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Community College Initiative (CCI) Program

Scholarship awards for the 2025-2026 Community College Initiative (CCI) Program
are contingent on the appropriation of Federal funding by the United States Congress.

Program Overview
The Community College Initiative (CCI) Program provides participants from underserved and
underrepresented groups with a one-year non-degree academic program at a U.S. community college. Since the
program’s inception in 2007, more than 3,900 participants from 26 countries have received scholarships for
study at community colleges throughout the United States. The CCI Program is a program of the U.S.
Department of State.

The CCI Program encourages a holistic learning and exchange experience and focuses on five program
pillars: academics, cultural exchange, service learning, internships, and leadership and community
impact. All five pillars of the CCI Program are of equal importance.

The Program provides participants with a non-degree, academic program at a U.S. community college designed
to build participants’ technical skills in applied fields, enhance their leadership capabilities, and strengthen their
English language proficiency. It also provides opportunities for professional internships, service learning, and
community engagement. After completing the program, participants return home with enhanced skills to help
them contribute to the economic development of their countries.

The CCI Program demonstrates U.S. commitment to increasing access to higher education for international
students from underrepresented and underserved communities in selected countries and highlights the learning
environment offered at U.S. community colleges. The program also builds U.S. community colleges’ efforts to
deepen international education partnerships and programming.

Community colleges are predominantly publicly funded, inclusive institutions in local communities that
welcome all who desire to learn, regardless of wealth, heritage, or previous academic experience. Community
colleges offer individual courses (credit and non-credit), certificate programs, workforce development training,
and associate degrees. Associate degree coursework at community colleges is roughly equivalent to that offered
in the first two years of a four-year bachelor’s degree program. There are more than 1,100 public, independent,
and tribal community colleges across the United States. Community colleges focus on teaching rather than
research and work closely with the community and local industry to assess need when developing
programming.

Fields of Study Summary

The CCI Program offers study in the following fields:
• Agriculture • Early Childhood Education
• Applied Engineering • Information Technology (IT)
• Business and Entrepreneurship • Creative Economy and Media

The CCI Program offerings within these fields of study are limited to specific concentration areas listed on the
2025-2026 CCI fields of study summaries and included as part of this application. Applicants must select just one
field and subfield choice.

Courses and programs of study vary by individual colleges. All colleges offer introductory classes that would be
taken during the first two years of a four-year bachelor’s degree. The CCI Program does not offer advanced
field-specific courses. Participants will work with their Program Coordinators at each host college to develop an
individual program plan with broad goals within their field of study and concentration area. In this application,
participants should describe their specific areas of interest in their proposed field of study and concentration
areas, their related experience, and the how the CCI Program will contribute to their long-term goals.
The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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Participants are applying for the CCI Program and are not applying to a specific academic degree program at a
particular institution. Based on their proficiency in English, participants will have access to courses at the CCI
community college where they are placed. Participants may choose to pursue an academic certificate in their
field of study (if eligible) or complete courses that are relevant to their professional goals, which may include
courses outside of the chosen field of study or subfield. Certificate programs are not available for all programs
at all campuses and are contingent upon multiple factors, including the participant’s level of English.
Participants will combine academic or professional coursework with first-hand practical experiences through
internships or service learning that will help them build their professional skills and capacities.

The educational system in the United States may be different from the educational systems in the participants’
home countries. To be successful in U.S. academic courses, participants will need to attend all classes,
participate fully, complete assignments on time, and complete additional coursework (such as readings, essays,
individual and group projects) during their own time outside of the classroom. It is common practice to have 6-
10 hours of homework each week after each 3-hour class.

CCI Eligibility Requirements

Competition for the CCI Program is merit-based and open to anyone who:
• Is a citizen, national or permanent resident qualified to hold a valid passport issued by a country
participating in the CCI Program.
• Is currently residing in the eligible country.
• Is 18 years or older by July 1, 2025.
• Has successfully earned a higher secondary school certificate.
• Has not completed the equivalent of three years toward a U.S. bachelor’s degree or higher in the field of
study the applicant is nominated to pursue. Nominees without substantive post-secondary education will
be given placement priority.
• Has demonstrated commitment to the selected field of study through some academic or professional
experience. The program aims to identify participants with proven skills or interest and limited
professional experience in the fields of study offered.
• Has basic working knowledge of English language as demonstrated by a minimum English Language
Proficiency exam score on one of the accepted exams, such as TOEFL and Duolingo. For example, a
candidate must submit with their application a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 420 to be eligible.
Note: To enroll in credit-bearing courses in an academic field of study, the applicant must meet the
minimum language requirements of the host college—usually 500 on the TOEFL test or equivalent scores
on other accepted exams. Participant language skills will be evaluated upon arrival at the host institution.
A host campus testing result will be the score used to determine course placements. English language
training will be necessary and is available for those who score below the host college’s unique
requirements and must have an interest in taking English language classes as an initial primary academic
focus; they will have limited access to courses in their field of study until the requisite level is met.
A list of accepted exams and minimum scores is provided to the relevant staff at the Embassy of the
United States or Fulbright Commission conducting the recruitment in the applicant’s home country.
• Has limited or no overseas study experience. Nominees with no prior overseas study or travel to the
United States will be given placement priority.
• Meets any customized requirements of the home country Embassy/Consulate or Commission.
• Submits a complete original application.
• Is able to receive a U.S. J-1 visa and meet the program conditions to maintain that status.
• Is willing and mentally and physically able (with accommodations as required) to complete the program in
its entirety, including activities or travel that may be programmed on any day of the week, possibly
including early morning or evening hours.
• Is committed to returning to their home country after completion of the program and satisfying the J-visa
two-year residency requirement.
• Is able to begin the academic exchange program in the United States in July 2025.

Note: Everyone who meets the CCI eligibility criteria listed is welcome to apply regardless of race, color,
national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability (physical or mental),
The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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sexual orientation, or gender identity. Persons with a disability and/ or require special accommodations are
strongly encouraged to apply. The application materials and medical forms should provide as accurate, and as
detailed, information as possible about any disability or special accommodations. This will facilitate the
candidate’s needs being fully understood during the final selection process and to be adequately met by
potential U.S. host campuses.

Ineligibility
A candidate may be removed from consideration if they do not meet all technical eligibility requirements.

Individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible for the Community College Initiative Program:
• U.S. citizens.
• Non-U.S. citizens living in the United States.
• Individuals currently participating in academic, training, or research programs in the United States.
• Individuals currently studying, residing, or working outside of the eligible countries.
• Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government
for a period of more than six weeks and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by
the time of their CCI application.
• Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency.
• Local employees of the U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S.
Agency for International Development (USAID). Employees are also ineligible for one year following the
termination of employment.
• Immediate family members (i.e., spouses and children) of U.S. Embassy and Fulbright Commission
employees. Family members are also ineligible for one year following the termination of employment.
• Persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations).

Note: Candidates should contact the appropriate Embassy/ Consulate or Commission staff conducting the
recruitment process to clarify any uncertainty of eligibility. Embassy/ Consulate or Commission staff may
contact the ECA Program Officer.

Application Review Process and Criteria

The CCI Program is conducted as a merit-based open competition. After the application deadline, all applications
will be reviewed in country for eligibility and assessed by a panel of exchange program specialists. Competitive
applicants will be interviewed in their home countries by a nomination committee.
The nomination committee will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):
• Demonstrated interest and professional goals in the field of study applicant wishes to pursue.
• Full commitment and emotional readiness to participate in all components of an intensive program.
• Cross-cultural interest.
• Leadership potential.
• Flexibility and suitability as an exchange student.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Commitment to returning to home country after the program to fulfill a two-year home residency requirement.
• Preference will be given to applicants who have no prior experience outside their home countries.
• Preference will be given to applicants who represent underserved and underrepresented communities,
including women.
• Preference will be given to those applicants who have not yet completed more than three years of towards a
bachelor’s degree.
• Preference will be given to those applicants who can express how the CCI Program connects directly to their
personal and professional short-term and long-term goals.

General Application Instructions

• Submit a completed original application with signature on the last page.
• Each applicant must complete their own application form. Applicants may consult with others for advice
on how to complete the form, but each applicant must write their own responses.

The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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• Please answer ALL questions on the application in English. Do NOT leave a space blank. If a question
does not apply to you, enter N/A (not applicable).
• Include your full legal name with family name (surname) in CAPITAL LETTERS first as spelled on your
international passport (if available).
• Include complete contact information, including postal codes for addresses and city/country codes for phone
numbers.
• Handwritten applications must be neatly printed.
• Submit the application by the deadline established by the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission located
in your country.

Financial Provisions of the Grant

• J-1 visa support
• Round-trip travel from participant’s home city to host institution in the United States
• Tuition and mandatory college fees
• Housing
• Stipend to cover basic needs, such as food and transportation. Some colleges may provide on-campus
meals.
• Small allowance for books, materials, and incidental expenses
• Limited Accident and Sickness coverage that is J-visa compliant
• A variety of personal and professional development activities

Learn More: CCI Program Information and Social Media Sites

CCI Website: www.nvcc.edu/ccip
CCI Blog: https://blogs.nvcc.edu/cci/ CCI Facebook: www.facebook.com/cciprogram
CCI YouTube: www.youtube.com/cciprogram CCI Twitter: www.twitter.com/cciprogram
CCI Instagram: www.instagram.com/cciprogram

The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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COMMUNITY COLLEGE INITIATIVE PROGRAM

STUDENT APPLICATION 2025 – 2026
Personal Information
Name of applicant as indicated on passport if passport is already issued. Please type or print.

AHSAN
______________________________ _________________________
QAREEB ________________________________
N/A
SURNAME/FAMILY NAME First/Given Name Middle Name(s)
(write in all capital letters)
Home Address: Home Phone:
Street and number: House 1/E Road 7 Sector 7 Uttara Mobile Phone: +880 1873843467
City: DHAKA E-mail: qareeb@paysuiteltd.com
State/province: Location where you currently live:
Postal code: 1230 ☐ Federal Capital ☐X Major City
Country: Bangladesh
☐ Other City/Town ☐ Rural Area
Gender: Marital status: Do you have a Date of birth (month/day/year):
☐
X Male ☐
X Single passport? Month of birth: November
☐ Female ☐ Married ☐
X Yes Day of birth: 8
☐ No Year of birth: 2003
☐ Non-binary
☐ Intersex
☐ Gender Non-conforming
Country/Countries of citizenship: Place of birth (city or town and country, as listed
in passport, if available):
City of birth:
Country/Countries of permanent residence: Country:

Are you currently a student? ☐ Yes ☐ No What is the highest educational degree you have
If yes, I am currently a… completed?
☐ Secondary School/High School Student
☐ Undergraduate Student ☐ Secondary School/High School
☐ Other:
☐ Postsecondary Study
Name of college/institution enrolled: Number of years of study completed: _________

I am currently studying ☐ Full-time ☐ Part-time ☐ Other: _____________________

Number of years of study completed: _________
I am enrolled in a degree program. ☐ Yes ☐ No

Have you participated in any U.S. government exchange program? Yes ☐ No ☐

If yes, give name of the program:

Duration of the program: Year you participated:

The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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Your proposed Field of Study during the Community College Initiative Program:

Applicants must apply in only one (1) field of study and preferred concentration area from the options below.
Subfield concentration areas and availability of academic certificates are contingent upon host college
availability.

Field of Study: Subfield/ Concentration Area:

(check only one) (check only one)

☐ Agriculture ☐ Agribusiness and Production Management

☐ Sustainable Agriculture

☐ Applied Engineering ☐ Architecture and Construction Management

Applicants will need to have a solid ☐ Automotive Technology

foundation in math and will need to take a
math placement exam at their host ☐ Electronics Technology
campuses to gain access to credit-bearing
courses. ☐ Manufacturing Technology
☐ Business Management
☐ Entrepreneurship
☐ Business and Entrepreneurship ☐ Hospitality
☐ Marketing and Public Relations
☐ Supply Chain Management
☐ Early Childhood Education and Development
☐ Early Childhood Education
☐ Special Education
☐ Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics

☐ Information Technology ☐ Computer Science and Programming

☐ Cybersecurity
☐ Networking and IT Support
☐ Digital Media and Film Production
☐ Creative Economy and Media
☐ Graphic Design
☐ Web Design and Development

To pursue certificates in a field of study, you may be required to repeat entry-level courses previously completed to meet
prerequisite requirements for the certificate. A certificate in the selected subfield is not guaranteed. Official copies of any
post-secondary transcripts, course syllabi or other documentation of course content may be considered for evaluation if
you have documented evidence of satisfying the prerequisite requirements. This process requires precise documentation,
may be lengthy, and is not guaranteed. If you would like for your previous academic coursework to be evaluated and
considered, you will need to bring official copies of your educational records with you to the United States for host
campus evaluation.

The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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Knowledge of Languages: Rate yourself Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor. Include all languages that you speak or have
studied, including English. List your native language first.
Language Reading Writing Speaking Listening

English Language Proficiency: If you have taken any standardized test of English language proficiency (for example
TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS) please list the test taken, give the results, and provide a copy of the test results.

Test Taken: Date Taken: Results (also attach copy):

Background Information
Educational History: Please list educational institutions that you are currently attending or have attended with the
most recent listed first. Please attach a translated and certified copy of your transcripts for any institution from which
you received a certificate, diploma, or degree.

Type of Date Degree

Dates Attended Actual Name of Education Received /
Name of Major Field
(Month, Year) Degree or Diploma (Select one) Anticipated
Institution/Location of Study
From To (Do not translate) Completion
Date
Current or Most ☐ High School
Recent Education:
☐ Postsecondary
☐ Other:

Previous Education: ☐ High School

☐ Postsecondary
☐ Other:
________________

Work Experience: Are you currently employed? ☐ Yes, full-time ☐ Yes, part-time ☐ No

List jobs held, begin with current or most recent employment. (Continue on additional sheets of paper, if necessary)
Date Date
Name and address of From: To:
Position held Responsibilities
employer (Month/ (Month/
Year) Year)
Current Position:

The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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Professional and Volunteer Experience: In addition to jobs held, please list relevant professional non-paid,
volunteer and/or leadership positions or experiences.
Date Date
Position From: To: Responsibilities
(Month/ (Month/
Year) Year)

Are you currently employed or have you been employed in the previous 12 months for the U.S. Department of
State and/or the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)? ☐ Yes ☐ No

Are you an immediate family member of someone who is currently employed or has been employed in the
previous 12 months by the U.S. Department of State and/or the USAID? ☐ Yes ☐ No

If you have traveled or lived in any country other than your own, indicate the places where you traveled, the dates
of that travel (month and year), and the purpose of the travel. (Continue on additional sheets of paper, if necessary)
Country Dates of Travel Purpose of Travel

Emergency Contact Information: Below, provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of individuals to be
notified in case of an emergency.
Indicate
relationship to you Languages this
Name of individual Location & address of individual
(father, mother, person speaks
friend, etc.)
List contacts in your home country
Address:

Telephone:
Email:
Address:

Telephone:
Email:
List contacts in the United States, if any
Address:

Telephone:
Email:
Address:

Telephone:
Email:

The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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Please list family members who have participated in a U.S. government-sponsored exchange program in the
United States. (Continue on additional sheets of paper, if necessary)
Name of individual Relationship Name of program Program dates

Please list any family members who are currently applying to participate in a 2025-2026 U.S. government-
sponsored exchange program in the United States. (Continue on additional sheets of paper, if necessary)
Name of individual Relationship Name of program Program dates

Please list any disabilities or special accommodations needed (mental and physical) and provide a detailed
description of each. (Continue on additional sheets of paper, if necessary)
Disability or special accommodations Description

Persons with a disability and/ or require special accommodations are strongly encouraged to apply. The application
materials should provide as accurate, and as detailed, information as possible about any disability or special
accommodations. That information will facilitate the candidate’s needs being fully understood during the final selection
process and to be adequately met by potential U.S. host campuses, and is not a deciding factor of eligibility.

The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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Free Response. Please type or write neatly on separate sheets of paper.
Please be open and candid in your responses. These essays should be written in your own words, and
will help us understand a little more about who you are as a unique individual.

Response #1: Describe your related experience within your proposed field of study. How would this program
of study build on your past education, training, and/or experience? If you are new to this field, why did you
choose this field? Your response helps us match your interests with college programs.
(Your response should be a minimum of 300 words and a maximum of 800 words.)

Response #2: Why are you applying for the CCI Program? Describe the goals that you intend to accomplish
during the CCI Program. Consider the five pillars of the CCI Program (academics, cultural exchange, service
learning, internships, and leadership and community impact), and how they will integrate together to help you
reach your goals in the short- and long-term.
(Your response should be a minimum of 200 words and a maximum of 700 words.)

Response #3: If you could make one change in your community, what would it be? What activities would
you complete 6-12 months after returning home from the CCI Program to improve this community issue?
Please be specific.
(Your response should be a minimum of 200 words and a maximum of 700 words.)

Response #4: The CCI Program is an intensive program with high expectations. Describe a challenging
situation or a disappointment in your educational, professional, or personal life where you demonstrated
resilience and perseverance. Describe how you approached the situation or disappointment and what you
learned from it. Please be specific.
(Your response should be a minimum of 200 words and a maximum of 700 words.)

Response #5: Describe a time when you had to work with someone whose opinions/beliefs/views were
different from your own. How did you demonstrate leadership and openness to manage the situation and
overcome the conflict?
(Your response should be a minimum of 200 words and a maximum of 700 words.)

How did you learn about the CCI Program?

___U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission
___College/University
___Non-Government Organization (NGO)
___CCI alumni
___Family or friend
___Social media post
___Other

The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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CCI Program Timeline

Oct 2024 2025-2026 CCI Program application launched in participating countries.

Oct 2024 – Feb 2025 Applications accepted and reviewed in each county. Interview committees invite
semifinalist candidates for interviews.
Feb 2025 Embassies and Fulbright Commissions nominate slate of candidates to ECA for
final selection and placement.
Mar 2025 Medical Forms due.
Apr 2025 ECA selects and places candidates. Only candidates with complete application
files will be considered for placement.
Late Apr 2025 Placed and alternate candidates are announced and invited to pre-departure
orientations.
Apr – Jul 2025 Additional candidates are placed if openings become available.
May – Jun 2025 Candidates participate in pre-departure orientations, review Terms and Conditions
of the CCI Program and other program materials, and submit signed Terms and
Conditions document.
May – Jun 2025 Candidates apply for visas and submit proof of visas to Embassy or Commission.
Candidates engage with host campus Program Coordinators and submit additional
required documents for each host campus.
Late Jun – early Jul 2025 Candidates receive travel itinerary and travel information.
Mid-Jul 2025 Candidates travel to their host campuses and begin their CCI Programs!

The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.
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COMMUNITY COLLEGE INITIATIVE PROGRAM

APPLICATION CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

CERTIFICATION: I certify that I completed this application myself, that the information given in this application
is complete and accurate, and that I have carefully read and understand it. I also certify that I meet eligibility
requirements.

I understand that program administrators reserve the right to verify all the information listed in the application. I
understand that giving false or misleading information in the application will eliminate me from the competition
or cause my dismissal from the Community College Initiative Program.

Also, I acknowledge that I am aware of the following program requirements:

• I must follow all program rules and regulations and observe all the laws of the United States during my stay
there.
• At the end of the academic year program, I will return to my home country and fulfill a two-year, home
country residency requirement in compliance with the terms of my J-visa. I understand that I may not extend
my program dates.
• My spouse, children, other relatives or individuals are not permitted to accompany me to the United States
on the program.

All applicants must submit the following documents for an application to be considered complete:

☐ Application Form: Applicants must provide complete information for all questions. Do not leave a
question blank. If it does not apply to you, write “NA” for Not Applicable. Sign and date the
application form.
☐ Essay Questions: Applicants must answer each question. Answers must be the applicant’s own work.
☐ Higher Secondary School Certificate: A copy of the applicant’s higher secondary school certificate,
with an English translation.
☐ Transcripts: A copy of applicant’s transcript for most recent year of study completed (high school or
undergraduate). The transcript may be in the language of instruction, with an English translation.
☐ English Test Results, if available: Provide official English test score report.
☐ International Passport, if available: Provide a copy of your passport data page. If you do not have an
international passport yet, it is highly recommended that you begin the process of applying for a
passport (including obtaining any required local documents) as it may take a significant amount of
time to receive this document.

*Only candidates with complete applications will be considered for selection and placement. *

_________________________________ ________________________________________
Signature of applicant Date (month/day/year)

The Community College Initiative Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government.