What is the Alfa Beta Program at Wichita State University?
The Alfa Beta Program is a distinctive program that combines educational resources of Wichita State University (WSU) and the Alfa Beta Foundation. It is tailored for the exceptionally talented international students who seek to access American higher education through full scholarship packages and extensive access support services.
It was created in 2018 with the purpose of constructing global educational pathways while enriching the WSU campus community with skilled students from targeted areas in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
The program provides selected students with substantial financial aid and sponsored tuition, accommodation, living expenses supplemented by personal guidance, cultural integration, as well as professional development and career guidance.
Why Wichita State University? Alfa Beta Scholarship Opportunities.
Affordable Academics and Remarkable Value
Wichita State University – Awaits at the Frontier of Every Emerging Market Innovation is one of the most recognized research-public universities in the U.S for its:
- 200+ programs spanning over six colleges.
- 12:1 student to faculty ratio enabling personalized teaching.
- Great focus on hands-on and real-world learning through internships and research.
- Up-to-date infrastructure that includes the recently renovated Innovation Campus.
The scholarship’s purpose is to lift the financial restrictions that limit many international students from accessing world-class education and, thus, enhances their tremendous potential.
Career-Focused Education
Cross-industry collaboration is highly advantageous for Wichita State University, located in the largest city in Kansas due to:
- The powerful associations with key employers such as Koch Industries, Textron Aviation, and Spirit AeroSystems.
- The 74% statistic of WSU students that complete an internship before graduating.
- Career services for international students.
- Employment opportunities through optional practical training in the US after completing your studies.
Supportive Community for International Students
Though WSU is known to accept over 1,500 international students from 100 different countries, as well as provide:
- An International Student Services office for International students.
- Cross-cultural adjustment programs.
- English as a second language services.
- Providing international student organizations.
Alfa Beta Scholarship Benefits and Coverage
Eligible estudiantes of the alfa beta scholarship at Wichita State University obtain the following:
Financial Benefits
- Total tuition and fees for all years of study at WSU.
- Surrender in living expenses, set at 1200 to 1500 dollars, depending on the degree earned.
- Offer of residence on or off campus.
- Provision of books and educational materials up to $1,000.
- Health insurance.
- Moving allowance of $2,000 for new students.
- Round trip domestic flight once a year on the condition of residency permit.
Academic and Professional Support
- Academic advisor member of the Alfa beta program.
- Employment at Professional development workshops.
- Funding for Graduate Student Research.
- Payment for attending conferences.
- Working with the community.
Cultural and Social Integration
- Pre-departure orientation
- All-in-one arrival support
- Culture acclimatization training
- Volunteering activities
- Alfa Beta Scholar community engagement activities
Alfa Beta Program Eligibility Guidelines
Nationality Criteria
Only applicants who are citizens of the following regions are eligible to apply from the Alfa Beta initiative:
- Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam
- Africa: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa
- Latin America: Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru
Academic Criteria
- Undergraduate study applicants: Achieved high school GPA of above 85% or 3.5/4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Graduate study applicants: Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 3.3 GPA out of 4.0
- Emphasis on academic excellence with proper documents (transcripts, recommendation letters).
English Language Qualification
The applicant must have any of the following scores.
- TOEFL iBT: At least 79
- IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5 overall and no band lower than 6.0
- Duolingo English Test: Minimum score of 105
Other Requirements
- Proven leadership capability based on activities outside the classroom
- Civic or voluntary service
- Defined educational and professional steps for strategic development of home country
- Undertaking the promise to go back to home country after education
Step-by-step guide to applying for the Alfa Beta Program in WSU
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility (2-3 weeks before applying)
- Make sure your country is on the list of eligible nations
- Evaluate your education history and its alignment with eligibility criteria for your intended program.
- Take required English proficiency tests if applicable, including TOEFL or IELTS.
- Gather proof of documents showcasing activities relating to leadership and community involvement.
Step 2: Gather Application Materials (1-2 months prior to the deadlines)
The following documents must be provided:
- WSU international student application form should be filled out.
- Application for the Alfa Beta scholarship and other essay-based scholarships.
- Academic records, including certificates with accompanying translations, must be supplied.
- Proof of English proficiency documentation, such as TOEFL, IELTS, or GRE scores.
- Passport photocopy of the biographical section.
- Recommendation for two academic assessors who will write on your behalf.
- Written personal statement contemplating the phrase's ‘identifier for the phrase-‘800 word max. Required vocabulary scope.
Step 3: Submission of All Application Documents (Before Set Annual Deadline)
- Set yearly opening and closing sessions: September for enrollments and January for allotments.
- Complete the WSU international portal application.
- Provide additional documents pertinent to the Alfa Beta scholarship to its designated site.
- Either pay the stated fee or submit an application for exemption if criteria is met.
- Acknowledge submission confirmation.
Step 4: The Interview Phase (February to March)
- Employment applications are screened for suitability
- Online interviews for those who are shortlisted
- Panel interview with WSU and Alfa Beta Foundation.
- Topics covered include academic and career aspirations, leadership roles undertaken in the past and post-graduation activities.
Step 5: Selection and Notification (April)
- The final selection is done by the joint committee.
- Notifications awarding the scholarship are made officially through emails.
- There is an acceptance deadline which is mostly two weeks after winning the scholarship.
Step 6: Preparations Before Departure (May to July)
In accepting the scholarship, I have to:
- Prepare I-20 documents for F-1 visa
- Book an appointment and prepare for a visa interview at the American embassy or consulate
- Join virtual pre-departure briefing sessions
- Engage with active fellows of the Alfa Beta program
- Plan travel according to instructions given
Step 7: Arrival and Orientation (August)
- Free pick up to the airport is granted by WSU.
- Mandatory orientation for new Alfa Beta scholars
- Support with check-in to accommodation
- Introduction to the campus – tour of the facilities and orientation to services
- Meeting with the academic advisors
Key Academic Programs Popular Among Alfa Beta Scholars
Undergraduate Studies
- Engineering: Aerospace, Electrical, Industrial, and Mechanical
- Business: International Business, Management Information Systems
- Health Professions: Nursing and Public Health Sciences
- Liberal Arts: Communication, International Studies
- Fine Arts: Graphic Design, Digital Arts
Graduate Programs
- Engineering: MS in Aerospace Engineering, MS in Computer Science
- Business: MBA, MS in Management Science and Supply Chain Management
- Education: MEd in Educational Leadership
- Liberal Arts: MA in Communication, MPA in Public Administration
- Health Professions: Master of Public Health
Conclusion:
Your Accessibility to WSU: Tema University is Through Alfa Beta
The scholarship offered at Wichita State University comes with more than just monetary support Covers wide ranging costs. It's an extensive program that is offered dedicated to catapulting young international students into global leaders who can greatly develop their home countries.
The supporting advocates goes in par working hand in hand—at a competitive application criteria focused on academic merit, leadership level, and community development are a prerequisite. For complete assistance like financial structured from external strangers after selection, the support extends far beyond to an aided community.
If you are an ambitious student who comes from one of the eligible countries, then this could be your opportunity to get a world-renowned American education without incurring the considerable expenses that come with it.
Take care to start your application process early and double check that you fulfill all the requirements. Focus on not just displaying your academic credentials, but also your leadership skills and how you intend to use your education to help your community back home.
FAQs
Q: May I reach out for the Alfa Beta funding while I am already in WSU and have started studying there?
A: The Alfa Beta Scholarship Program applies mostly to students that are just incoming to a new institution. Other students in WSU face very restrictive conditions, unless there are some exceptional circumstances, and they have to be no more than at the end of one semester of study.
Q: Is there a particular list of areas of study associated with the scholarship under Alfa Beta?
A: Every field of study can submit as part of the application; however, there might be a competitive preference for those aligned with the priorities set for the participating country. Usually it is the STEM, business, education, public health, and even agriculture.
Q: What if I fall short of the required GPA for academic progression?
A: For example, students on scholarship who have a GPA below 3.0 will be put on scholarship probation after one semester. You will be provided with additional support and mentoring to help you raise your GPA. Failing to meet the GPA requirement may lead to a reduction or termination of scholarship funding in the subsequent semester.
Q: Can family members accompany me while I am WSU?
A: Inferior family members can be added with a dependent visa; however, the Alfa Beta scholarship does not cover costs for dependents. Alongside this, additional financial resources to support a family must be demonstrated by the scholar.
Q: What Actions are Taken to Assist Me as I Experience Cultural Adjustment Problems?
A: The program has complete cultural adjustment support services that includes the following:
- Counselors dedicated to international students
- Mentoring by peer Alfa Beta scholar
- Cultural adjustment training sessions
- Available mental health services
Student’s Testimonials
“The Alfa Beta Scholars at Wichita State “Challenges do arise when one chooses to study abroad, however with the support provided, not only financially, but also socially from the community truly gave me the boost that I needed,” Alina Rodriguez, Computer Science Major from Colombia said.
“Networking at WSU's Innovation Campus proved to be invaluable, and it has enabled me to Intern at NetApp, which is a remarkable change in my career,” Emmanuel Okonkowo, A Graduate Student in Aerospace Engineering from Nigeria.
Emmanuel Okonkwo, Aerospace Engineering Graduate Student from Nigeria "As someone passionate about developing Nigeria's aviation industry, studying at WSU—located in the 'Air Capital of the World'—has been transformative. The Alfa Beta program's industry connections helped me secure research opportunities with Spirit Aero Systems that directly apply to challenges we face back home."
