A U.S. based charity organization, the University Consortium for Liberia, has announced a new deadline for its 2018 scholarship application, after a previous deadline was closed on May 15.

UCL was first established in 2009 through a collaboration of former University of Liberia President, Emmett Dennis and Cynthia Blandford, Liberia Honorary Consul General in Georgia, who is the group’s current president.

With support from the Liberian Embassy in Washington D.C., the organization was fully registered as a non-profit organization in 2015.

Since then, it has continued to provide student scholarships, faculty and student exchanges, study abroad experiences, and service learning opportunities between Liberia and partner member organizations around the world.

Partner institutions include the Savannah State University, Morehouse College, Georgia State University, Emory University, the University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University. Others are the Clark Atlanta University, Georgia Institution of Technology, Alabama State University, Georgia Gwinnett College and Tuskegee University. Morehouse School of Medicine and Kennesaw State University are also UCL’s partner institutions.

The organization disclosed in a press release that application is limited to Liberian or people of Liberian descent who have been accepted into academic programs of study in undergraduate, graduate or Ph.D. programs, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

It says successful applicants will participate in a study abroad program, service learning or student exchange program in the United States or the Liberia, as part of the scholarship.

“Nationals and residents of the United States must plan to study in the Republic of Liberia and the residents and nationals of the Republic of Liberia must plan to study in the United States for a minimum of 10 days,” the release read.

At least five successful individuals are expected to be selected for each of the five categories of scholarship: science technology engineering or math; athletics; liberal arts; the Joseph N. Boakai Academic Scholarship in General Studies; and experiential or service learning.

At a recent gathering aimed at providing information about the scholarship program held at the University of Liberia Fendell campus, the president of the Ghana International Chamber of Commerce, USA, and a UCL’s consultant, Matilda Arhin announced 25 additional slots to be added the scholarship.

More than 150 students representing the University of Liberia, African Methodist Episcopal University, Stella Maris Polytechnic and other tertiary institutions attended the scholarship information workshop. There, students raised concerns about the scholarship program, including the difficulty of going through the application and acquiring the required visa.

Since 2009, UCL has collaborated with students, university faculty, and other academic professionals to increase learning in Liberia and the United States. It is accepting membership from colleges, universities, academic institutions, or organizations with an academic focus and interest in Liberia.

Featured photo by University Consortium for Liberia