SEED Host Family Opportunity - FAQs
 How long to SEED students stay with a host family?
SEED students are in the US for a total of 2 years. The host family
experience is for the first year only. During the second year, SEED students stay in
Cedar Rapids but transition to independent apartments nearby Kirkwood.
Students arrive in August.
 Do host families receive compensation?
Host families receive a modest stipend of $300 per month to cover the
costs of food and household expenses.
 What is SEED?
Scholarships for Education and Economic
Development (SEED) is an international
development scholarship program in which
students from Mexico, Central America and the
Caribbean study at community colleges
throughout the United States. The SEED program
provides the scholars with many opportunities for
personal and professional development.
 What are the goals of the SEED program?
The goal of SEED reaches beyond simply preparing socioeconomically
disadvantaged young people with academic, technical, and professional skills to
enter the job market, although this is a major part of the SEED experience. It also
prepares students to be able and committed leaders who return to their home
countries to aid in the development of their families, communities, and countries
through sharing the benefits of their training with others. In order to be
considered for a SEED scholarship, applicants must demonstrate strong leadership
qualities, a desire to serve others, and a strong commitment to return home and
work to improve conditions in their native countries.
 What role does a host family play in the SEED program?
An essential element to scholar success is their host family. The host family
plays a vital role in educating SEED students about U.S. culture, values, beliefs and
customs, and enabling them to build lasting links of friendship. The opportunity to
share in the daily life of a North American family is among the most significant
experiences that a SEED student will have during his or her program experience.
We are grateful for your interest in SEED and we welcome your support!