How to apply

How it works - overall guidance on the application process

The application process for the Fellowship for the Future consists of two parts which you must complete in parallel:

• Application for the Fellowship for the Future submitted to the Croatian-American Foundation for Education and Training by the deadline specified in the competition announcement
• Application for admission to desired academic program(s) in the U.S., completed independently by the candidate and submitted directly to the U.S. academic program(s)

 You must familiarize yourself with the requirements for the completion of the Fellowship for the Future application AND the requirements for the completion of your application to the U.S. academic program(s) you wish to attend. 

In order to be considered for the Fellowship for the Future, you must also apply directly to at least one eligible degree program at accredited U.S. universities of your choice by the deadline set by the academic program(s) and complete the application independently.  On your Fellowship for the Future application, you will be asked to list up to four Master's programs at U.S. universities to which you are applying for admission in the fall (autumn) semester of the academic year for which the Fellowship is intended.  Only the programs you list are considered for funding.  It is your responsibility to identify the U.S. institution/program(s) you wish to attend, familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the program(s) you are applying to, and to meet these requirements.

The Fellowship for the Future application deadline may be set before or after your university admission deadline(s).  However, you must keep in mind the date of the Fellowship for the Future final decision and notification, which takes place no later than April 15th of the academic year you plan to enroll.  Admission deadlines for graduate programs in the United States vary, however, most competitive schools set their deadlines in the early or mid January, and no later than February 1 of the academic year applicants intend to enroll (e.g. January 5, 2011 for admission in the fall of 2011/12).  Some programs may have earlier deadlines, in December or even November prior to the academic year you wish to enroll.  At the same time, many academic programs offer much later deadlines, in March, April or even May or June.  Some programs offer 'rolling admissions' and accept applications until the start of the academic year or until there are spaces in the program available.  While you may choose programs with later deadlines, in order to be considered for the Fellowship for the Future you are advised to submit your application for admission to U.S. academic program(s) no later than January of the academic year you plan to enroll.  This includes completing the standardized testing requirements necessary to be considered for admission to the academic program. You should enquire about the date the university admission decisions will be sent to applicants and ensure that you receive your admission decision no later than early April in order to be considered for the Fellowship for the Future.  Most competitive U.S. schools notify their applicants about admission decisions by the end of March. While you may be taking standardized tests after the Fellowship application deadline, you are advised to take the tests no later than January and preferably before or during December, i.e. in time to complete your application for admission to the U.S. universities and obtain the admission decision by April. 

Fellowship for the Future –the application process in detail

PLEASE NOTE: The current competition announcement, application form and application deadline are published under the 'Competition announcement' section.

The following is intended to provide you with a clear overview of the application requirements for the Fellowship, so that you may be able to plan your application.  It takes approximately one month to complete the Fellowship application, however, you may be able to complete it in less time. The application process for the Fellowship is complementary with your application to U.S. universities with respect to the supporting documentation you need to submit.

• Carefully read all information about the Fellowship for the Future program available on this website.
• Read the application form before beginning your application, as it contains additional details about the requirements and submission of your application. The application form is available on the CAF website from the date of the competition announcement until the application deadline.
• In the application form, you will be asked to provide information on the academic programs in the U.S. for which you are seeking funding, your academic background, occupational experience, extracurricular/professional activities, the (planned) date of your standardized tests and test scores (you can find more information in the section on applying to Master's programs), distinctions, and other relevant information about your background. In addition, you will be asked to write a personal statement and a statement of study plans. Your essays constitute an important part of your application and you should allow for sufficient time to write them. 
• The supporting documentation you must submit with your application form includes university transcript(s) (original and photocopies), uncertified photocopies of the certified English translation(s) of university transcript(s), uncertified photocopies of university diploma(s), three letters of reference (minimum one academic reference; the original and photocopies enclosed with the application in sealed envelopes signed on the back by the recommender OR e-mailed directly by the recommenders as signed pdf documents), photocopies of standardized test score report(s), and photocopies of your passport photo page. 
• The application form contains the application checklist and detailed information about the number of copies you need to submit.  You must carefully read the application form in order to familiarize yourself with the process.
• While the Croatian-American Foundation for Education and Training does not require submission of supporting documentation such as certificates for every activity or accomplishment you list in your application, we reserve the right to ask for additional clarification or contact persons regarding any part of your application. 
• The application form and all supporting documentation must be submitted by the application deadline specified in the competition announcement using registered mail OR delivered in person to the postal address specified in the announcement and the application form.  In addition, theapplication form and all supporting documentation except for the letters of reference must be e-mailed by the candidate to the e-mail address listed on the application form by the application deadline.
• From the time you submit your Fellowship for the Future application, you are obligated to inform your contact at the Croatian-American Foundation for Education and Training by e-mail about the following information regarding your application to U.S. academic programs as soon as this information is available: the completion of an application for admission, the results of standardized tests, changes in your test dates, university admission decisions (admitted as well as rejected or wait-listed), university financial aid decisions, the non-completion of an application for admission.  Failure to report this information in a timely manner will be considered disruptive to the selection process and may weaken your application for the Fellowship for the Future.
• Let us get to know your unique background, ideas and future plans through the Fellowship for the Future application.  The best advice we can give you is - just be yourself!