FAQ's - Proposed 2017 WCCC Scholarship Project

 

Will Participating Universities & Colleges be allowed to Nominate Candidates for Scholarships?

Yes. Participating Universities will be able to encourage or even nominate existing students from Developing Countries & Small Island States to apply for a Scholarship so long as they are undertaking a field of study relevant to climate change.

 

If Students enrolling at a Participating University or College ask for Financial Aid, can they be referred to the WCCC Scholarship Program for that Aid?

Yes. Students from Developing Countries who apply to your university directly to undertake studies which are seeking Financial Aid can also be recommended for a WCCC Scholarship by the university

 

Can students who finish one degree or course at a Participating University or College apply to do further studies at that University or College?

Yes. Students who have completed their Degree or such and want to continue their studies can be recommended for a WCCC Scholarship by the University or College.

 

Do students from Developing Countries & Small Island States recommended by Participating Universities & Colleges gain preference for their studies?

Yes. Students recommended by Participating Universities & Colleges will be given priority for scholarships.

 

Can existing Students half way through their studies at a Participating University or College apply for a Scholarship?

Yes. Students half way through their studies can be recommended by a Participating University for a Scholarship.

 

How do you determine the number of Scholarships each participating University & College will receive?

The number of Scholarships allocated to each University is based upon a very simple formula. We will allocate USD1 million of new Full Ride Scholarships per year to each participating University or College. Based on an average of the Tuition Fees & Living Expenses charged by universities in the US, England & Australia we have allowed USD50,000/year/Full-Ride-Scholarship in our proposal to the Green Climate Fund. 

 

This figure was derived from our calculations that the overall global average cost for Tuition, books, etc, etc, per year was USD35,000. We then added USD 15,000 for Living Expenses, Health Insurance, etc for each student per year. If a University’s or College’s Full-Ride Scholarship cost is our stated average of USD 50,000/year then that University or College would receive 20 new scholarship students per year. (total USD 1 Million)

 

If a University’s or College’s Full-Ride Scholarship cost is USD 66,000/year then that University or College would receive 15 new scholarship students per year. (total USD 1 Million) If a University’s or College’s Full-Ride Scholarship cost is USD 33,000/year then that University or College would receive 30 new scholarship students per year. (total USD 1 Million)

 

Hence the number of scholarships per year per University or College is based upon how many scholarship students we can place at any Participating University or College for USD1 million/year. 

 

What Does the Six (6) Year Participation Fee Entitle Universities & Colleges to?

The six (6) year Participation Fee entitles Universities to, 

• Six year Inclusion into the WCCC Scholarship Program.

• Full-Ride Scholarship Funding for approximately twenty (20) young people from Developing Countries & Small Island States, for each of the four (4) intake years of the program, to complete their Diploma, Undergraduate, Graduate, Masters or PhD’s Climate Change related field of study at your University.

• University Logo on all WCCC web sites as a University or College which is supporting Climate Change Education for young people from Developing Countries & Small Island States for six years.

• The WCCC will promote all Participating Universities & Colleges to Students who attend WCCC Regional Education Expos who are looking to undertake Climate Change related studies outside of the scholarship program.

• The WCCC will promote all Participating Universities & Colleges to the Governments of the more than 100 Developing Countries whose young people will be beneficiaries of the WCCC Scholarship Program.

• The WCCC will if asked provide References & Assistance for Participating Universities & Colleges which are establishing or growing markets, partnering or applying for licenses in Developing Countries such as Vietnam & India.

• Contribute relevant stories to the WCCC Student Newsletter which will be distributed to the more than 20,000 interested in undertaking Climate Change related studies.

 

How confident is the WCCC that our submission will be successful?

The argument for creating a pool of highly educated people who have the developed capacity to address the generational challenges of climate change, within the borders of their own country, is both extremely strong and compelling.

 

Furthermore the Green Climate Fund (GCF) operates with very clear guidelines for mobilizing funding to Developing Nations & Small Island States. A key element for mobilization funding for a project to any Developing Nation or Small Island State is that the proposed project must have the written support of the United Nations Focal Point of the county which the project is targeting.   For  example  a  Proposed  Climate Mitigation  Project  in  Vietnam  would  require  the  United Nations Focal Point of Vietnam to Support the project before it can be considered by the UNGCF Board.

 

In the case of the GCF Scholarship Program we are targeting young people from all Developing Countries & Small Island States  which  are  eligible  to  receive  Green  Climate  Fund Grants. Hence we will be submitting with our proposal, Letters  of Support which we will have received from the United Nations  Focal  Points  of  more  than  75  Developing  Nations & Small Island States (Some Examples). This will be an unprecedented occurrence for any project  to  date.

 

When will you know when the project has been accepted by the GCF for funding?

We will be submitting the proposal to the Green Climate Fund in the beginning of April 2016. We expect it will take another 2 – 3 months of deliberations & requests for more information, before we get a final answer from the GCF. We are anticipating the scholarship program will be fully operational in late 2016.

 

What will be the Costs of Participation after the Program has been Accepted by the GCFG?

The World Climate Change Challenge will handle all enquires & initial applications from students from all over the world from Developing Countries & Small Island States who wish to apply for a UNGCF Scholarship. Furthermore we will assess & grade applicants against all others based upon a set of criteria,  which will include their secondary school scores, English capabilities (or language of their selected studies), references & an essay which they will need to write regards, ‘How do they see climate change affecting their nation’ & ‘How do they believe they will be able to contribute to their nation’s fight against climate change after successfully completing their chosen field of study.’

 

Only students which have been selected to receive Scholarships from the above assessment processes will be directed to the web site (or contact person) of a participating University or College to enroll into their selected post or undergraduate course.

 

There are to be 1,500 scholarships given to students to attend one of our 75 participating Universities & Colleges in the first year. We are expecting more than 15,000 applications from students around the world for these scholarships. Hence the WCCC will require a considerable number of staff to operate the ‘Scholarship Assessment Centre.’

 

To cover these costs the WCCC will charge Universities & Colleges a onetime ‘Student Assessment & Placement Fee’(SAPF). This fee will be 2.5% of the first year’s Tuition Fee of the course. For example if a student undertakes a 3 year Degree Course the SAPF would be just 2.5% of the first year’s tuition costs. No fees would be charge for the second or third year of the course. 

 

Will our University or College have to Match Scholarship Funds?

There will be NO requirement to match funds or discount normal course fees.

 

Will our University or College be expected to contribute to Roadshows & Promotions?

The WCCC will conduct numerous ‘Roadshows’ within Developing Countries to inform prospective scholarship applicants of the UNGCFSP. The Campuses of participating Universities & Colleges will be promoted at these events. However, other than providing some brochures or similar Universities & Colleges will not be asked to contribute financially to the staging of these events.

 

Will our University or College be able have a Link to the UNGCFSP Site?

Participating Universities & Colleges will be able to link their web site to the UNGCFSP site. This will allow students from a long list of international destinations who visit your web site looking for any scholarship opportunities or financial aid to be directed back to the UNGCFSP site where they will be able to apply for a scholarship to attend your university or college.

 

What happens if you do not get funding from the Green Climate Fund?

If the Green Climate Fund (GCF) does not initially fund the entire project, or certain parts of the project, we will make changes to the proposal as they ask and re-submit the project for reconsideration. If the GCF cannot for some reason fund the entire project, the WCCC will seek further funding from other Global Climate Change Funds (of which they are many).

 

Because the Scholarship Program, which will create a pool of 8,000-10,000  highly skilled ‘Climate Workers’ for Developing Countries & Small Island States by 2020, is a critical element for the Development of strong ‘Climate Change Industries’ in Developing Countries, one way or the other the WCCC must achieve full funding for the project in 2016.

 

Is there any cost to students for participation in the program?

No.. There are absolutely no costs for Students in the  Application, or Registration Processes in the WCCC Program.