Who is eligible for the ASU/CONACYT fellowship?
All Mexican citizens with permanent residency in Mexico are eligible to apply. There is no age limit. (Go to top)

I am a Mexican citizen already enrolled at ASU. Am I eligible for the ASU/CONACYT fellowship?
Yes. Mexican citizens already enrolled in an ASU graduate program (please refer to the list of eligible programs - ASU | CONACYT) can also apply to the ASU/CONACYT fellowship to fund the remaining of their program. Interested students should send to CONACYT, in addition to the documentation required for application, proof of enrollment and duration, any certificate obtained by the time of the application, and a summary of the graduate research being conducted signed by the thesis coordinator. (Go to top)

What are the ASU graduate programs eligible for the ASU/CONACYT fellowship?
Most ASU graduate programs, including doctoral and master's degree programs, are eligible with the exception of the master’s degree in business administration (MBA), the law program and graduate studies in the fine arts. Preference is given to doctoral programs. (Go to top)

What does the ASU/CONACYT fellowship cover for the students?
The fellowship offers students:

• Tuition
• Any mandatory fee, except the $50 USD dollar application fee
• $1,000 USD monthly stipend
• Health insurance aid ($715 USD for single and $1,970 USD for married students per year)

During the first three years of the program, CONACYT pays ASU for the students' tuition and mandatory fees. The $1,000 USD monthly stipend as well as the health insurance aid is paid directly to the students through a bank deposit. In the last two years of the program (usually in the case of doctoral programs), ASU will cover students' costs by offering them a graduate assistantship. ASU assistantships cover tuition, health insurance and salary on a bi-monthly basis. (Go to top)

How much is the CONACYT stipend and health insurance aid?
CONACYT pays a monthly stipend of $1,000 USD for single students and $1,250 USD for students with dependants (spouse and children). The CONACYT health insurance aid totals $715 USD for single and $1,970 USD for married students, per year for the first three years. During the fourth and fifth year, ASU covers the health insurance cost in whole. (Go to top)

What are the students' responsibilities for maintaining the fellowship?
Students under the ASU/CONACYT Fellowship should perform above average in their assigned programs, have exclusive dedication to their program (be registered full time), graduate on time, send a report of activities signed by their program coordinator at the end of each semester and return to Mexico for academic and research activities. (Go to top)

What is the application process?
First, the student interested in enrolling at a graduate program at ASU under the ASU/CONACYT Fellowship should gather information on application requirements, process and deadlines. The student will then need to submit an application to the ASU graduate program of choice by the deadline (Please contact your ASU department for information on additional requirements and deadline, since those may vary). After being accepted at ASU, the student will need to send CONACYT the ASU acceptance letter plus the application material required by CONACYT by the deadline (see the following link for deadline details: http://www.conacyt.mx/Becas/Aspirantes/Convocatorias/ 2007/Convocatoria_Demanda-Libre-Convenios_2007.pdf). (Go to top)

What do I need to do to apply?
It is advisable for the student to allow at least a year prior to the desired start date of the graduate program in order to plan and prepare the application:

• Evaluate the options and choose the ASU department and graduate program of interest.
• Gather information on the ASU program, as well as ASU and CONACYT application requirements, processes and deadlines. Most of this information is available on the Internet; however, it is also helpful to directly contact with the ASU department or faculty and start communication.
• Schedule and prepare for examinations. TOEFL, GRE, GMAT or any other required exam can be taken monthly in most major Mexican cities (please contact the test administrator for more information). Please schedule examination well in advance because time slots fill quickly.
• Prepare application packet. The student should allow time to elaborate and gather documentation required, such as recommendation letters, official transcripts and the statement of purpose.
• Apply to ASU (please check the application requirements and double check with your ASU department for any additional requirement or deadline). While completing the ASU application form online, the student needs to check the option ‘CONACYT' in the scholarship program section.
• Apply to CONACYT after receiving the ASU acceptance letter. The student should apply to CONACYT under the 'Convocatoria Demanda Libre y Convenios 2007.'

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How can I complete the ASU online application form?
The ASU online application form is available at the Division of Graduate Studies Web site. A tutorial with detailed information on how to fill out the form is also available. (Go to top)

What are the general requirements to apply to ASU?
Updated information on application requirements can be found at the ASU Division of Graduate Studies website. (Go to top)

What are the general requirements to apply to CONACYT?
Updated information on application requirements can be found at the CONACYT Web site. (Go to top)

Is the GRE test required to apply to CONACYT?
GRE scores are not required, but are highly recommended. Students applying to a doctoral program in business can present GMAT scores instead of GRE scores (Please note that not all ASU programs require GRE). (Go to top)

Does CONACYT accept the EXANI-III in place of the GRE?
No. (Go to top)

Which type of visa ASU-CONACYT Fellows apply for and who is the visa sponsor?
All the ASU-CONACYT fellows have J-1 visas. Once the student is accepted by the Division of Graduate Studies and the corresponding School, College or Academic Department, ASU will issue a DS-2019 form for each person. This form will be part of your application documents when applying for a J-1 Visa at the United States Consulate in Mexico (DS-2019 form is not a visa). Although, CONACYT general admission information may mention form I-20 and F-1 visa, this specific fellowship program will only allow students on a J-1 visa. Arizona State University is the sponsor for the J-1 visa.

The main differences between these two visas are: F-1 visas are available for students who personally fund their studies at ASU and J-1 visas are available for students who receive funding from a governmental or international organization or similar through a fellowship or scholarship to study at ASU. Moreover, the F-1 visa allows the student to take the Optional Practical Training (OPT) or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during or after earning his/her degree for a maximum of twelve months, while the J-1 visa holder, must have complete authorization of his/her J program sponsor in order to be eligible for any employment opportunity. After the completion of their program of study J-1 visa holder must come back to their country for at least two years.

For more information regarding Student Visa Information please go to the International Student Office webpage:
http://asu.edu/international/prospective.html

For further information regarding the J-1 visa application procedure please go to:
http://www.usembassy-mexico.gov/smxvisitarDF_estudiante.html (Go to top)