The General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS) and the Western Illinois University (WIU) in the United States have decided to support outstanding individuals from the Americas by awarding partial supplemental scholarship to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies.
About the Partnering Institution: Western Illinois University (WIU)
The General Secretariat of the OAS (GS/OAS) is the central and permanent organ of the Organization of American States (OAS). Through its Department of Human Development, Education and Employment (DHDEE), the GS/OAS supports Member States in creating policies and implementing programs that promote the development of human capabilities at all educational levels. By enabling educational opportunities for citizens, DHDEE strengthens democratic values and security within the framework of regional integration. DHDEE does
this by: (i) supporting the efforts of OAS member states to improve quality and equity in education; and (ii) helping the citizens of the Americas to develop their full potential by providing them with access to knowledge and skills through training that improves the living standards of individuals, families and communities in the region.
Western Illinois University (WIU) is in Macomb, Il, just over three hours from Chicago and two hours from St. Louis. The institution was founded in 1899 and has an enrollment of approximately 6000 students. Over 500 international students from more than 50 countries attend WIU. Latin America and the Caribbean account for over 150 of our international students who mostly hail from Asia and Africa. WIU offers over 80 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level including all STEM disciplines including engineering;
business, education, information technology, agriculture, and nursing. WIU offers an array of scholarships and assistantships designed to reduce the cost of higher education for international students. Housing is available on campus and off campus at comparatively very low prices by US standards. Local transportation is free. WIU provides an arrival orientation, airport pickups, and Zoom preparation meetings as well as a fully electronic and expeditious admission process.
Scholarship Overview
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS: Undergraduate Programs, Graduate Programs
MODALITY: Onsite, Online, Hybrid (United States):
LANGUAGE: English
DURATION: 2 – 4 years
APPLICATION DEADLINE: University and scholarship: Fall 2025: April 30, 2025. Open only to admitted students from OAS member states, except the United States, starting Fall 2025.
APPLY NOW
Benefits of the OAS Western Illinois University Scholarship:
The Western Illinois University will offer partial supplemental scholarships based on academic performance for its undergraduate and graduate programs with the opportunity to earn additional scholarships and assistantships.
● WIU will waive the application fee for OAS candidates
● The OAS, through WIU, will provide a one-time supplementary amount of USD $1,000 to support tuition
and fees for scholarship recipients.
Please note that significant residual tuition and other costs after the scholarship(s) deduction remain the responsibility of the student.
Areas of Study
WIU offers over 100 innovative undergraduate and graduate degree programs, integrated programs, pre-professional programs, and certificate programs:
- List of Undergraduate Programs: Academic Programs – WIU
- List of Graduate Programs: Academic Programs – WIU
✔ Interested undergraduate students have the option to begin all programs
online with the application of academic scholarship.
✔ Acceptance of CAPE and Caribbean College credits with a 2+1+2 or 2+2+1
format for CAPE/Caribbean Colleges (Two years college or CAPE one or two
years online + two or one year on campus resulting in Savings in cost of living)
✔ No SAT required for The Bahamas students and no Standardized tests for
transfer students who have completed at least one year of college.
✔ OAS Scholarship applicable to fully online degrees
✔ Articulation agreements with CXC and ALL Caribbean Colleges
✔ Study Abroad Programs operational or planned for Ecuador, Argentina,
Grenada, Costa Rica
✔ The WIU will inform of its other university partners that offer scholarships and
training benefits to citizens of OAS Member States.
Application for Admissions Information: Fall 2025
- Applicants may contact the Center for Global Studies through Associate Vice President, Dr. Randy Glean at [email protected]. Please note: Commitment of significant personal funds is necessary to facilitate enrollment.
- Applicants must be admitted to Western Illinois University to be considered for the OAS-WIU Scholarship through the university. Additional Benefits and Services Provided to International Students:
● Electronic admission application.
● Scholarship awarded upon admission (Minimum 3.0 GPA required).
● Scholarship renewal automatic with 3.0 GPA regardless of level.
● Free Airport/Train pickups.
● Free local transportation year-round.
● Organized Low Cost Off Campus Housing for Junior/Seniors guaranteed, with guaranteed on campus housing (required for
freshmen/sophomores).
● Visa preparation.
● Step by step process with monthly Zoom meetings for prospects.
● Grad school prep and explorations.
● Full career placement services, personal advising, and Counseling Center.
● Legal seminars for H1-B/NIW.
● Health Center with full medical staff on campus.
● Small city with low crime and low cost of living in a rural setting.
● Shopping trips and support organizations, including multiple Caribbean organizations.
● NCAA Division 1 sports (Basketball, Football, Baseball, Soccer, Track and field) and Cricket field and Cricket tournaments.
● Dance team, Steel Band and several other bands.
● Free food pantry for emergency crises and free winter coats for hardship situations.
The OAS Western Illinois University Scholarship Application Process
Application for admission to Western Illinois University includes:
- To apply for an OAS-WIU Scholarship, it is essential to have been admitted to one of the undergraduate or graduate programs at the University.
- The applicant must submit all supporting documents as required by the University for admission consideration.
Contact Information
For guidance on the program and the admissions process, please contact: Dr. Randy Glean at [email protected] or (309) 298-1920 or website at Center for Global Studies – WIU.
OAS-Western Illinois University Scholarship Application Upon admission to the study program, the applicant will automatically be considered as a candidate for the OAS-Western Illinois University scholarship.
Selection of OAS-Western Illinois University Scholarship Recipients Western Illinois University and the OAS will form a specialized committee to select the scholarship recipients. The elements that will be considered in awarding the scholarships include the following aspects:
Geographic distribution of the candidates, taking into account the most important needs of the Member States, according to the Human Development Index reported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
- Academic profile, merit and academic credentials
- Applicant’s potential impact on the completion of the study program
- Gender distribution
Scholarship Acceptance Process
- Only selected applicants will be contacted by OAS via email, where they will receive the scholarship offer and instructions for acceptance.
- Once the candidate has accepted the scholarship offer, the scholarship recipient must contact Western Illinois University for next steps in the process.
Publication of OAS-Western Illinois University Scholarship Results The publication of the results of the selected candidates will be made available at www.oas.org/scholarships by June 2025. OAS will contact selected applicants by email with the scholarship offer and instructions for acceptance of the scholarship. Unsuccessful applicants will not be contacted.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Scholarship Recipient
The scholarship will be formally awarded only after the selected scholarship recipients have signed an OAS/ Western Illinois University Acceptance Form, in which the recipients formally accept the scholarship and agree to its terms and conditions.
Refrain from engaging in activities that are incompatible with their status as an OAS Scholarship recipient, in accordance with the rules set forth in this Acceptance Form. Comply with all academic guidelines and admission requirements requested by Western Illinois University and submit to any updates to those guidelines and requirements made by the academic authorities of Western Illinois University
Comply with the provisions of the “Financial Responsibilities of Awardees”. In order to retain the scholarship, scholarship recipients must not be reported with poor academic performance (GPA must be equivalent to 3.0/4.0 at least), due to absences from the program and/or failing courses.
The scholarship recipient may decline the scholarship prior to the program start date without financial penalty. However, if the scholarship is declined after that date without proof of force majeure, the OAS and the Western Illinois University may require the scholarship recipient to repay all funds awarded under the scholarship at the time the relinquishment is processed.
Commitment to remain in their sponsoring country or legal residence in one of the OAS Member States, or in an international organization, for the duration of the scholarship. If this commitment is not fulfilled, the GS/OAS and/or Western Illinois University may request reimbursement of the full amount of the scholarship awarded.
Scholarship Contact Information
Questions regarding this scholarship opportunity should be sent to [email protected] under the title “OAS-Western Illinois University Scholarship Program”, or to Center for Global Studies at the Western Illinois University at Center for Global Studies – WIU.
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