What is the MA Scholarship program?

By the initiative of the President of Georgia, MA Scholarship program has been operating since 2005. Aim of the program is to fund studies of Georgian citizens at the world’s top universities.

Who is eligible to participate in the MA programs competition?

In order to obtain grant, all willing candidates who graduated from higher educational institution, are not over 40 and are enrolled in the higher educational institution abroad at MA program, are able to participate in the competition.

Does it matter which university accepted the applicant?

Those candidates, who have been enrolled at the priority faculties of the high ranking foreign universities, selected and published in advance, will be funded.

Where can I get the list of selected universities?

The list of universities, with the specific specialties and departments is available on the web-site of MES: www.mes.gov.ge

What are the criteria, MES selects the universities in the scope of MA Scholarship program?

When making the list of priority universities, we mainly rely on the annual international ranking (US News and World Report, The Times, The Financial Times). In certain cases, we consider cooperation experience with some universities.

How should one get admission to the university?

Candidate independently passes the admission procedure at the university. You should select the higher educational institution from the presented list, fill out the application of the university and satisfy the requirements of the university.

Can the candidate communicate with the university on behalf of MES?

Candidate should communicate with the university individually and independently from MES as MES does not interfere in and determine relations between the university and the student. MES is authorized to fund the candidate according to the decision of the Selection Board only in the case, candidate is admitted at the university.

Does MES determine the admission procedures and requirements of the selected universities?

MES does not determine admission procedures and requirements of the selected universities. Each university defines requirements independently and oneis able to find the information on the web-sites of the universities.

How long does it take to review admission documentation?

Reviewing the admission documents in the foreign universities takes three months. However, it is better to find more precise information on the web-sites of the selected universities.  Each university defines the timeframe independently.

What should I do after receiving the admission letter? Where should I deliver documents in order to obtain the grant?

As soon as the candidate receives the admission letter, he/she should apply on the web-site of MES   (www.mes.gov.ge  ) through the existing electronic system. Submission of the documentation has been held in electronic form since 2009.

What kind of information is necessary to fill out the application?

Following information should be submitted in the electronic application:

• Personal information;
• Education;
• Diplomas;
• Working experience;
• Contact information of the referees;
• Motivation letter;
• Amount of the required sum and purpose.

What are the stages of the competition?

The competition covers following stages:

• Applying in the electronic form within the timeframe of the competition and filling out the application;
• Interview with the Selection Board.

Does it have a crucial importance when I fill the electronic application?

You are able to fill out the application at the early level. However, you should take into consideration that filling the final application out is reasonable only after receiving the admission letter from the university.

What are the assessment criteria of the Selection Board at the interview?

Leadership potential, motivation, amount of the requested sum, working experience and education are assessed at the interview.

Are the expenditures of the candidate covered fully or partially?

Decision on the amount of the allocated sum is made considering applicant’s needs and the budget of the program.

Does the program cover the exam fee of TOEFL?

MES does not cover TOEFL exam fee. It is covered by the candidate independently.

Who is the decision-maker on the grant allocation and the sum of the grant?

Decision-maker is the Selection Board.

How long is necessary for approving the grant?

Applicant is informed on the grant allocation and the amount of the grant after the interview or no later than a week.

Does one and the same candidate have the right to apply for funding more than once?

One and the same candidate has no right to apply for funding more than once. Candidate is funded only one time in the scope of the MA Scholarship program.

Is it necessary for the applicant to be in Georgia during the interview?

It is necessary for the applicant to be in Georgia during the interview. Telephone interview with the members of the Selection Board is not allowed any more.

When is the grant holder able to receive the grant?

Receiving the grant will be available on the basis of the mutual agreement between the issuer of the grant and recipient.

How is the grant transferred: to the personal account or directly to the account of the university?

On the basis of the represented invoice, tuition fee is transferred directly to the university account. The sum, covering everyday living expenses is transferred quarterly to the recipient of the grant to the indicated account. The account can be opened either in Georgian bank or abroad. The transfer is made in accordance with the NBG exchange rate of the day.

Does MES provide employment to the recipient of the grant after graduating from the university?

MES does not take responsibility for providing recipients of the grants with employment. However, in the case of the relevant addressing from the other agencies, MES will connect employer and ad graduates with each other.

Does MES issue some kind of recommendations for the willing candidates or the candidates funded by MES?

MES does not issue recommendations for any candidates.