Eligibility
Q. If I apply based on having received over 85% on my second secondary exams and then score below 85% on my third secondary exams am I still eligible to be considered for the Program?
A. Yes as long as the cumulative score is at least 85%.
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Application and Selection Process
Q. What is the deadline for submitting my application?
A. The deadline for submitting applications is June 5, 2011. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
Q. Where do I submit my application?
A. Applications should be sent by courier service (EMS, Aramex, etc.) or delivered by hand to the following address:
Lotus Scholarship Program
Institute of International Education
71 Road 105
Hedayek El Maadi, Helwan - Egypt
Q. I will not have my Thanawya Amma by the deadline. How do I submit my grades and what is the deadline?
A. It is anticipated that Thanawya Amma results will be announced around the third week of July. Official copies of results must arrive at the above address by no later than July 28, 2011 or within one week of the announcement of results if later. It is highly recommended that applicants send results by courier service (EMS, Aramex, etc.) to ensure timely delivery.
Q. If I am applying for the LOTUS Scholarship Program, do I still need to go through the placement at public universities?
A. Yes. Not every student who applies for a LOTUS Scholarship will be awarded one. The public university placement process takes place before awards will be announced. As such, applicants who want to ensure a place in a public university should go through the government placement process.
Q. What happens after I submit my application?
A. All applications will be evaluated by a review panel and applicants will be ranked. High ranked applicants will be contacted and advised of when a LOTUS Scholarship Program evaluation team will conduct home visits. Home visits will be to the applicants’ primary residence as stated on their applications and are mandatory.
Q. What is the purpose of home visits and when will they take place?
A. Home visits are an opportunity for us to get to know applicants and their families in a familiar environment. It is anticipated that home visits will take place at the end of June and during the first half of July.
Q. What happens after the home visits?
A. Applicants will be short listed after the home visits and some will be invited to participate in group and individual interviews.
Q. When and where will the interviews take place?
A. The interviews will take the form of a two-day camp and take place the last week of July in Greater Cairo. Candidates are required to attend both days of the interview camp.
Q. Where will candidates stay during the interviews?
A. Candidates will stay overnight in housing at the camp venue. Boys and girls will be housed on separate floors and there will be 24 hours supervision by LOTUS Scholarship Program staff.
Q. Will candidates or their families have to pay anything to attend the interview camps?
A. The LOTUS Scholarship Program will pay for transportation, accommodations, and meals for the candidates. Parents and/or family members cannot accompany candidates to the camp.
Q. When will I be notified if I have received a LOTUS Scholarship?
A. Candidates will receive notification of their status the middle of August. Those awarded scholarships will be advised of their university and field of study placements at that time and will be requested to sign the LOTUS Scholarship acceptance and terms and conditions.
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University and Field of Study Placement
Q. Will students be able to choose their field of study?
A. Applicants are requested on the application to rank their first, second and third choices for field of study. Applicants should refer to the application for a list of requirements for certain fields of study as stipulated by the universities and the Ministry of Higher Education. IIE will do its utmost to place scholarship recipients in one of their preferred fields of study.
Q. Will students from Alexandria be placed in Pharos University of Alexandria?
A. Students will be placed in one of the five universities based on their preferred fields of study. Governorate of residence will not play a role in university placements.
Q. Can students change their field of study or university?
A. Requests for changes of field of study may be considered on a case by case basis if deemed feasible by the university and if the change will not require additional semesters/years of study. Changes of university will not be allowed.
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Housing
Q. Where will students live?
A. Students will be placed in safe and comfortable university housing that either belongs to the university or is rented by the university. Male and female students will be housed in separate buildings. Each student will have his/her own room or share a room with another Lotus student depending on the type of housing available at each university.
Q. Is the university housing safe and will students be supervised?
A. University housing building will have 24-hour security, services and supervision. Curfew hours will be enforced and students are not allowed to bring any guests (family members or friends) to their rooms.
Q. Are students from Great Cairo or Alexandria attending university in their city of residence allowed to live at home? And, if students have relatives in Greater Cairo or Alexandria, can they stay with them for the duration of their studies?
A. All students will be required to live in university housing even if their family home is located in the same city as the university, and even if they have relatives in Greater Cairo or Alexandria. Students will need to be close to university at all times to attend classes, attend Leadership in Action Program sessions, and to make full use of the academic, cultural and extra-curricular activities at the university. Living in the university housing will build character and a sense of responsibility in the students. It is particularly important for the students selected to participate in the semester abroad program in the United States to have gained a certain degree of self-reliance and independence. Parents are generally appreciative of the changes that take place in their children after living away from home. They are better able to take care of and provide for themselves. Students will of course be able to spend their free time with family members if they so choose.
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Scholarship Benefits
Q. Will students or their families be required to pay anything during the duration of the Scholarship?
A. The LOTUS Scholarship package is comprehensive and should cover all university fees, books and labs, housing and living expenses for the duration of study. That said, students will need to exercise common sense and prudent budgeting to ensure that they live within the monthly living allowance they receive. If students overspend or feel that the allowance is insufficient, they will need to supplement with outside funding.
Q. Will students have an academic advisor and personal counselor at the participating universities?
A. Yes, the five universities have existing academic advisors and student counseling bodies, which will be available for LOTUS Scholarship Program students. Moreover, there is a LOTUS Program academic coordinator in each of the five universities whose role is to be the focal point of contact for the LOTUS students on campus and to provide support, academic guidance, and settling-in assistance for the students.
Q. What kind of other activities are offered as part of the LOTUS Scholarship Program and when do they take place?
A. A major component of the scholarship program is a Leadership in Action Program, which will enable students to learn more about themselves, their values, strengths, and goals, as well as gain a variety of life and leadership skills. Through the program, they will be introduced to community leaders and initiatives and learn about civic responsibility. Leadership in Action Program sessions will take place during the academic year and during some mid-year and summer breaks throughout the duration of the four to six years academic study period. Students will also receive career counseling, labor market orientations, workplace activities or internships to prepare them to enter the labor market after graduation.
Q. At least forty-five scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to spend one semester at a university in the United States. How will these students be selected?
A. Students will be invited to apply for the study abroad opportunity during their second or third year of university study and will be selected based on the strength of their applications, academic performance, English language proficiency, leadership potential, university/field of study regulations and requirements, and other factors. Preference will be given to students who have not traveled abroad or participated in an educational or cultural exchange program outside Egypt.
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Conditions to Maintain Scholarship
Q. Under what circumstances could a LOTUS Scholarship be revoked?
A. IIE could revoke a student’s scholarship in the event of prolonged poor academic performance (below a C average), frequent unexplained absences in classes, violation of the LOTUS Scholarship terms and conditions, violation of the participating universities’ codes of conduct, violation of the university housing policies, expulsion from university, etc. Students in danger of losing their scholarships would receive enhanced academic and social counseling to help remedy the situation and avoid revocation of scholarships.
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Miscellaneous
Q. Can students travel to their home governorates during weekends/holidays?
A. Yes, students can travel to their home governorates if they have no classes or LOTUS Program activities. Students will be required to advise the IIE Academic Coordinator in writing of their travel plans, as well as to inform the university housing staff if required by their universities.
Q. Are students expected to stay at their universities during mid-year and summer breaks?
A. The LOTUS Scholarship Program will offer some Leadership in Action Program activities during mid-year and summer breaks, but not all. IIE understands that it is important for students to return to their home governorates to spend time with their families and friends. Students who need additional English language training after their first year may be required to spend part of the summer break in intensive English classes. It is important to note that students will be required to spend several summer breaks in their home governorates engaging in community service and service learning projects as a condition of the scholarship.
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