Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

General Definitions:

1. What are Community Colleges?
In the United States, a community college is a two year post-secondary institution that offers certificate programs, Associate of Arts degrees, Associate of Sciences degrees, plus many other programs. It is sometimes called a junior college, and can be simply described as an educational institution providing post-secondary education, granting certificates, diplomas, and associate's degrees. The name derives from the fact that community colleges primarily accept and attract students from the local community.



Application Requirements and Academic Background:

2. If I have a bachelor’s in Accounting, am I eligible for the Business Administration field?
No, if you have graduated from a faculty of Commerce, you are not eligible to apply for a grant in the field of Business Administration, and this applied to all other specializations.

3. Can I apply to the program if I’m still a university student?
No, university students are ineligible to apply. However, if you are currently a student in an open university, you are eligible to apply.

4. If I am a graduate from a Technical Secondary School, am I eligible for this program?
Yes you are eligible for this program, and you need to have attained a grade no less than 70%.

5. Are there any other conditions for application?
Yes, applicants need to be of Egyptian citizenship, between the ages of 20 – 30, and exempt from military service, or have performed military service (applies to male applicants only).



English Language Requirements:

6. Do I need to have a TOEFL Score by the time of application?
No. You don’t need a TOEFL Score.

7. Do I have to be fluent in English?
No, fluency in English is not a requirement for this program. If you’re selected for the program, we will assess your English language skills. You should be ready to receive up to 8 months of in-country English language training prior to your travel to the U.S.

8. Can I choose a particular community college that I want to attend?
No, placement decisions are made in the U.S. However, you are advised to clearly indicate your study objectives in the application form in order for you to be placed in the Community College that best serves these objectives.



Placement:

9. Can I specify if I want to be placed in an Associate of Applied Science or a Certificate program?
No, that decision will be made in the U.S. based on what better suits your needs taking into consideration other budgetary restraints.

10. Can I transfer to a four year institution after I finish?
No, this program doesn’t allow you to do so. If you wish to do so, you will have to return to Egypt first and apply for an F visa. You may not continue using the J visa that will be issued for your program duration.

11. When will I know the final selection results?
By January 2010

12. When will I know which community college I was placed in?
By March 2010

13. If I’m selected, when do I travel to the U.S.?
Around August 2010.

14. If I don’t like the program I’m placed in, can I change it to another program?
No, placement decisions are final.




Citizenship and Visa Requirements:

15. Can I apply to the program if I have a green card or an American passport?
No, if you have a green card or an American passport, you will be ineligible for the program.

16. Can I apply if I have a dual citizenship?
Yes, as long as Egyptian is one of them and that American is NOT one of them.

17. Can I work in the U.S. after I complete the program?
No, you will travel under J-1 visa for this program. One of its regulations is the two-year home stay regulation which states that you may not apply for an immigrant visa or work visa to the U.S. until you have spent two years at your home country. These two years must not be consecutive, they may be accumulative.

18. If I’m married, can I bring my family with me?
No, this program doesn’t allow family members to accompany grantees.



Application Procedure and Timeline:

19. Can I apply online or send my application by email?
No, we only accept hard copies of applications. You have to submit one original and four copies. You may send it by mail if you wish to do so, visit the Commission and submit it, or send it with a messenger (you do not have to submit your application in person, but in this case, ensuring the completion of application form contents such as questions' answers, attachments and information are the sole responsibility of the applicant)

20. Do I have to submit my certificate with the application form before the deadline?
Yes, you have to submit five copies of your secondary school transcript or its equivalence. Applications that do not include these transcripts will be disqualified.

21. Will everyone who applies be invited for the interview?
No, reviewers will identify the most qualified ones to be invited for the interview.



Interviewing Process:

22. Is the interview conducted in English?
Not necessarily. If you wish to have your interview in Arabic, we will do so. The selection committee may ask you one or two questions in English to assess your English language skills. However, your English language proficiency will not affect the selection decision.