SMDP-Ghana Registration and Costs Information
REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
Read these instructions completely before clicking on the
link below to complete the Registration Application.
Important Dates:
EARLY BIRD PAYMENTS MUST BE MADE BY JANUARY 31, 2012
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE:
February 1, 2012
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
February 25, 2012
Click here for the SMDP-Ghana 2012 Registration Form.
NOTE: SEE THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
INSTRUCTIONS AFTER YOU READ BELOW.
- The application process for SMDP-Ghana 2012 begins by completing the application. Click above for the application as a Word document (unless you are applying for a MasterCard Foundation Scholarship. If so, see below). We will reply within ten days to inform you of your eligibility to participate in the program. Those who are not accepted will be notified of the reason for the denial or to provide further information if applicable.
- There are four tracks in week one and five tracks in week two. To see the Weekly Schedule, open this PDF. You may enroll for Week One, Week Two, or both weeks however you may enroll for only one track each week. You can change tracks the following week if registering for two weeks (with the exception of Track 4 PPEVCD).
- You may enroll for the Track 4 Pro-Poor Enterprise Development Foundations two and a half day introduction and then change to Track One Microfinance Essential Skills if you participate in the PPEVDC online prerequisite. You may attend the first two and a half days of Track I Microfinance Essential Skills then change to Track 4 for the remainder of the track if you enroll for the two full weeks and obtain permission of the PPEVCD Track Coordinator (contact Bill Maddocks for these requests).
- One week enrollment begins on Sunday evening March 11th or March 18th (dinner is included on the night of arrival) and ends on Saturday morning (breakfast included). Two week enrollment begins on Sunday March 11th (dinner included) and ends on Saturday morning March 24th (breakfast included). Note: Dinner is not included for Commuters.
- Do not complete the registration form unless you can fully pay or are 100 percent sponsored for tuition and room/board OR you are applying for The MasterCard Foundation Scholars program (if so, see below).
- Once you have been notified of your acceptance in the SMDP-Ghana you must make full payment or a minimum deposit of $500 within fifteen days to confirm the registration. Until full payment is received, we cannot guarantee your place in your chosen course. Payment of any outstanding balance is due before arrival at the program.
- Once a deposit has been received, participants will get an e-mail confirmation giving them access to their online registration where they can update and make changes to the course selections or other information as needed.
- Please make full payment as early as possible rather than waiting until two or three weeks before the program start date. Late payments can cause courses to be cancelled. We do not consider a completed application form or a paid deposit as a registrant for a course. Only full payments can be considered to enroll an applicant. Please help the SMDP by making full payment within fifteen days after you submit your on-line application.
THE MASTERCARD FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
You may apply for a MasterCard Foundation Scholarship only if you meet these Selection Preferences. Please note, scholarships will be awarded through a competitive application process. We will award full or partial scholarships in amounts which will range from USD $1,000 to $4,500.
Selection Preferences:
- Practitioners who have at least two years' experience in the microenterprise development field
- Practitioners who work in Africa
- Practitioners who work for NGO or Development Finance Institutions and policy development organizations
- Women practitioners
- Candidates coming from disadvantaged backgrounds, preferably from rural and resource-poor areas
- Applicants who make some level of financial contribution to tuition, room/board, and/or travel costs
Recommendation Criteria:
- Scholarship recommendations will be determined by the following criteria:
- How well does the applicant meet the selection preferences listed above?
- What is the stated financial need of and actual support committed from each candidate? Candidates who can pay for their travel will be considered over those who cannot.
- Based on the candidate’s stated background profile, how will the scholarship make an impact on their professional development and to their organization?
If you feel you meet these selection preferences, click on the link below to download the Scholarship Application.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline was February 1, 2012. We are no longer accepting applications.
PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS
Students who are located within Ghana will make payments directly to the Ghana Microfinance Institutions Network (GHAMFIN) in Ghana CEDI. Payments can be made by check or wire transfer.
Students located outside of Ghana will make payments directly to the Carsey Institute/UNH in U.S. dollars and can pay by check from a U.S. bank, credit card, or wire transfer. Credit card payments are subject to a 2 percent processing fee on the total transaction amount. Please note that if payment is made by wire transfer you must add $35 for the wire transfer fee.
The instructions for payment by wire transfer can be found on the registration form.
Full payment information including wire transfer instructions are located in the registration application form.
TUITION, ROOM, AND BOARD COSTS
Tuition includes all books, reading materials, a USB with all course materials from all courses during the 2 weeks (not only the track you register for), and field trips. Room and board accommodations at the GIMPA Executive Hostel are single occupancy in dorm-style rooms with a private bathroom. Shared rooms can be arranged upon request for a small discount (contact the SMDP staff directly at smdp.info@unh.edu with this request). Room and board includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and twice-daily coffee/tea breaks during class sessions. Internet access through a cable connection to your laptop is also included. Accommodation and meals are covered from Sunday night arrival until Saturday morning departure. If you are commuting to GIMPA each day, you must pay a weekly commuter fee, which includes breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday, coffee/tea breaks during class sessions, books, reading materials, USB, and field trips.
Airport transportation is NOT included in tuition, room, and board. You will be provided options for airport transport after confirmation of your reservation.
|
Regular Registration |
One Week Residential |
$2,450 |
Two Week Residential |
$4,500 |
One Week Commuter |
$1,500 |
Two Week Commuter |
$3,000 |
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS
Registrations fully paid by January 31, 2012 will receive a 15% discount on the fees listed above.
TUITION DISCOUNTS FOR MULTIPLE ENROLLMENTS
Multiple participants from the same organization can benefit from our valuable training and take advantage of significant discounts when more than one staff member enrolls for the full two weeks of the program. Please contact SMDP Staff at smdp.info@unh.edu to discuss multiple enrollments for your organization.
DAILY CLASS SCHEDULE
The SMDP day begins with the Building the Practice Morning Plenary sessions . We will hear from guest speakers on innovations in the field, such as microfinance as a tool for sustainable energy development, mobile banking, gender and development, microinsurance, and other cutting edge topics. Student-lead discussion will reflect on what we are learning and how we will apply the ideas, concepts, and skills to our local contexts and organizations. Faculty from the SMDP courses offered each week will facilitate these sessions.
08:00 to 09:20 - Building the Practice Morning Plenary Sessions (except Field Visits days)
09:30 to 13:00 - Morning class sessions
11:00 to 11:15 - Nutrition Break
13:00 to 14:00 - Lunch
14:00 to 17:00 - Afternoon class sessions
15:30 to 15:45 - Nutrition Break
17:00 to 18:00 - After class cocktail hour (cash bar)
18:00 to 19:00 - Dinner
19:30 to ? - Evening entertainment (film, music, visit to Accra Mall etc.)
FIELD VISITS
There is no additional charge for field visits, and lunch and snacks will be provided. You must attend the field visits that are scheduled for the specific course/track you are registered for each week. Saturday field visits are optional.
- Tuesday, March 13 - Field visit to Village Savings and Lending Association groups outside of Accra. Organized by Plan Ghana (Community Managed Microfinance)
- TBD – Field visit to Value Chain Development Projects near Accra (PPE&VCD Track only)
- Thursday March 15 - Field visit to Rural Banks and Financial NGOs and Aburi Botanic Gardens (Microfinance Essential Skills registrants only)
- Saturday, March 17 - Field visit to Susu Collectors and Kaneshie Market (all students are welcome to attend)
- Tuesday March 20 - Field visit to Village Saving and Lending Groups near Accra, (Microfinance Essential Skills registrants only)
GHANA VISA INFORMATION
A valid passport is mandatory for entry into Ghana. A visa must also be obtained before arrival in Ghana. Visa requirements are subject to change and should be checked prior to traveling to Ghana but are required by most nationalities and must be acquired in advance at a Ghanaian Embassy or High Commission.
For full detailed visa instructions, please visit this link: http://www.ghanaembassy.org/index.php?page=visas, or open this PDF.
There are many visa services companies who may be able to obtain your visa for an additional handling fee. Search “Ghana Visa Information” in a search engine such as Google for a listing. Please be advised it can take several weeks to obtain a visa, so do not delay in submitting your application.
The GHAMFIN administrative office can write an official letter of invitation for you which may be
required with your visa application. Please request this letter by contacting Ms. Joan Ahorlu at admin@ghamfin.org no later than three weeks before the programme begins.
BRING YOUR LAPTOP AND ADAPTER
Students should bring a laptop computer if possible for note taking, performing calculations, and preparing class presentations. GIMPA has wireless Internet access available in some areas of the campus, and an internet connection via a cable (please bring your own) will be available in your dorm room at no extra charge. Note: Ghana use the British square peg 240 Volt plug style so be sure to bring an adapter if your laptop has another type of connector.
REFUND POLICY
If you cannot attend SMDP-Ghana, you may request a refund in writing. Requests received before March 1, 2012, will be refunded in full, less a $100 processing fee. There will be no refunds for cancellations received after that date.