THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES Supporting Human Development

THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES Supporting Human Development in the Americas Lina Sevillano Chief of Unit Rowe Fund Program

34 OAS member states Canada The United States The Organization of American States is the world’s oldest regional organization, dating back to the First International Conference of American States, held in Washington, D. C. , from October 1889 (The Pan American Union was formed)

OAS AGENDA • • Democracy Security Human Rights Integral Development The Department of Human Development Education and Employment (DHDEE) encourages inter. American policy dialogue and cooperation among the Ministries of Education of the OAS in the following priority themes: – Quality, Inclusive, Equitable Education and promote lifelong learning (SDG 4) – Strengthening of the Teaching Profession – Comprehensive Early Childhood Care

SUPPORTING DECADES OF PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES 2010 2001 1962 1958 1948

YOUTH-RELATED PROGRAMS & OPPORTUNITIES Partners with institutions in the Americas and around the world to facilitate international studies through scholarships. www. oas. org/en/scholarships Scholarships for graduate studies in an OAS member state with a Special Caribbean Program for the last two years of undergraduate studies for English-speaking Caribbean citizens. www. oas. org/en/scholarships Grants financial aid, in the form of interest-free loans to students from Latin America and Caribbean countries for studies in the United States. www. oas. org/en/rowefund

YOUTH-RELATED PROGRAMS & OPPORTUNITIES OAS Internship Program MODEL OAS Program offers a unique opportunity to acquire experience in different areas of expertise, in an international and multicultural environment. www. oas. org/en/saf/dhr/internships is a simulation exercise of the main political bodies of the Organization of American States: The Permanent Council and the General Assembly. www. oas. org/en/asg/moas/

OAS SCHOLARSHIP PARTNERS OAS Consortium of Universities • • • Cooperation agreements with institutions in the OAS member States only Range of offers from reduced to fully paid tuition assistance Citizens have access to over 160 institutions in the Americas, including the U. S. Governments of OAS member States • Specific agreements with member States (Brazil, Mexico, Chile and The Bahamas) The OAS has an extensive network across governments, academic institutions, organizations throughout its 34 member states to support the internationalization strategy of HEIs.

ROWE: Financial Aid for U. S. studies The Rowe Fund program grants financial aid, in the form of interest-free loans to students from Latin America and Caribbean countries for studies in the United States.

REQUIREMENTS Citizen of OAS country with F-1 or J 1 visa Good academic records; GPA≥ 3. 0 Enrolled in the last two years of undergraduate or graduate studies at an U. S. university Degree lasting no more than two years Proof of other financial resources Guarantor

CHARACTERISTICS Maximum USD 15, 000 Covers a portion of tuition or living expenses No deadline. May apply at any time during studies Paid in 50 equal installments Disbursement is sent directly to the Student Repayment starts three months after finishing studies

RAISON DÉTRE PROMOTES INTELLECTUAL AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE, FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNICATION

TESTIMONIALS The OAS – Rowe Fund program granted invaluable financial aid to complete my studies. I hope to be among those that will continue to contribute to the education of OAS’s ideals and principles to further generations in my home country. Ex-beneficiary from Bolivia I learned about the OAS through a friend. It was attractive because of the zero interest contingent to go back to my country. At the time, I had no other means as an international student to access a loan. The OAS has helped make my dream come through and for that I'm grateful. Ex-beneficiary from Jamaica I am truly thankful to the OAS and the Rowe Fund collaborators, for the opportunity and trust in granting me the funds to help me finish my studies in the U. S. It came at a perfect time, during which my family was going through a financial hardship, and I would have had no choice but to give up on my studies or transfer. Thank you! Ex-beneficiary from Brasil

ROWE: FINANCIAL AID FOR U. S. STUDIES

IIE – OPEN DOORS REPORT highlights 1, 095, 299 International Students in U. S. universities during 2018/19 (Figures extracted from the Open Door Report of The Institute of International Education, IIE) International Students make up 5. 5% of all students in U. S. higher education

IIE – OPEN DOORS REPORT highlights China, India and South Korea are the top three sending countries representing 56. 9 percent of all International students (Figures extracted from the Open Door Report of The Institute of International Education, IIE)

IIE – OPEN DOORS REPORT highlights Only 7. 4% or 80, 962 of all International Students in the U. S. come from Latin America and the Caribbean With Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia combined representing 58. 18% of students from the region

IIE – OPEN DOORS REPORT highlights Primary source of funding of I. S. in the U. S. 16, 8 Personal and Family Foreign Government/University/private International Organization 20, 6 57, 0 Current Employment U. S. College or University* 0, 1 4, 9 U. S. other sources (Government, private) * Funding from U. S. colleges or universities includes teaching and research assistantships, which are often federal government research grants disbursed to the student through the institution.

IIE – OPEN DOORS REPORT highlights Of all IS, 57. 0% rely primarily on personal and family funds to pay for their studies; with undergraduate students relying 83. 5% U. S. universities provides four times more funding to graduate students than undergraduate students.

Financial Aid Guide for U. S. studies

Thank you! www. oas. org/en/rowefund@oas. org www. facebook. com/rowefund Lina Sevillano Secretariat for Integral Development