Registration Instructions

Read these instructions completely before clicking on the link below to complete the Registration Application.

Important Dates:

• SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED: FEBRUARY 8, 2013
• REGULAR REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 22, 2013

Click here for the SMDP - Ghana 2013 Registration Form (Word).
Click here for the SMDP - Ghana 2013 Registration Form (PDF).

NOTE: SEE THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AFTER YOU READ BELOW.

1. The application process for SMDP-Ghana 2013 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.
2. There are four tracks each in Week One and in Week Two. To see the Weekly Schedule, open this PDF.
3. You may enroll for Week One, Week Two, or both weeks.
4. However you can enroll for only one track each week. You can change tracks the following week if registering for two weeks.
5. In Week One, you may enroll for either the full-week Institutional Strengthening track (B. Credit Risk Management and C. Delinquency Management for Microfinance Institutions) OR just the two-and-a-half days of either Part B Credit Risk Management (Mon-Tue full days and Wed. 9:30 AM-1:00 PM) or Part C Delinquency Management for Microfinance Sustainability (Wed 2:00 PM-5:00 PM and Thurs-Fri full days).
6. In Week Two you may enroll for the two day Microfinance Management Issues for Effective Oversight (Mon-Tues full days) and Part C Delinquency Management for Microfinance Sustainability (Wed 2:00 PM-5:00 PM and Thurs-Fri full days) (Note you must attend the Week One Prerequisite course Microfinance Principles and Practices or get a waiver from the facilitator) OR just the two day Microfinance Management Issues for Effective Oversight (Mon-Tues full days) course.
7. The daily schedule begins with the Building the Practice Plenary Session from 08:00 to 9:20. Morning class is from 9:30 to 13:00 (nutritional break at 11:00). Afternoon class is from 14:00 to 17:00 (nutritional break at 17:00).
8. One week enrollment begins on Sunday evening, March 10th or March 17th (dinner is included on the night of arrival) and ends on Saturday morning (breakfast included). Two week enrollment begins on Sunday, March 10th (dinner included) and ends on Saturday morning, March 23rd (breakfast included). Note: Breakfast, dinner, and weekend lunches are not included for commuters.
9. 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).
10. Once you have been notified of your acceptance in the SMDP-Ghana program, 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.
11. When a deposit has been received, participants will get an email confirmation giving them access to their online registration where they can update and make changes to the course selections or other information as needed.
12. Please make full payment as early as possible rather than waiting until two or three weeks before the program start date. Your place in your chosen course(s) is not guaranteed until we have received full payment. If you register one month or less before the programme please send the full tuition/room & board fee immediately after you submit your online application.

 The Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Opportunity

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 $4,300.

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 candidates’ 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 CLOSED.

SMDP Ghana 2013 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, is 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 two 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.

SMDP Ghana 2013 Fee Schedule

Tution Discounts for Multple 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-led 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 Visit 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 12—Field visit to Village Savings and Lending Association groups outside of Accra. Organized by Plan Ghana (Course: Savings Groups: Program Design)
• Thursday March 14—Field visit to FNGO or MFI to learn about Risk Management best practices (Course: Risk Management)

Saturday, March 17—Field visit to Susu Collectors and Kaneshie Market (all students are welcome to attend)

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.touringghana.com/visas.asp

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 uses 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, 2013, will be refunded in full, less a $100 processing fee. There will be no refunds for cancellations received after that date.