Opportunity Information: Apply for SSF75018GR0002
The 2018/2019 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds program grant (Funding Opportunity Number SSF75018GR0002) is a U.S. Department of State initiative run through the U.S. Mission to South Africa, specifically the Embassy Public Affairs Section (PAS). The purpose is practical and student-focused: to remove the upfront financial barriers that keep otherwise highly qualified South African students from actually enrolling at U.S. colleges and universities. The targeted students are those who are strong enough academically to be competitive for full financial aid from U.S. institutions, but who cannot afford the early costs that come before scholarships and aid can take effect, such as visa-related expenses and travel.
The grant funds are meant to support the EducationUSA Opportunity Funds model, which typically bridges the gap between admission and arrival. In this case, the program covers critical expenses including international and domestic airfare, U.S. visa fees, SEVIS fees, and a settling-in allowance. The Opportunity Funds students themselves are selected and advised by EducationUSA advisors based in Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, while the grantee plays the operational and financial management role. The project is coordinated across Public Affairs Sections in Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, meaning the recipient needs to be comfortable working with multiple mission offices and maintaining clear communication and documentation.
A central feature of this opportunity is that the award is essentially for administration and logistics. The single expected award has a ceiling of USD 76,320, and interested institutions were asked to submit a quote to administer these funds and manage two phases of the selection-to-departure pipeline. Phase one focuses on standardized testing support for qualified prospective students, which includes coordinating registrations and making payments so students can take required exams. Phase two is the more intensive logistics and disbursement phase, where the recipient is responsible for managing travel and pre-departure expenses for roughly 14 to 18 students. That includes arranging and paying for visa and SEVIS fees, booking international and any necessary domestic flights, organizing visa appointment coordination at the appropriate U.S. consulate, and ensuring that settling-in allowances and related payments reach students correctly and on time.
Because the grant recipient is handling sensitive, time-bound transactions tied to consular appointments, travel schedules, and student departures, the U.S. Mission emphasizes operational competence. The successful grantee is expected to demonstrate strong financial controls, reliable and timely payment processing, and the capacity to coordinate complex logistics while communicating directly with students throughout the process. The legal authority cited for the funding is the Fulbright-Hays Act, and the opportunity was posted December 12, 2017 with an original closing date of January 18, 2018. The activity category is education, the instrument type is a grant, and eligibility is broadly listed as "Others" with further clarification referenced in the full eligibility text of the announcement.Apply for SSF75018GR0002
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to South Africa in the education sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2018/2019 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.022.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 12, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 18, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $76,320.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the 2018/2019 EducationUSA Opportunity Funds program grant?
It is a U.S. Department of State grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SSF75018GR0002) administered through the U.S. Mission to South Africa, specifically the Embassy Public Affairs Section (PAS). The program is designed to remove upfront financial barriers that can prevent highly qualified South African students from enrolling at U.S. colleges and universities.
Who is running this opportunity?
The initiative is run through the U.S. Mission to South Africa via the Embassy Public Affairs Section (PAS), and coordinated across Public Affairs Sections in Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.
What is the main purpose of the Opportunity Funds model in this grant?
The purpose is practical and student-focused: to bridge the gap between admission and arrival by covering early, upfront expenses that occur before U.S. institutional scholarships and financial aid can take effect.
Which students are targeted by this program?
The program targets South African students who are academically strong enough to be competitive for full financial aid from U.S. institutions, but who cannot afford the early costs required to move from acceptance to actual enrollment and travel.
What kinds of costs does the program cover for students?
The covered costs described include international and domestic airfare, U.S. visa fees, SEVIS fees, and a settling-in allowance. The grant also supports standardized testing expenses during the earlier phase of the pipeline.
Does the grant pay for standardized testing support?
Yes. Phase one of the program focuses on standardized testing support for qualified prospective students, including coordinating registrations and making payments so students can take required exams.
What does phase two cover?
Phase two is the logistics and disbursement phase for students preparing to depart. Responsibilities include managing travel and pre-departure expenses, arranging and paying for visa and SEVIS fees, booking international and any necessary domestic flights, coordinating visa appointment logistics at the appropriate U.S. consulate, and ensuring settling-in allowances and related payments are delivered correctly and on time.
About how many students will be supported in phase two?
The opportunity anticipates supporting roughly 14 to 18 students during phase two.
Who selects and advises the Opportunity Funds students?
Students are selected and advised by EducationUSA advisors based in Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg.
What is the role of the grant recipient (grantee)?
The grantee plays the operational and financial management role. This includes administering the funds, processing time-sensitive payments, managing logistics tied to testing, consular appointments, and travel, and communicating directly with students during the selection-to-departure process.
Is this award primarily for student scholarships or for administration and logistics?
The award is described as essentially for administration and logistics: interested institutions were asked to submit a quote to administer the funds and manage the two-phase selection-to-departure pipeline.
What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?
The single expected award has a ceiling of USD 76,320.
How many awards are expected?
The opportunity indicates a single expected award.
What operational capabilities does the U.S. Mission emphasize for the grantee?
Because the grantee handles sensitive and time-bound transactions tied to consular appointments, travel schedules, and student departures, the U.S. Mission emphasizes operational competence, including strong financial controls, reliable and timely payment processing, and the ability to coordinate complex logistics while maintaining clear communication and documentation.
Will the grantee need to work with multiple U.S. Mission offices?
Yes. The project is coordinated across Public Affairs Sections in Pretoria, Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, so the recipient is expected to be comfortable coordinating with multiple mission offices and maintaining clear communication and documentation.
What legal authority is cited for this funding?
The legal authority cited is the Fulbright-Hays Act.
What is the activity category for this funding opportunity?
The activity category is education.
What is the funding instrument type?
The instrument type is a grant.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broadly listed as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the full eligibility text of the announcement.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SSF75018GR0002.
When was the opportunity posted and when was it originally due?
The opportunity was posted on December 12, 2017, with an original closing date of January 18, 2018.
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