Renewing your Fulbright Status as a Master's Degree Student on a University Sponsored Grant

Earlier the U.S. Department of State (ECA) did not allow U.S. Fulbright students to renew their Fulbright status for the second year of their Master’s studies in Finland. On August 25, 2022, however, ECA and IIE confirmed that beginning academic year 2022-23 grantees can apply for a renewal in accordance with the following guidelines:

Prerequisites for the Fulbright status renewal

  • The grantee continues studies in Finland in the same master’s program as in the first year.
  • The grantee has been successful in their first year of studies, and the tuition award provided by the host institution continues to be available for the grantee’s second year of studies in line with the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ion’s agreement with the host university.
  • The grantee studies in Finland during the second year, i.e., cannot be doing an exchange period abroad, such as Erasmus, on a Fulbright status.
  • The grantee has worked out a sufficient and realistic funding plan for the second year of studies. A monthly maintenance allowance is not provided by the Fulbright Finland ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ion for the second year. (In some cases, the host institution/sponsor may be providing maintenance. If so, the grantee should include documentation of that in the funding plan.)
  • If the grantee’s residence permit is not valid for their second year of studies, they are responsible for securing it themselves.

Benefits of the Fulbright status renewal

If your status is renewed for the completion of your degree, your official Fulbright term will be renewed for the second year of your degree program, and you receive a renewal document to your Fulbright Finland ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ion Grant Authorization. The benefits for the second year of study include the following:

  • ASPE benefits including ASPE Assist (note the restrictions in )
  • Opportunity for federal student 
  • Opportunity to participate in selected enrichment activities provided by the Fulbright Finland ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ion
  •  extension (Note: Completion Certificates are only sent after completion of the first year)

Responsibilities

  • Continue to comply with and Fulbright Program Terms and Conditions
  • Complete standard Fulbright reporting requirements, including Mid-Year and Final Reports
  • Serve as a peer mentor, for instance, in orientations for new grantees

How to proceed?

The ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ion contacts all Master's student grantees annually in the spring to inquire about their interest in applying for a renewal of their Fulbright status. You will be asked to review the above preconditions, responsibilities, and instructions carefully and email your program coordinator at the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ion ([email protected]) the following information by a given deadline:

  • the information and proof that you fulfill all the prerequisites listed above,
  • your latest transcript of records,
  • a detailed funding plan for the second year of studies in Finland, and
  • requested time of the renewal, including the exact dates of the second academic year.

If you fulfill all the prerequisites for the renewal and the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ion supports the renewal of your Fulbright status, the ºÚÁÏÕýÄÜÁ¿ion will inform your host and the U.S. program partners about the renewal.