Students have lots of questions regarding the USA Fulbright Scholarship Program. It is the scholarship program offered by the United States of America to hardworking international students who want to study in the USA. Here are the answers to your questions regarding this scholarship program.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q.Is it easy to apply for this scholarship program?

A. Yes

Q.Is it easy to be selected for this scholarship program?

A. High chances if eligible

Q. What is the aim of this scholarship program?

A. To promote mutual understanding and to strengthen the relationship between the people of two countries USA and Pakistan.

Q. What is the date to apply for USA Fulbright Scholarship Program?

A. Varies from February to October.

Q.Is it a fully funded scholarship program?

A. This scholarship program offers to cover the following expenses:

  • Tuition fees
  • Airfare funds
  • Textbook expenses
  • Visa fees
  • Living stipend
  • Health insurance
  • Computer and settling allowance.

Q. How to apply for USA Fulbright Scholarship Program?

A. Apply online here.

Q. Is it possible for a person holding dual nationality or multiple nationality to apply for this scholarship program?

A. No

Q. A person who is already studying in U.S is allowed to apply for this scholarship program?

A. No

Do you have to pay fees for an online application?

A. No

Q. Is it necessary to submit a hard copy of your application?

A. No

Q. What is the duration of this scholarship program?

A. 2 years for MS degree and 3 years for Ph.D. degree

Q. How many students get scholarships annually?

A. Up to 4000 scholarships are awarded annually

Q. How many countries are offered this scholarship program?

A. 160 countries

Q. Is it possible to submit your application after the deadline?

A. No

Q. Who can apply for this scholarship program?

A. A students who  has completed 16 years of education for a Master’s degree or those who have completed 18 years of education for a Ph.D. degree

Q. Scholarship will be awarded on merit?

A. Yes

Q. Which fields of education does this program offers?

A. Except for clinical medicine, all disciplines are eligible to apply like agriculture, energy, water, health, and education.

Q. What is the eligibility criteria for this scholarship program?

A. Eligibility criteria is as follows:

  • Undergraduate education or hold a degree equivalent to a USA bachelor’s degree.
  • An excellent academic record.
  • Good English proficiency (written and spoken).
  • Except for clinical medicine, all disciplines are allowed to apply.
  • Pakistani nationals who are living in Pakistan and have strong academic performance
  • Those who are employees of the Fulbright organization or the U.S department of state and their close relatives (parents, husband/ wife, children, siblings, and fiancés) are not allowed to apply for this scholarship program.
  • Applicants having parents, husband/ wife, fiancé, child (over 18 years of age) who is a citizen of the United States are not eligible to apply for this scholarship program.
  • Not for employees of USAID or Higher Education Commission (HEC) and their close relatives (parents, husband/ wife, children, siblings, and fiancés)
  • Not already studying in the U.S or are on work or residence visa in any country.
  • Not previously received a Fulbright student grant
  • Awardees of Fulbright scholarship must share about their life and culture in Pakistan to their U.S colleagues and U.S community groups.
  • After completing your degree program in the U.S, candidates are requested to return Pakistan within 30 days and serve their home country at least two years (residency requirement).
  • After returning back to Pakistan candidates must share their U.S experiences to their Pakistani colleagues and community groups.

Q. How are candidates selected?

A. Have a strong academic background, demonstrated commitment to their community, good English language skills, and a good GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score.

Q. What is a good GRE (Graduate Record Examination) score?

A. According to the old scoring system, on each section of the GRE examination, a minimum of 300 score is required with a higher score on the section most applicable to your field of study. According to the new scoring system minimum of 138 scores in verbal and a minimum of 136 scores in quantitative sections are required. However, there are different GRE score requirements for different disciplines. For example, engineering fields will require a higher score in the quantitative section, and English literature will require a higher score in the verbal section.

Q. What happens if any information is found to be untrue?

A. Process of application will be terminated.

Q. Who are Pakistan’s Fulbrighters?

A. Many Pakistanis (both men and women) to begin their studies in the U.S are awarded Fulbright Master’s and doctoral degree program grants. They come from every province and region including Azad, Jammu, and Kashmir (AJK), Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), Balochistan, and Gilgit/ Baltistan and are from 40 different universities in Pakistan. They range in age from 20 to 42 and are from both the public and private sectors. They represent 17 academic disciplines, which include engineering, health, social sciences, education, energy, agriculture, water resources, environment, fine arts, and more.

Q. Who funds for this scholarship program?

A. United States Agency International Development (USAID) funds this scholarship program for Pakistan.

Q. Is the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) also required for this scholarship program?

A. Not for all, TOEFL required only for shortlisted candidates.

Q. What are the other exam requirements?

A. GRE and TOEFL. If Business candidates are selected then they are asked to take GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).

Q. Do Fulbrighters go to good universities?

A. Yes, Fulbrighters studies in top of U.S universities. At the Institute for International Education (IIE) in New York experienced placement professionals match Fulbrighters with universities that they think best match the student’s profile and program needs.

Q. Are dependents of candidates allowed?

A. Upon request only (Note: only spouses and children up to the age of 21 will be considered dependents).

Q. Does everyone who is selected for this program get a visa?

A. In past almost all Fulbright awardees get visas.

Q. What is the process of scholarship?

A. Applications are accepted till the deadline which is in May. Then according to established criteria, complete applications that meet minimum qualifications are evaluated and shortlisted. Then interviews of shortlisted candidates are conducted in Islamabad between July and September. Then in mid of October names of candidates are announced. The process of university submission and placement process continues till February and interviews for visas will be conducted till June. In July and onwards the departure to the United States begins depending on the reporting dates of universities.

Q. What is the No Objection Certificate (NOC)?

A.NOC is a certificate that allows the awardee to apply for their visa and conduct research in Pakistan (issued by the Government of Pakistan)

Q. How to apply for NOC?

A. Once FSB approves awardees then USEFP will apply for this certificate on behalf of these awardees.

Q. How much time does it take to receive NOC?

A. 3 to 6 months

Q. Will USEFP reimburse the candidate for a Pakistani visa?

A. No

Q.  Which documents are needed for NOC?

A. When USEFP is provided with the following information (information of complete passport, a sheet of biographic information, updated project description of what you are planning to do in Pakistan, and confirming grant dates) then on your behalf USEFP apply for NOC.

Q. What if a candidate wanted to visit India after completing or during the program, where he/ she should apply for a visa in the U.S or Pakistan?

A. U.S for Indian visa

Q. What about the housing at Fulbright guest house in Islamabad?

A. The guest house is divided into three apartments. Each apartment has a lounge, dining room, and kitchen. Every awardee will be given separate rooms with attached bathroom.

Q. Does the Fulbright guest house has an internet connection?

A. Yes

Q. Does the Fulbright guest house has essential equipments?

A. The Fulbright guest house is provided with essential facilities. Item needed for daily (like bed linens, towels, dishes, and other essential items) are provided. Each room has both heat and cooling air conditioners. Awardees must feel free to bring any items which they need. Each floor of the guest house has been provided with a television, cable connection, wireless internet connection, and printer. The guest house has a UPS system too (no generator).

Q. Do I have to prepare my own meal or food is provided in Fulbright guest house?

A. Breakfast and dinner (not lunch) are provided by a cook who is employed by Fulbright guest house.

Q. What are the charges for living in Fulbright guest house?

A. Every awardee gets a monthly maintenance allowance in Pakistan. If a candidate during the duration of the grant plans to live at Fulbright guest house then $300 dollar per month must be subtracted from their grant.

Q. Are my family and friends allowed to visit me at Fulbright guest house?

A. Allowed only for visit

Q. Are spouses (or dependents/ children) allowed to come?

A. No

Q. Are there any transportation arrangements?

A. Yes

Q. Are grantees allowed to drive in Pakistan?

A. No

Q. While on the grant, is the grantee allowed to teach?

A. Yes, but not on a regular basis

Q. Is the candidate allowed to go worship services?

A. No

Q. Do candidates have to follow Fulbright U.S Scholar terms and conditions and Pakistan Fulbright U.S Scholar terms and conditions even if they are Pakistan origin?

A. Yes

Q. Why this scholarship program is called the Fulbright program?

A. After World War II in 1995 late U.S Senator J. William Fulbright (founder of this scholarship program) saw that millions of people of different countries have been affected poorly so he visualizes a program that would promote mutual understanding and strengthen the relationship between the people of the U.S and other countries.

Q. Want to know more about the USA Fulbright Scholarship Program?

A. Visit their official website.