General

What does the KGSP Scholarship include?

Each KGSP student receives:

  • Full tuition and fee coverage
  • Monthly living stipend
  • Health insurance
  • Airfare from home location in Saudi Arabia to U.S. program location, and additional relocation/visa assistance services
  • Annual round-trip ticket to Saudi Arabia 
  • Comprehensive pre-departure program orientation held at KAUST
  • Extensive arrival orientation at U.S. program institution

I do not have a passport. Should I get one?

Yes.  If awarded the KGSP scholarship, we will work with you to secure a student visa for study in the United States. A visa cannot be processed without a valid passport, so we recommend getting one as soon as possible.

I already have admission to a university in the United States. Can I go there if I am awarded the KGSP scholarship?

During the KGSP application process, you will be asked to indicate whether you have applied or and/or been admitted to a U.S. university. We evaluate each KGSP applicant on a case-by-case basis to ensure that an admited institution and field of study is aligned to both the KGSP and the fields of study at KAUST. If appropriate, you may be approved to enter directly into undergraduate studies through KGSP.

I would like to study medicine. May I apply to the KGSP?

No.  All eligible KGSP students return to KAUST to complete graduate studies immediately upon completion of their undergraduate program, and medicine is not a major that appropriately aligns with one of KAUST’s 16 fields of study in STEM-related areas.

Studying

Do I have to decide on a college major right away?

Only applicants declaring an intended major that closely aligns to one of KAUST’s 16 fields of study in STEM-related areas are considered.  Students who wish to change their college major after being admitted to the program will need to go through the KGSP Change of Major approval process.

If accepted, when would I depart for the United States?

Depending on program start date, students typically depart for the U.S. in mid-August.

Additional questions

If I have a question that was not addressed here, who should I contact?

You may contact the KGSP Team directly via our General Inquiries Form.