Civil Service FAQs

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

[collapse collapsed title="How many classes do I need to take per semester?" class="csc-collapse"]Undergraduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per semester.[/collapse]

[collapse collapsed title="Can I change my major?" class="csc-collapse"]

 For medical trainees we will need the following:

• A personal statement explaining your reasoning for wanting to transfer to a different program with specific reasons of why you will benefit by transferring to a different program. Please ensure this statement is dated and signed by you.
• If possible, A conditional letter of release from your current program stating that if you are accepted to the program you want to transfer to, you will be released from your current program.
• If possible, A conditional offer letter from the prospective program. This conditional offer letter must state the estimated start and end dates of your training as well as what PGY level you will be starting at when you begin training there.  

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[collapse collapsed title="How many online courses can I take?" class="csc-collapse"]

Undergraduate students, according to Ministry of Higher Education for degree equivalency purposes may only take up to 12 credit hours of online, independent study, special topics, hybrid or correspondence courses (non-traditional courses) during your academic program. You must get approval from our office before registering for a non-traditional course.

Graduate students are not allowed any online or non-traditional coursework.

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[collapse collapsed title="How do I get approval for online courses?" class="csc-collapse"]

1. A letter/email from your current school advisor confirming that the credits would transfer toward your degree requirements as well as an explanation of why you would need to take them outside your current school and online.
2. Course description showing the name and number of credits for each course you want to take outside of your home school or online.

Remember you can only take online courses from approved 4 year Universities, here is the list - https://sis.kuwaitculturedc.org/kc_university/ext_mcpf_list.php

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[collapse collapsed title="Can I transfer schools?" class="csc-collapse"]We will need to notify Civil Service of your wish to transfer schools, please provide the following documents:

 For medical trainees we will need the following:

• A personal statement explaining your reasoning for wanting to transfer to a different school with specific reasons of why you will benefit by transferring to a different university. Please ensure this statement is dated and signed by you.
• If possible, A conditional letter of release from your current program stating that if you are accepted to the program you want to transfer to, you will be released from your current program.
• If possible, A conditional offer letter from the prospective program. This conditional offer letter must state the estimated start and end dates of your training as well as what PGY level you will be starting at when you begin training there.  

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[collapse collapsed title="When do I send ESL reports?" class="csc-collapse"]If you are in ESL, please have your program send your grade report every semester and verification of enrollment for the upcoming semester.

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[collapse collapsed title="Do I have health insurance?" class="csc-collapse"]

During your academic studies you are covered under the Embassy’s Health Insurance plan. Please remember to waive your school’s health insurance at your school. Any fees associated with health insurance coverage will not be paid by our office. Should there be need to have the waiver form signed or certificate of benefits, please e-mail Ms. Bernadeth Busog at Kuwait Health Office for assistance at bbusog@kuwaitculture.com.

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[collapse collapsed title="Will you provide child tuition reimbursement?" class="csc-collapse"]

For children between the ages of 3-18 (maximum of 3 children) our office can cover 50% for the tuition at private schools and 100% of the fees at public schools. We can only cover tuition and the registration fees. We cannot cover supply fees, lunches, late pick-up fees, etc.

Our office prefers to pay the school directly for the 50% tuition and registration fee that we cover. They can send us an invoice and we can pay them directly allowing you to pay the other 50%. The invoice will need to show the dates the tuition is for, a breakdown of the tuition charges, your child’s name, and the school’s contact information.

Otherwise you can pay the school the full amount then send us an invoice (with the same information) and we can reimburse you 50%. We will need to confirm with the school that you child is enrolled.

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[collapse collapsed title="When do I receive my monthly stipend?" class="csc-collapse"]

Stipends are paid one month in advance on or close to the 15th of each month.  For example, January's stipend is sent on December 15 and February's stipend on January 15 and so forth each month.  Therefore during your final month of scholarship mission you will not receive a stipend deposit as it will have been paid in advance on the 15th of the previous month.

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[collapse collapsed title="Do we receive a book allowance?" class="csc-collapse"]

Medical/Dental Trainees will receive 300KD annually after their first year- 150K with their September and February stipend

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[collapse collapsed title="How do I renew my Passport and authenticate Birth and/ or Marriage Certificate?" class="csc-collapse"]Please contact the appropriate addresses:

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[collapse collapsed title="When am I eligible for an annual ticket?" class="csc-collapse"]You are eligible for the first annual ticket after the first year of scholarship.  You become eligible for each annual ticket on the anniversary of your scholarship start date.  Requests for annual tickets must be submitted about one month before eligibility date. Annual tickets cannot be issued if you have less than six months of scholarship time left or will graduate within six months.

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[collapse collapsed title="How do I request my annual ticket?" class="csc-collapse"]

Please send an email to your academic advisor requesting a travel authorization form. Complete the authorization form and submit to your academic advisor. This form will then be reviewed and signed off by our office and provided to Kuwait Airways as an authorization for you to schedule your round-trip ticket.

Travel

Ticket Reservations after Authorization

Kuwait Airways (United States):
1001 Connecticut Ave., NW          Tel No: 1-800-424-1128, 202-296-4644
Suite 715                 Fax No: 202-296-7895    
Washington, DC 20036          

Kuwait Airways (Canada)        Tel No: 416-926-1275
77 Bloor St W,
Toronto, ON M5S 1M2 Canada

Kindly provide Kuwait Airways the following information:

1.    Full name
2.    Passport No. and Expiration Date
3.    Date of Birth
4.    Telephone Number
5.    Dates of Travel    

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[collapse collapsed title="I am renting an apartment and need proof of my income what do I do?" class="csc-collapse"]

Email your academic advisor requestng a “Salary Letter ” and include your most recent salary certification with your request. This letter will confirm your status as a scholar under the embassy sponsorship and as well provide a general amount of your stipend and salary.  This letter is sufficient in most situations for apartment leasing, car rental/purchase and various large item purchases necessary during your scholarship.

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HEALTH INSURANCE

[collapse collapsed title="How do I add my new baby to the health coverage?" class="csc-collapse"]

To add your new baby to the health coverage provide your advisor with the hospital birth letter which shows the parents' and the baby's name as well as the baby's date of birth or birth certificate. Send a copy of your new baby’s passport and civil ID (front and back) once you have received them.

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[collapse collapsed title="What do I do if I had to pay for medical/dental treatment for me or one of my covered dependents?" class="csc-collapse"]

Please contact your insurance provider to submit a claim.

• US students: United Healthcare For medical coverage: https://myaccount.uhcsr.com  and Dental Coverage: www.myuhc.com
• Email: kuwaitcustomerservice@uhcsr.com or call 1866-654-7449 (medical, RX & Vision) 1877-816-3596 (dental)
• Canada Students: GreenShield https://onlineservices.greenshield.ca/planmember/AccessMgmt/Public/SignOn.aspx

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FINANCIAL BENEFITS

[collapse collapsed title="What financial benefits does my scholarship provide?" class="csc-collapse"]

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[collapse collapsed title="Equipment Allowance" class="csc-collapse"]

Postgraduate Physicians and Dentist are entitled to a one-time 800KD reimbursement for equipment (including laptops, tablets, and loupes). This fee is only reimbursed once, so make sure you do not need additional equipment later in your training. If you would like to use your equipment allowance, kindly send your advisor:

• An itemized receipt
• A bank statement/credit card statement with your name on it showing the corresponding purchases
• A letter from your program confirming the necessity of the specific equipment
• Note that accessories such as chargers, a mouse, keyboards, software packages, insurance protection, etc. are not eligible for reimbursement.  

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[collapse collapsed title="What do I do if I'm graduating soon?" class="csc-collapse"]

Please provide us with the following information upon completion of your program:

• A completion letter from your program confirming the start and end dates of your program, the last date of your training, and if you successfully completed your program (this letter must be dated after your completion date)
• A copy of your completion certificate from your program o Your program evaluations for January 1 until the completion date of your program
• A copy of your Board certificate (if applicable, does not apply to everyone)
• A copy of you Travel Authorization Form (or your personal flight itinerary confirming your return to Kuwait if you book a flight personally – not eligible for reimbursement) 

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[collapse collapsed title="Will I receive a shipping allowance?" class="csc-collapse"]

You are allowed to choose on your travel authorization form either excess baggage or shipping allowance. If you choose excess baggage, you are allowed 1 piece of excess luggage per person, and you will book that with Kuwait Airways when you complete your ticket booking.

If you choose shipping allowance, please note that if you ship by sea, you are allowed 100 kilograms per person to be reimbursed (for you and up to four dependents maximum). If you ship by air you are allowed 15 kilograms per person to be reimbursed (for you and up to four dependents maximum). Your invoice must include the weight of the shipment in kilograms and confirm the shipment includes personal effects. We will need a copy of this invoice as well as a bank statement confirming proof of payment to submit a reimbursement request for the shipping costs

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