Grants to help Haitian students in the U.S. to continue their studies

IIE has created an emergency grants program to help students from Haiti on U.S. campuses whose home country support has been seriously affected by the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti.

Haiti-EAS (Emergency Assistance for Students) will provide grants of up to $2,000 to

undergraduates and graduate students from Haiti enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities, who are facing serious financial difficulties due to the recent tragedy in their home country. For the first round of funding, accredited United States campuses will be invited to nominate up to 5 students at their institutions for whom help is immediately needed for the spring semester 2010.

United States colleges and universities have rallied to provide support for the Haitian students on their campuses, but more help is needed so that these students can complete their studies. To make these emergency grants, IIE will draw upon Institute funds designated by the Board of Trustees for this purpose and donations from several foundations. We know the talents of these students will be urgently needed in the months and years to come as Haiti begins to rebuild.

The first round of grant nominations should be submitted to IIE by February 12, 2010, with award notification the week of February 22. The total number of awards distributed will depend on the amount of funds available. If funding permits, IIE will call for a second round of nominations at the end of February.

International Student Advisers or other campus officials are invited to submit nominations to IIE; students cannot apply directly.

To nominate students, advisors should go to www.iie.org/HaitiEAS.

To be considered for an Emergency Assistance award, the nominated student must:

·  Be a Haitian citizen

·  Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited U.S. higher education institution (enrolled as of January 1, 2010)

·  Be in good academic standing, as defined by the host campus

·  Have the appropriate non-immigration visa status (legal permanent residents and U.S. citizens are ineligible to apply.)

·  Demonstrate that the financial ability to continue their studies has been seriously disrupted by the January 2010 earthquake

U.S. host campuses nominating students for Haiti-EAS awards will be asked to indicate what emergency assistance they are able to provide to the nominated students through tuition waivers, full or partial scholarships, housing, stipends, loans, work study, or other forms of support.

To meet the full need, IIE is actively seeking additional funding from donors interested in providing emergency support for Haitian students in the United States. To contribute to this fund, please give online at www.iie.org/HaitiEAS or contact development@iie.org