MEXICO - Undergraduate Study Abroad Scholarships

In Mexico, the Peace Scholarship Program is managed by the Secretariat of Public Education, Mexico (SEP) in conjunction with IDP Education Australia in Sydney, Australia.

Award

The Peace Scholarship Program for undergraduate students from Mexico includes:

• Tuition fees for study at selected Australian universities
• Return airfare between Mexico and Australia
• A financial contribution of US$1000 a month throughout the duration of study in Australia for accommodation and living costs.

Students who meet all the eligibility criteria outlined below and who are studying at accredited public universities in Mexico are invited to apply for the Peace Scholarship.

Please note that applicants will be required to pay for their own Australian student visa and Overseas Student Health Cover (visa requirement).

Applicants from Mexico can apply for two different categories of Peace Scholarships to commence study in Australia in July 2008:

Placement at an Australian University

Candidates are strongly encouraged to indicate their own preferences for institution of study.

Candidates from Mexico may choose to study at any of the Australian universities listed above. Level of English required for acceptance into study abroad programs at participating universities are detailed here. (IELTS, Paper Based TOEFL or Internet Based TOEFL). In general, if your English language (IELTS) score is between 0.5-1.0 less than the minimum required, we suggest you apply for a category B scholarship.

Although we will endeavour to place you in the university of your choice, the Peace Scholarship Program reserves the right to offer you a place at an institution other than those named by candidates depending upon availability of places.

If you have any questions regarding suitability of a particular university for your own needs please send an email to globalpeace@idp.com with your questions.

How to Apply

STEP 1:          

Ensure you fulfil each of the selection criteria as detailed below:

• At the time of application you have completed at least three and no more than six semesters of your first full-time undergraduate degree of an accredited course at an accredited public university in Mexico (please note: unfortunately medicine and veterinary science students are ineligible to apply)
• You have achieved a grade point average of 8.5/10 (or equivalent) in your degree to date
• You can fulfil the requirements for study abroad at the chosen host institution including English language proficiency
• You can preferably gain credit transfer for your study abroad program in Australia for your degree at your home institution
• You do not hold citizenship or permanent residency in Australia and have not previously studied overseas, either in Australia or elsewhere
• You are able to demonstrate a commitment to ‘global peace and understanding’ through community, academic or professional achievements
• You are able to indicate how the experience will further your professional development and help contribute to global peace and understanding
• You are able to demonstrate a financial need and that without this scholarship you would not have the chance to study overseas

STEP 2:     

      
The following materials must be received by SEP by February 28^th 2008

• Completed, printed and signed Application Form (note application form must be typed and in English, handwritten applications will not be accepted)
• Completed, printed and signed Agreement of Award Terms and Conditions
• Certified true copy of current passport or official government identification card
• Certified and English translated true copy of official academic transcript, including current year grades and explanation of grading system
• Original and current certificate of either:
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test results
  • Computer Based TOEFL
  • Paperbased TOEFL
  • Internet Based TOEFL
    note: Institutional TOEFL will not be accepted)
• Two References/Testimonials in English
  • One reference/testimonial from home institution (Dean or higher). This reference/testimonial must follow the format outlined on the Home Institution Reference Form and address the criteria requested
  • One reference/testimonial from someone you have worked with on a particular community service project that you talk about in your application (preferably your supervisor), or from someone who can honestly discuss your involvement in community based activities and projects and who has known you for more than 2 years. This reference/testimonial must follow the format outlined on the Community Leader Reference Form and address the criteria requested.
    
    Note: References cannot be submitted from a person to whom you are related and references from any political party will not be accepted.

Your application will not be assessed if you do not fulfil all the selection criteria OR if you do not submit all the required materials

Please submit all the materials above to:
Direccion General de Relaciones Internacionales SEP
Donceles 100
planta baja oficina 1016
Centro Historico
Delegacion Cuauhtemoc, 06010
Mexico D.F. 

No late applications will be accepted.

Selection Procedure

All applications must be received by SEP by February 28^th 2008.

In Mexico , there are up to 5 steps in the selection process:

Home Country Selection Round

All applications submitted to SEP in Mexico will be reviewed by a selection panel.

This Panel will short-list up to 50 students

• according to set standards and procedures implemented worldwide
• according to the quota set by the Peace Scholarship Program; and
• subject to final approval by the Peace Scholarship Program in Australia

IDP / Peace Scholarship Program Selection Round

Short-listed applications successful in the Home Country Selection Round will be sent to IDP Education Australia and the Peace Scholarship Program in Australia for final selection.

1^st Australian University Preference Selection Round

Selected applications successful in the IDP / Peace Scholarship Program Selection Round will be sent to your first preference of host university in Australia as indicated on your application. The host university will review all applications received and select students according to the number of places available at that University. During this round you may be asked to complete a study abroad application for a number of universities - to ensure no delay in the selection process you must provide this information within the requested timeframe.

2^nd Australian University Preference Selection Round

If you are unsuccessful in the first University round, your application will be sent to your second preference of host institution

Final Selection Round to confirm placement

If your application is still unsuccessful or there are no places left at either your first or second institution preference, a general Selection Panel consisting of representatives from participating Australian Universities and members of the Peace Scholarship Program Board of Directors or their nominees will be convened to assess remaining applications and match them up with the remaining places at participating Universities subject to final approval by the participating University.

Final award of the Peace Scholarship is subject to acceptance into the study abroad program at the selected institution as well as receipt of the appropriate visa to study in Australia.

Contact Information

For more information regarding the 2008 Peace Scholarship Program please contact the Peace Scholarship Program representative in Mexico at becas@sep.gob.mx or visit the SEP website at http://www.sep.gob.mx/

Alternatively you can email your questions and comments to globalpeace@idp.com.

Don’t forget, the APPLICATION deadline is February 28^th, 2008.

For more information please contact the Peace Scholarship representative in Mexico:

becas@sep.gob.mx

Or visit www.sep.gob.mx  

Or email globalpeace@idp.com