EducationUSA urges students to look beyond academic scholarships

Ghanaian students seeking higher education opportunities in the United States have been encouraged to look beyond academic scholarships and explore other forms of financial assistance, including athletic scholarships. The advice comes as about 30 accredited U. S. colleges and universities prepare to participate in an EducationUSA college fair in Ghana, allowing prospective students to engage directly with university representatives on admissions, tuition, scholarships, testing and student visa requirements. Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Wednesday, September 23, Donya Eldridge, Education and Cultural Attaché, said many Ghanaian students tend to focus heavily on academic scholarships and may overlook other opportunities available at U. S. institutions. “One thing that I find here, since my tenure, is that many Ghanaians only look at the academic scholarship,” Ms Eldridge said.

“There are also athletic scholarships. So ask about those. ” She encouraged students interested in sports such as football and tennis to specifically ask participating universities whether they offer athletic scholarships and what requirements applicants must meet. According to Eldridge, the College Fair provides an opportunity for students to have direct conversations with university representatives and learn about the financial support available at individual institutions. Ms Eldridge said the cost of studying in the United States varies from one institution to another and urged prospective students to obtain specific information from the universities they are considering. “The cost is going to vary depending on the university,” she said. She said students attending the fair should discuss both academic programmes and their associated costs with university representatives. “This is also…