political science, public administration, communications, public policy, foreign language management, agriculture, environmental science, or urban planning at a graduate school or professionally accredited by the Payne program.

Law studies do not meet this requirement. Applicants apply to two-year graduate programs at US universities concurrently with their application to the Payne Program.

Employment / Contractual Obligations 

Fellows who successfully complete the Payne Program and USAID Foreign Service entrance requirements will receive appointments as USAID Foreign Service Officers. Each Payne member who earns a master’s degree commits to a minimum of five years of service as a USAID foreign service officer.

Candidates who do not successfully complete the Payne Program and subsequent five-year service obligation may be subject to a repayment obligation.

What You Need to Know About the Payne Scholarship Application

LEVEL / SCHOLARSHIP FIELD

The Payne Scholarship Program is intended for graduate students at any of the US universities or professional schools accredited by the Payne Program.

Host Nationality

This scholarship must be taken in the USA. If you are an international student and want to study in the united states of America, check out Best Scholarships Available to Study in the United States of America.

Eligible Nationality

The scholarship is available to all US citizens. Also, if you want to study outside your home country, read these simple and detailed answers on how to apply for and win a scholarship.

Scholarship Benefits

The Payne Scholarship Program awards up to ten scholarships worth up to $48,000 per year for a two-year program.

The scholarship includes up to $22,000 per year for tuition and fees required to complete a two-year master’s degree at a United States institution and $16,000 for the room, board, books, and other educational expenses each academic year; and up to $10,000 per year for housing, transportation, and related expenses for summer internships.

USAID Payne Scholarship Eligibility 

• Applicants must be US citizens.
• Applicants must be eligible to enter graduate school in the fall of 2021 for a two-year program at a United States university. They may be in their last year of college and have graduated by June, or they may be college graduates.
• Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale at the time of application.

Note: Applicants are not required to be a student at Howard University or apply to Howard for graduate school.

How to Apply for the USAID Payne Scholarship Online Application

A complete online application includes the following:

• Basic information (for example, name, contact information, international travel).
• A personal statement (in 600 words or less) explaining the candidate’s reasons for applying, interest in foreign affairs, commitment to a career in the USAID Diplomatic Service, and any relevant experience or information.
• A statement (in 400 words or less) from the applicant indicating their need for financial assistance to continue the graduate study, explaining:
  1. Financial aid received during undergraduate studies.
  2. In general, debt related to education
  3. Ability/plans to pay for graduate school independently

Two letters of recommendation:

• One from a faculty member who knows the individual well
• One from a community leader or other person who can comment on the applicant’s non-academic achievements and potential to serve as a USAID Foreign Service Officer.
• Note: In the online application, applicants will identify recommenders, who will be contacted by the program and asked to submit letters electronically. Below is a copy of the recommendation letter for your reference only.

Proof of US citizenship with a copy of: (choose one)

• Birth certificate
• American citizenship certificate
• US Passport
  (Note: This file must be downloaded in an easy-to-read PDF format.) Applicants must bring originals to the interview if selected as a finalist.

Student Aid Report (SAR), created from the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA). Applicants should try to use financial data for 2023.

Note: Candidates upload this to the application in Word or PDF format.

GRE or GMAT scores (applicants must download a copy of the report sent to them).

Note: Candidates upload this information in their Word or PDF format.)

An official financial assistance statement from the past year, if you have received financial assistance.

Note: Candidates upload this to the application in Word or PDF format. If you have not received financial aid, you do not need to submit it.

Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities in which the candidate has participated. Use a transcript generated by the school. The best is an official transcript; a student copy is acceptable if it is in the format of an official transcript. (If you are selected for an interview, you will need to bring an official transcript, in a sealed envelope, to the interview.)

Note: Candidates upload this to the application in Word or PDF format.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Received until December 21.