This is the time of year when U.S. colleges and universities send out acceptance letters to students for the coming academic year.  While this is an exciting time for anyone seeking to study in the United States, it is also a time to be wary of scams and fraud. Unscrupulous businesses and individuals may seek to obtain money by claiming to represent a university in the U.S. and offer a scholarship. 

Often times these scams will ask the recipient to send money for application or visa fees, with the promise that they will receive instructions on how to receive a visa later?  As a rule of thumb, if you receive an offer from a university or college but did not apply to that institution, it is most likely not a legitimate offer.  If you still are not sure, you can often check by visiting the website of the university and using the contact information provided there to inquire about the offer.  Never use the contact information provided in an unsolicited offer of acceptance.

Studying in the United States can be a rewarding and enriching experience both for international students and their American classmates.  The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa is committed to facilitating legitimate travel for qualified visa applicants.  You can find more information about the process of applying for a student visa here: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/study-exchange/student.html.