Study USA
Study USA (SUSA) is the new name for the Business Education Initiative (BEI), a successful, innovative program aimed at offering undergraduate Catholic and Protestant students from Northern Ireland the opportunity to study in a U.S. college or university. Two of the goals for the young adult participants are the development of business knowledge and community-building skills.
Since 1994, over 1,800 students have benefited from this program. For many years, anecdotal evidence suggested these goals were reached; in 2002, an evaluative study by PriceWaterhouse Coopers documented the program’s success.
Catholic higher education has always been supportive of this important program. Originally, the BEI program was part of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU). Eventually, it migrated to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). As of November 1, 2006, the BEI program once again found its home at ACCU, where it remains under the new title, Study USA (SUSA).
In collaboration with our partners at the Association of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities and the United Methodist Church-related Colleges & Universities, 72 Northern Ireland students are studying tuition free at U.S. colleges and universities this year. The Department of Employment and Learning of Northern Ireland pays all room and board costs directly to the college. The program is administered and delivered by the British Council.
Please see the following links for more information regarding SUSA and the Irish American Scholars Program.
- Information for American Schools: Information for presidents on how your school can sponsor a SUSA student.
- Presidential Response Form: For presidents interested in offering a tuition scholarship for a SUSA student.
- Irish American Scholars Program: Information for presidents who have hosted a SUSA (BEI) student in the past and are interested in nominating their own students to study in Northern Ireland for a semester.
