Jusoor Hardship Fund

Jusoor launched its Hardship Fund in 2016 to provide gap funding to students enrolled in undergraduate and master programs at academic institutions outside of Syria who are at risk of dropping out because of financial need. To date, the program has supported 30 students who have been provided one-time financial assistance of up to $5,000, which the students can use toward university tuition and fees. The funds are awarded as a loan without interest, with an individual repayment plan developed for each student. Returned funds support new students in the future.

The next application cycle is planned for 2021. At this time, we do not have further information on the application opening date. Please subscribe to our newsletter and follow our Facebook page for all updates.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Syrian national possessing either a Syrian passport or Syrian national ID card
• Be currently enrolled in an academic program pursuing a bachelor or master degree at any accredited academic institution outside of Syria
• Have completed at least half (50%) of the course credit required for graduation
• Have a GPA of 3.0 or better
• Have relevant volunteer and/or work experience to the field of study

Please carefully read the below frequently asked questions before writing to us:

• How much is the scholarship award?

The award maximum is USD $5,000. The amount awarded will depend on the financial need you note in your scholarship application. Please note you are not guaranteed the full amount of funding you state in your application if selected for the scholarship. Jusoor’s Scholarship Selection Committee will determine the amount of each award.

• Which academic institutions are eligible?

All accredited academic institutions are eligible except those located within Syria.

• Is this scholarship award a loan? Why?

Yes, the award is given as a loan at a zero percent interest rate. This scholarship is intended to support future Jusoor scholars and relies on funding received from alumni awardees in order to be a self-sustaining scholarship.

• How much time do awardees have to repay the loan?

Awardees have up to three years after their graduation to repay the loan in full. Some graduates have repaid their loans in full in one payment while others choose to make smaller payments over time.

• Does awarding this scholarship as a loan really work? Are scholarship alumni repaying their awards on time?

Yes, we are proud to share that all of our awardees to date are repaying their loans on time, and we owe much of the program’s success to their contributions.

• My GPA is slightly less than 3.0. Am I still eligible to apply?

No, we do not accept applications from students who have a GPA of less than 3.0. Please see our main Scholarship Program page for other opportunities to which you may apply.

• What documents are required for submission?

All applicants must submit the following in addition to the application: 1) scanned copy of either your passport or national ID card; and 2) full transcript (official or unofficial) of the academic degree you are currently pursuing. We recommend you collect these documents as early as possible in order to ensure you complete your application on time.

• I’ve completed less than half of the course credit required for my program. Am I still eligible to apply?

No, the Hardship Fund is intended to serve as gap funding for students who might not otherwise graduate without financial assistance. Please see our main Scholarship Program page for other opportunities to which you may apply.

• I’ve completed 50% of more the course credit required for my program but I am currently taking a semester off. Am I still eligible to apply?

No, in order to apply you must be currently enrolled in a program and registered for at least one course.

• What do you look for in the ideal candidate?

We look for a balance of the following: 1) strong GPA; 2) volunteer and/or work experience relevant to your field of study; 3) proven leadership ability as demonstrated through volunteer and/or work experience; and 4) willingness and demonstrated intent to contribute to the redevelopment of Syria.

• How many awards will be given for this cycle?

Details on the 2021 call for applications will be posted to this page closer to the application opening date.

• When will I be notified of my application status?

Details on status notification will be posted to this FAQ section closer to the 2021 application opening date.

• How are awards disbursed?

If selected for the scholarship, the funding will be transferred directly to the scholar’s bank account. If you are selected for the scholarship and do not have a bank account, you may request that the funds be transferred to a relative’s bank account or to your university.

For more information, please contact: