Hosting Fulbright Students and Scholars at UF: Process, Benefits, and Responsibilities Debra Anderson Matt Mitterko Director, International Student Services Associate Director, Graduate International Outreach International Center Graduate School

Admitting Fulbright Fellows to UF Matt Mitterko Associate Director, Graduate International Outreach Graduate School

Fulbright Program History Program proposed by Senator Fulbright; created in 1946 “Promotion of international good will through exchange of students in the fields of education, culture and science” Housed within Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Shared funding with US government and foreign governments (20%) Approximately 8,000 awards offered each year Other Fulbright programs: Specialist, US Student, Foreign Language Teaching Assistantship, Fulbright-Hays Awards: 1,600 US students, 4,000 foreign students, 1,200 US Scholars, 900 visiting scholars

What is the Fulbright Foreign Student Program? Fulbright Fellow International student selected by Fulbright Commission or US Embassy for placement in US for graduate study Funding given through competitive process Eligible for Master’s or PhD degree Receive 1-5 years of funding All funding awards include stipend, health insurance, travel to US, allowances Stipend determined by cost of living estimate (unless otherwise noted) Funding may include tuition (partial support) Total funding award will vary from country to country

Benefits to Admitting Fulbright Students Can assist in internationalizing department Applicants from 28 countries this year Cultural exchange is required component of award Bring research/professional experience from home country Faculty Development program Established network of Fulbright students on campus Fulbright Lecture Committee/North Florida Chapter Funding defrays costs of supporting a graduate student

Placement Agencies 3 placement agencies coordinate Fulbright Fellow program AMIDEAST (America-Mideast Educational And Training Services) IIE (Institute of International Education) LASPAU (serves Latin America) Overlap between AMIDEAST & IIE and IIE & LASPAU

Placement Agencies Agencies assist applicants with application process Agency pays for application fees to 2-4 universities Agency obtains release from student for managing application process Agency wants best combination of: student/advisor/department fit cost-sharing country interests

Fulbright Contacts at UF Students Matt Mitterko Recruitment Funding Denise Bouton Admissions Credential Processing Debra Anderson Check-in Visa Tracking Retention Scholars Scott Davis Placement Monitoring Admissions vs. Recruitment/Funding vs. Check-in/Immigration

Fulbright Student Stakeholders Fulbright Commission Placement Agency Admissions Graduate School (OGIO) Graduate Program UFIC Fulbright Association Fulbright Lecture Committee

How to Recruit Fulbright Students Short-term Contact Graduate School & International Center about prospects who have already contacted UF UFIC Global for upcoming opportunities Long-term Encourage students of partner institutions to apply to Fulbright program Contact Fulbright Commissions/US Embassies to indicate interest in hosting Fulbright participants

Fulbright Admissions Process at UF Application submitted By Placement Agency Listserv email address Priority credential review Office of Admissions Email to Graduate Program Graduate School Program review of application Graduate Program Cost-sharing negotiation College Placement Agency Offer of Admission

Admissions Processing Tips Credential review may require additional documentation Initiate review process in ISIS Admin as soon as possible Verify if language instruction is necessary Language support may be available, paid by agency Consider conditional admission

UF Cost-sharing 2 forms of institutional cost-sharing available for Fulbright students Latin America & Caribbean students – LAC Scholarship program established via Florida State Statute Student automatically considered resident for tuition purposes for as long as they receive Fulbright funding (Fulbright considered federal fellowship) Non-LAC students – eligible for non-resident tuition waivers Requests reviewed by Matt Mitterko in Graduate School on a rolling basis Approval granted based on support of Fulbright students (academic and financial)

UF Cost-sharing Departments and Colleges are encouraged to provide additional funds to create a funding package for Fulbright students Graduate Programs must confirm UF funding information for placement agency on Financial Award Information form (FAI)

Director, International Student Services Hosting Current Fulbright Fellows: Transition, Responsibilities, and Visa Support Debra Anderson Director, International Student Services International Center

Student Transition to UF Student accepts offer of admission Students must have DS-2019/visa to enroll DS-2019 processed by placement agency Student may enter US 30 days before start of program Student must check-in with International Advisor

Student Responsibilities Notify ISS (Debra Anderson) once Fulbright student has received offer of admission and accepted offer to attend UF Integration with other Fulbright students already on campus prior to arrival – Fall Welcome Luncheon Check-in with ISS (Debra Anderson) mandatory-what is covered when student checks in. Arrival packets-from Fulbright sponsors and UFIC/Departments

UF Responsibilities for Students To Placement Agency Make all efforts to fund student until degree completion Provide updates on student status change/satisfactory progress To Student Provide academic & language support if needed To UFIC Once Fulbright funding completed, assist in visa transfer from placement agency to ISS

Visa Transfer for Current Students Students continuing at UF after Fulbright funding is complete must have their visa transferred from AMIDEAST, IIE, or LASPAU This requires proof of funding from student + any departmental funding necessary to meet visa requirements

Hosting Fulbright Scholars Debra Anderson Director, International Student Services International Center

What is a Fulbright Scholar? Advanced PhD student or Faculty member Selected by Fulbright Commission or US Embassy Placement handled by CIES Seeking short-term research opportunity 3 months – 1 year All fields of study Receive funding to pursue research Must find departmental sponsor to accept award

Fulbright Scholar Stakeholders Fulbright Commission Placement Agency (CIES) Department UFIC

Scholar Responsibilities Contact EVS once you agree to sponsor a Fulbright visiting scholar Have the scholar check in with Scott at EVS/UFIC Airport pick-up Assist with location of housing, getting around Gainesville and how to locate necessary services Arrange office space Integrate into departmental and community activities Notify EVS if the scholar leaves before the planned end-date

Questions. danderson@ufic. ufl. edu sdavis@ufic. ufl. edu mmitterko@aa Questions? danderson@ufic.ufl.edu sdavis@ufic.ufl.edu mmitterko@aa.ufl.edu