Joe and Anneliese Zauchner Intensive English Study Scholarship

The Zauchner IEP Study Scholarship provides full tuition, student fees, health insurance, textbooks, and on campus apartment style housing and basic meal plan for students to study in the Intensive English Program at Western Washington University. Those eligible for the scholarship must meet the qualifications stated below. 

Qualifications

Applicants must be European citizens of Austrian or German descent, who have completed gymnasium and who demonstrate strong academic or language-learning potential.  Preferred current English level of applicants is A2 - B2; this is a language learning program and highly advanced speakers may not benefit. Applicants may be current undergraduate or graduate students, although this is not a requirement of the scholarship.

Applicants must be accepted into the Intensive English Program and must be eligible to apply for an F-1 Student Visa for study in the United States. Applicants must be able to pay transportation costs to and from Bellingham, Washington State, U.S.A., and show proof of at least US $1,000 to cover extra meals and personal miscellaneous expenses.

Applicants must demonstrate academic ability.  Preference will be given to students with a Grade Average of 2.0 (equivalent to a U.S. Grade Point Average of 3.0 or B) or higher in gymnasium or university work.  Other criteria, such as financial need, educational and career goals, and participation in school activities and community service will be strongly considered.  

Applicants must be willing to assist the IEP office in at least 5 hours of cultural service during the quarter. This can include planning and/or participating in campus international events, speaking to prospective international students, participating in interviews and profiles for print and digital marketing materials, and other activities that encourage mutual cultural growth agreed upon by the student and advisor.

Applicants may generally only apply for one quarter. Strong educational and career goals will be a major factor in awarding scholarships of more than one quarter.

Required Steps to Apply

  1. Complete the Intensive English Program Application.
  2. Complete a free virtual English placement evaluation with IEP staff.*
  3. Prepare and submit the following documents to iep@wwu.edu.
    • Unofficial grade transcripts from universities or gymnasiums attended.
    • A copy of passport or government photo ID with birth date.
    • Two letters of recommendation, preferably from former or current teachers or professors.
    • Financial document to show at least $1,000 USD to cover miscellaneous expenses (for the application, this does not need to be an official bank letter)
    • One-page statement, written in English (to the best of your ability). 
      • Include your educational and career goals.
      • Include why you want to study English in the U.S. and what you hope to do with your language skills after your study abroad experience. 
      • Include your need for scholarship funds
      • Include any significant activities and/or honors attained while in gymnasium and university

*Applicants will need to complete a free virtual English placement evaluation after submitting their online application. This includes a one-hour video call to assess speaking and listening skills, and reading and writing evaluations that students complete on their own time. These results will be used to determine if the level of the program will be a good fit.

Application Deadlines for 2024-2025 Academic Year:

Fall 2024 (September - December): March 8, 2024
Winter 2025 (January - March): July 12, 2024
Spring 2025 (March - June): October 11, 2024

Applications are due by the deadlines listed above. Applications will be reviewed after these deadlines and scholarships will be offered to selected applicants within 3 weeks.  Scholarship recipients will have 1 week to accept the offer.

Next Steps:

  1. Upon initial acceptance, an acknowledgement of award letter will be sent to you. Submit a brief statement to iep@wwu.edu, formally accepting the scholarship award within one week.
  2. Submit your one-time nonrefundable $75 registration fee.
  3. Receive your I-20 form and use the SEVIS number to make your visa appointment and pay the visa application fee.
  4. After confirming your visa appointment, submit your SEVIS I-901 fee payment and print 2 receipts.
  5. Take your I-20 and other documents with you to your visa interview.
    • An original printed I-20 (not a copy), signed with blue or black ink
    • A passport valid for at least 6 months.
    • A copy of your SEVIS (I-901) Fee receipt
    • Proof of financial ability to cover the cost of miscellaneous expenses/extra meals
    • The following document is also required for your visa interview, but will be provided by the IEP office:
      • Proof of financial ability to cover the cost of tuition and living expenses.
  6. Apply for housing (Birnam Wood Apartments, double occupancy with 95 block Meal Plan) and confirm your arrival. Information to complete these steps will be sent via email after acceptance to the IEP.
  7. For tax purposes, recipients of the scholarship must complete the W-8BEN form for the IRS and return it to the IEP office. See the instructions on the IRS website or contact the IEP office with questions.