EducationUSA urges students to look beyond academic scholarships

Ghanaian students pursuing higher education in the United States have been encouraged to explore beyond academic scholarships, with athletic scholarships being highlighted as an alternative source of financial assistance. This advice was given by Donya Eldridge, the Education and Cultural Attaché, as about 30 U.S. colleges and universities are set to participate in an EducationUSA college fair in Ghana.

Eldridge noted that many Ghanaian students often solely focus on academic scholarships and may disregard other opportunities presented by U.S. institutions. She advised students interested in sports like football and tennis to inquire about athletic scholarships and the specific requirements at participating universities. The fair aims to provide students with direct discussions with university representatives to learn about the financial support offered at different institutions.

Eldridge emphasized that the cost of studying in the United States varies from university to university and urged prospective students to directly obtain this information from the institutions they are considering. She also clarified that students do not need to have perfect test scores or fully prepared applications to attend the fair, stressing that the main purpose is to ask questions and seek clarification on various aspects of studying in the U.S. The event will feature representatives from institutions such as Harvard University, Tufts University, and Virginia Commonwealth University, among others, alongside ETS, which will address testing-related inquiries.