SHE-CAN Scholar Program 2021
SHE-CAN College Scholarship Program At-A-Glance
SHE-CAN seeks talented young women leaders from Cambodia and Liberia who have few opportunities but incredible potential and passion for change. We help these young women win U.S. university scholarships. Through access to a world-class college education, mentorship and leadership training in the U.S., we provide our scholars the tools and support needed to return and make change in their home countries.
Program Length: 5 years
Program Eligibility: Ambitious young women aged 17-20 from low-income backgrounds who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated leadership skills through activities or service in their community
Program Summary:
- Test preparation classes for SAT/IELTS and support executing a community service leadership project
- Guidance to apply for and win a scholarship to a top U.S. university such as Lafayette College, Bucknell University, and Syracuse University
- Build relationship with 4-6 American mentors
- Completion of 4-year university education in the U.S.
- Participation in SHE-CAN-funded Leadership Summit in California
- Complete at least one summer internship
- Return home within one year of graduating
- Launch your career at home, make a difference in your community, and give back to SHE-CAN sisters
- All costs for tuition, room & board, and travel are covered by the university or SHE-CAN
Click here to learn more about the scholars we’ve supported on their leadership journey.
Apply for SHE-CAN program if you are:
- A woman between the ages of 17-20
- Passionate about improving your country
- High school graduate or graduating high school by January 2021
- Living within 1 hour of capital city (e.g. Phnom Penh, Monrovia)
- From a low-income household
- Interested in pursuing an undergraduate degree at a U.S. college or university (SHE-CAN does not work with students seeking graduate degrees)
- Already a leader in your school or community
- A strong English speaker: Your ability to speak and write in English is critical because all U.S. universities require a high score on the TOEFL or IELTS language exam. Therefore, if your English is not strong, we recommend that you spend a year studying and apply next year.
- Academically strong: Consistently ranked high in your class with strong grades and a strong score on National Exam or WAEC/WASSCE
- Dedicated to this program: Able to dedicate your days in January 2022 – June 2022 to SHE-CAN’s pre-college program. Accepted scholars must not work full-time during this period
- Able to access a strong Internet connection and computer daily to check emails
What you’ll need to apply:
- High school transcripts for grades 10, 11 and 12
- National exam score report or WAEC score report
- English translations of transcripts or exam scores if necessary (can be self-translated)
- Estimate of family’s monthly income
- Optional: Score reports for the SAT, ACT, IELTS, TOEFL if you have taken them
- No application fee – free to apply!
Want to learn more about becoming a scholar?
Click below to sign up for an online information session:
Dates coming soon!
Selection Process & Application Timeline:
| July 2021 | Application will be posted in July 2021 Deadline for Cambodia: October 15, 2021 Deadline for Guatemala: August 15, 2021 Deadline for Liberia: November 15, 2021 |
| Interview Process | We will share more details on the interview process in the coming months. |
| January – June | IELTS & SAT preparation and community service project for semi-finalists |
| June | Scholars officially accepted to SHE-CAN program and matched with mentors |
| July – October | Scholars & mentors complete college application requirements |
| November 1 | Scholars submit Early Decision applications to U.S. colleges |
| December 15 | College admittance decisions announced |
| January – July | Scholars complete travel requirements and prepare to come to the U.S. |
| August | Scholars arrive in U.S. for first year of college |
Financial Assistance from SHE-CAN
SHE-CAN aims to support low-income young women who would not otherwise have the opportunity to study in the U.S. and get the tools needed to return home and step into leadership roles in their countries. Funding for SHE-CAN scholars is provided by:
- College-Funded Scholarship: Every scholar applies for and is awarded a full-ride scholarship from a U.S. college, which pays for the cost of tuition, a place to live, and meals while in school.
- SHE-CAN: The organization funds test preparation classes and costs not covered by your scholarship that your family can’t afford, including passport and visa fees, flight (one to U.S. and one home), textbooks, health insurance, etc.
- Scholar & Family: Scholars fund travel to and from test preparation classes in your country’s capital city. When they arrive in the U.S., every scholar works on campus to fund her personal expenses (toothpaste, shampoo, etc.). While SHE-CAN funds health insurance for scholars, the organization is unable to fund medical expenses outside of what the insurance covers, including dental and vision expenses.
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