Financial Support for Refugee Students: A Global Guide
Universities worldwide provide scholarships, grants, and bursaries to refugee students. This guide helps you explore the financial support available for those with refugee status across the globe.
Scholarships for Refugee Students
The higher education sector plays a crucial role in supporting asylum seekers and refugees. Many institutions offer financial aid to students forced to leave their home countries, with varying application criteria, deadlines, and funding levels.
Beyond scholarships, universities can provide practical assistance—such as protection and financial support—to help refugee students access education. Below is a list of available scholarships, though many more exist. Use this as a starting point and research further to find the best option for you.
Additional Resources:
- The UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) lists higher education opportunities for refugees globally. While not scholarship-focused, it offers advice, opportunities, and further resources.
- Read more about scholarships for international students here.
Related Stories:
- Navigating university as a refugee in the UK
- From Syrian refugee to UK university student
- The journey from Gaza to Oxbridge
- Universities rally to support refugees worldwide
Support for Ukrainian Students
- Cara (Council for At-Risk Academics) – Helps academics and families in conflict zones, including Ukraine and Syria, with relocation and financial aid.
- Sewa International (Europe) – Assists international students evacuating from 18 Ukrainian cities to Poland, Romania, and Hungary. They’ve already aided students from India, Nigeria, Namibia, Zambia, and more.
UK Scholarships for Refugee Students
- Imperial College London – A £250,000 fund for displaced students, including Ukrainians, starting in 2022/23.
- University of Lincoln – Supports 15 undergrad and 5 postgrad transfers from Ukraine with fee waivers, accommodation bursaries, and welfare help.
- University of Edinburgh – Scholarships for displaced Ukrainian undergrads, with flexible admissions considering document challenges.
- University of York – Extended its Equal Access Fund to cover full scholarships, fees, travel, and accommodation for Afghan and Ukrainian students.
- Article 26 & Sanctuary Scholarships – Covers full tuition and offers bursaries up to £15,285 at multiple UK universities (Bristol, Keele, Manchester, etc.).
- Eligibility: Must have a confirmed place, hold asylum seeker/refugee/limited leave status, and have a household income under £25,000.
- Birkbeck, University of London (Compass Project) – Fee waivers + bursaries for 20 students yearly ineligible for UK government finance.
- University of Bath Refugee Bursary – Up to £7,000 for foundation/undergrad students with refugee or humanitarian protection status.
- University of Cambridge (Rowan Williams Studentship) – Full tuition + living costs for students from conflict zones (refugee status not required).
- University of Dundee Humanitarian Scholarship – Postgrad fee waivers + monthly stipends for asylum seekers/refugees.
- Goldsmiths, University of London – Full fee waivers + £8,825 allowance for refugee students (4 awards yearly).
US Scholarships for Refugee Students
- Charterup National Scholarship – $10,000 for a refugee student yearly.
- Students of Salaam Scholarship – Four $3,000 awards + mentorship for immigrant/refugee students.
- Columbia University Scholarship for Displaced Students – Full tuition + housing/living support.
- Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships – Thirty $90,000 merit-based awards for immigrants/children of immigrants in grad school.
Australia Scholarships for Refugees
- ANU Humanitarian Scholarship – Full tuition + stipend for undergrads on bridging/Temporary Protection Visas.
- Monash Humanitarian Scholarship – Full tuition + AUD$6,000/year for undergrads with similar visa status.
- University of the Sunshine Coast Asylum Seeker Scholarship – Full tuition + AUD$4,000/year (2 awards yearly).
Canada Scholarships for Refugees
- World University Service Canada (WUSC) Student Refugee Programme – Sponsors refugees from Syria, Lebanon, Kenya, etc., with first-year fee waivers (130+ students yearly).
- University of Waterloo (David Johnston Awards) – Bursaries for WUSC-sponsored students.
Other Global Opportunities
- University of Łódź (Poland) – Fee/Polish language waivers for Ukrainian students.
- Central European University (OLIve-UP Programme) – Fully funded prep courses for refugees in Europe.
- UNHCR/JELA Vocational Programme (Japan) – Covers vocational degree costs for refugees.
- Borderless Higher Education for Refugees – Tuition support at York University (Canada), Kenyatta University (Kenya), etc.
- Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI) – Scholarships for refugees in host-country universities, funded by Germany and UNHCR.