Information for U.S. Host Institutions

How your institution can participate:

• Offer a place at your university/college in business and/or STEM related subjects, such as Business, Marketing, Management, Biology, Engineering, IT, Mathematics, etc.
• Waive your tuition fees for one year.
• Help in arranging internship placements at your university or at a business/industry in your community.
• Assist in organizing speaking opportunities on campus or within the surrounding community.

If you are interested in becoming a host institution, please have your college or university's president submit the presidential response form.

Host College or University's Responsibilities: 

• Administer I-20 / DS2019 paperwork
• Assign a designated contact person and adviser
• Greet and orient the students
• Arrange student housing (shared dorm room)
• Waive requirement to purchase campus health insurance (Study USA student required to purchase health & travel insurance from Northern Ireland)
• Provide student support (academic, social & health)
• Certify completion of the Study USA year to the British Council
• Require student to return to Northern Ireland after completing the one year placement.

Funding:

The Study USA program is managed and administered by British Council and funded by:

• The Department for the Economy (DfE)
• USA Church-affiliated universities through the waiver of tuition fees
• A placement on the Study USA program represents a scholarship of approximately $30,000. This represents a considerable investment on the part of the U.S. colleges and DEL/British Council.

Northern Ireland Department for the Economy Financial Contribution:

The U.S. colleges very generously waive the college tuition. Through the British Council, DfE provides the following funding:

• Room and board (term time only, double dorm, full meal plan)
• Books (paid directly to the U.S. college/university and allocated onto the student account)
• Other enrollment costs (application fees, activity costs, etc.)
• One round-trip flight between Northern Ireland and the United States

Student Financial Contribution:

The Study USA student is responsible for the following costs:

• £1500 participation fee (waived if student is Northern Ireland–grant eligible)
• Visa application & SEVIS fee
• Travel and medical insurance, secured from a Northern Ireland company (see J-1 Visa - Insurance Requirements for more information)
• Extra costs incurred throughout the year, e.g., if the student wishes to change his or her meal plan or upgrade housing to a single room, and for replacement ID card fees, vaccinations, etc.
• Bookstore charges, e.g., stationery, clothing, art and computer supplies

NOTE:  When a U.S. institution offers a scholarship for a Study USA student, they become eligible to nominate up to three students to apply for one of a limited number of scholarships to study in one of five Northern Ireland institutions through the Irish American Scholars program.