American Friends Scholarship Programme

"I would like to offer you my deep gratitude for granting me this award and making it possible for me to be here in Brighton, studying at Sussex. This scholarship gives me the freedom to pursue my studies full-time, and the confidence to attend to my coursework and research with added vigor. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to be able to study a subject about which I am passionate at one of the world's top universities.

The knowledge and experience I will gain during this course will allow me to take on leadership roles in the development of educational programs for resettled refugees in the United States, and for those still residing in camps around the world. I hope that my success on this course and in my future endeavors will do justice to the great honor that this scholarship bestows. "

Suzanne Owens, 2011-12 US Friends Scholar

The American Friends Board of Directors, is keen to offer an increasing number of students from the US the opportunity to study at Sussex. Since 2007, the American Friends Board has offered an increasing number of scholarships awarded on academic merit.

With an international reputation as a leading research institution with an interdisciplinary approach to teaching, Sussex is the first choice of many prospective students from the US. For some of these students, a scholarship from the Friends of the University of Sussex can make their aspiration of studying at Sussex and living abroad a reality.

We are incredibly grateful to alumni based in the US for supporting these scholarships. If you would like to receive more information about the Friends of the University of Sussex, or alumni events and activities in the US, please email americanfriends@sussex.ac.uk

Below are the students who will receive a Friends Scholarship in 2012-13 to study a Master’s degree at Sussex:

Alex Harshberger	Development economics	Pittsburgh
Amanda Galvin	Applied Social Psychology	California
Nicholas Rebol	Philosophy	Oregon
Martha Zumack	Conflict Security and Development	Texas

"I hope you recognize that by awarding me these funds, you've allowed me access not only to a top-tier education at the University of Sussex, but the irreplaceable moments of student life that come with it. For this, I can again only offer a sincere, heartfelt thank you, and a promise to make the most of the time and the experiences awarded to me."

Austin Scott, 2011-12 US Friends Scholar

When you give to the American Friends of the University of Sussex not only is the donation tax-exempt under the American Friends 501(c)3 status but the gift is then used to support American students studying at University of Sussex as well as the University's broader development initiatives. Since the founding of the American Friends Board of Directors, the Board has been active in voting to commit gifts in support of the University's strategic priorities.

"It is with profound sincerity that I extend my thanks as a recipient of the USA Friends Scholarship for the Masters Course in International Education and Development that I am currently pursuing. With the help of this scholarship, I have been able to fully participate in my course, attend seminars in the IDS, the schools of education and social work and even be a Student Representative for my course."

Allison Pelissier, 2011-12 US Friends Scholar

"I'm a product of Sussex's enlightened approach to selecting students - a process that recognises potential not just actual academic qualifications. I applied to a number of universities when I was 22, realising that the lack of a degree was going to hurt my professional and personal development. Although several universities responded to my application, all of them bar Sussex required me to re-take my A-levels and to justify why I should take the place of an 18-year-old school-leaver.

"I was surprised to find that not only did the University embrace the concept of older students applying for a place, but that instead of necessarily making them go back to A-levels (not a happy experience for many mature students!) they were prepared to consider other ways to evaluate whether or not an applicant would be able to cope with the academic programme. Sussex gave me a second chance to get it right, and I wasn't about to let that opportunity pass me by. Asking me to complete a set essay and attend an interview to assess my suitability, my application was accepted, and I studied for a BA in Politics, graduating with 1st-class honours in 1987.

"From Sussex, I went to Columbia University Business School in New York, graduating with an MBA, and embarked on a career in strategy and transactions with companies like Booz Allen, GTE and Wendy's International."

Jonathan Catherwood, (ENGAM, 1984) member of the Board of American Friends