AAUW International Fellowships for Women

The AAUW (American Association of University Women) offers fellowships for women from other countries who want to study or do research in the U.S. These awards are pretty important for those looking for full-time graduate or postdoctoral opportunities.

The AAUW International Fellowship program started in 1917 and has been helping women from around the world for a long time. This program is aimed at women who aren’t U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and it’s looking for those who have shown strong academic skills and a passion for helping other women and girls. Those who receive the fellowship are encouraged to go back home and share their knowledge and leadership skills.

Programs Offered

AAUW International Fellowships support women pursuing different degrees:

• Master’s/First Professional Degree Fellowships: For those studying for a master's or professional degrees like J.D., M.F.A., L.L.M., M. Arch., or medical degrees (like M.D. or D.D.S.).
• Doctoral Fellowships: For women going for doctoral research degrees such as Ph.D. or Ed.D.
• Postdoctoral Fellowships: For those who already have a doctorate (like Ph.D., Ed.D., D.B.A., D.M.) or an M.F.A. and want to do research.

These fellowships are available to women in any field of study.

Benefits

The fellowship provides substantial financial support to cover a variety of expenses, allowing recipients to concentrate on their academic studies. The award amounts are listed below:

• Master's or First Professional Degree: $20,000
• Doctoral degree: $25,000.
• Postdoctoral research: $50,000.

The funding can be used for:

• Educational costs (tuition, books, and supplies)
• Living expenses (housing, utilities, and daily spending)
• Dependent Childcare
• Travel to professional meetings, conferences, or seminars (up to 10% of the total fellowship value)

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the AAUW International Fellowships, Pakistani citizens need to meet these requirements:

• Gender: You must be a woman or identify as a woman.
• Citizenship: You should hold citizenship in a country other than the U.S. (or have a nonimmigrant visa if you're living in the U.S.). Those who have dual citizenship with the U.S. and another country aren't eligible.
• Academic Degree: You need to have an academic degree that’s similar to a U.S. bachelor's degree by the application deadline, with a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Study Plan: You should plan to commit full-time to your academic program during the fellowship year.
• Return to Home Country: You must intend to go back to Pakistan for a professional career after completing your studies. This is an important part of the fellowship.
• English Proficiency: You need to show that you’re good at English. Here’s how you can do that:
  • Submit a valid TOEFL score (iBT: 79, Essentials: 8.5, Paper-Delivered: 60) or an IELTS score of 6.5.
  • Provide a statement confirming that your first language is English.
  • Share your academic transcript or diploma showing that you graduated from an institution where English is the main language or that you studied full-time for at least one semester at an English-speaking institution in a certain time period.
• University Enrollment/Application: Master's/first professional degree and doctoral applicants must have applied to a recognized US university for the fellowship year and provide the institution's name in their application. While acceptance is not necessary at the time of application, fellows must include official confirmation from the institution with their award acceptance documents.

How to Apply

The application process is mostly done online and needs you to get a few documents ready. Here's a simple guide for people from Pakistan:

• Make an Account: Go to the AAUW fellowships and grants website and set up an account.
• Choose Fellowship Type: Log in and pick International Fellowship as your application type.
• Fill Out the Online Application: Complete all the necessary sections in the online form, which usually asks for your background, proposal, recommendations, and supporting documents.
• Get Your Documents Ready: Make sure to prepare and upload these documents. If any are in another language, like Urdu, be sure to have certified translations in English.

Here’s what you’ll need to submit:

• Proof of Your Degree: Include a copy of your highest degree, like a bachelor's, and your official transcripts showing you earned it. If your grades aren’t on a 4.0 scale, please provide a GPA conversion.
• English Proficiency Proof: Send an official report with your TOEFL, IELTS, or Cambridge scores. If English is your first language, a letter confirming that works too. You can also submit a transcript or diploma from a school where you studied in English.
• Three Recommendation Letters: These should come from professors or work colleagues who know you well and can vouch for your skills and background. It’s best if they’re from your home country, Pakistan, and can discuss how your skills are needed there.
• CV/Resume: A detailed document with your academic and work history.
• Current Enrollment Proof (if needed): This can be transcripts or letters from the college or university you're attending.
• Proof of Doctorate or M.F.A. Degree: Only needed if you’re applying for a postdoctoral position.
• Letter of Admission: This isn't required when you apply, but you'll need it if you accept an award.
• Financial Statement: Include a budget and payment statement if it’s requested.
• Identification: A copy of your passport and national ID card for ID verification.

• Check it out: Go through your application really well before you hit submit. Make sure everything is correct and all the info is there.

Important Notes for Pakistani Applicants:

• Document Attestation: If you're a Pakistani citizen, you might need to get your academic documents verified. This usually means getting them attested by places like IBCC for your matric and intermediate papers, and HEC for your bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. Sometimes, you'll also need the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to get involved.
• Deadlines: Keep an eye on when applications open and close. Usually, this period is from August 1 to November 15 (Pacific Standard Time) every year.
• Visa: If you get accepted, you'll need to apply for a student visa to study in the U.S., either J-1 or F-1.

FAQs

1. Is the AAUW International Fellowship fully funded? 

The fellowship offers decent financial support for your education and living costs, as well as childcare and some travel for professional events. It covers a lot, but you may still have to pay for certain things, like trips home or equipment.

2. Do I need an admission letter from a U.S. university before applying for the fellowship?

Nope, you don’t need an acceptance letter when you apply. But you do need to have applied to an accredited U.S. school for the upcoming year and mention which one in your application. If you get the fellowship, you’ll have to show proof of your acceptance later.

3. Is IELTS/TOEFL mandatory for Pakistani applicants?

Yes, you need to show you’re good at English. You have to submit a score from TOEFL or IELTS unless you qualify for a waiver, like being a native speaker or having studied at an English-speaking school.

4. Can I apply if I’m already studying in the U.S. on a different visa?

A4: Yes, you can apply if you’re not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements and plan to return to your home country after finishing your studies.

5. What is the GPA requirement?

You should have a degree that’s equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree and a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.

6. What kind of commitment to women and girls is expected?

AAUW wants to see that you’re dedicated to helping women and girls in your community, whether that’s through volunteering, leadership, or research on women’s issues.

7. Can I pursue an online degree program with this fellowship?

Usually, the fellowship focuses on traditional in-person degree programs. They typically don’t fund distance learning or online degrees that rely a lot on online classes.

8. What happens after I finish my studies with the fellowship?

Recipients are expected to go back to Pakistan and use what they've learned to help their communities and country. That's a big part of what the AAUW International Fellowships are all about.

9. When will I hear back about my application?

You can expect to get an email about your application status around April 15.