Scholarships For Refugees And Displaced Individuals
Refugees and displaced individuals often face significant barriers to higher education. Many organizations, universities, and governments offer scholarships specifically designed to help them pursue academic and career opportunities. Below are some of the best scholarships available for refugees and displaced persons.
1. UNHCR’s DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative) Scholarship
- Eligibility: Refugees in a host country
- Award: Tuition fees, living expenses, and other educational costs
- Deadline: Varies by country
- How to Apply: Contact UNHCR or participating institutions
2. The Refugee Scholarship by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
- Eligibility: Refugees residing in UNHCR camps or urban areas
- Award: Covers full tuition, living expenses, and travel to Canada
- Deadline: Varies
- How to Apply: Through WUSC’s Student Refugee Program (SRP)
3. University of the People (UoPeople) Refugee Scholarship
- Eligibility: Refugees and asylum seekers worldwide
- Award: Full tuition for online degree programs
- Deadline: Rolling admissions
- How to Apply: Through UoPeople’s official website
4. Oxford University Refugee Academic Futures Scholarship
- Eligibility: Refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced individuals applying for a master’s degree
- Award: Full tuition, living stipend, and travel costs
- Deadline: January
- How to Apply: Through the University of Oxford
5. Columbia University Scholarship for Displaced Students
- Eligibility: Refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced individuals applying for undergraduate or graduate programs
- Award: Full tuition and living expenses
- Deadline: December–February
- How to Apply: Through Columbia University’s application portal
6. DAAD Scholarships for Refugees in Germany
- Eligibility: Refugees and displaced persons residing in Germany
- Award: Full tuition and a monthly stipend
- Deadline: Varies
- How to Apply: Through the DAAD website or a participating German university
7. Scottish Refugee Council Scholarships
- Eligibility: Refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland
- Award: Tuition assistance and living costs
- Deadline: Varies by institution
- How to Apply: Through participating universities in Scotland
8. Chevening Scholarships for Refugees
- Eligibility: Refugees and asylum seekers from eligible countries
- Award: Fully funded master’s degree in the UK, including living and travel expenses
- Deadline: November
- How to Apply: Through the Chevening website
9. The IKEA Foundation Scholarship for Refugees
- Eligibility: Refugees and displaced individuals pursuing higher education
- Award: Tuition assistance and living stipends
- Deadline: Varies
- How to Apply: Through partner universities and NGOs
10. Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Refugees and asylum seekers applying to Australian universities
- Award: Full tuition and support for living expenses
- Deadline: Varies by institution
- How to Apply: Through Australian universities offering refugee scholarships
How to Apply for These Scholarships
- Verify eligibility by checking residency, asylum status, and country requirements.
- Prepare personal statements highlighting challenges, academic goals, and resilience.
- Obtain recommendation letters from teachers, mentors, or humanitarian organizations.
- Check deadlines and apply early to secure funding.
