Apply for a Scholarship
with Jusoor

If you have any questions, you can email us at: scholarships@jusoor.ngo

Available Opportunities

Jusoor-Coursera Scholarship

Get Ready for Your Next Scholarship Application

We have designed this FAQ section to assist aspiring scholars in preparing for their scholarship applications. We understand that pursuing higher education is a significant step, and we are here to support you throughout the process. Below, you'll find answers to common questions that will help you navigate the application procedure smoothly.

What is Jusoor’s eligibility criteria for scholars?

Candidates must:

be Syrian or Palestinian-Syrian holding a Syrian Travel Document
have a strong academic record and meet the admissions requirements of the partner university (including language requirements)
have a strong record of leadership and community engagement, as demonstrated through volunteer and/or work experience; demonstrate social consciousness
demonstrate willingness and intent to contribute to the redevelopment of Syria and impact the global Syrian community
have clear and realistic short and long-term career goals
demonstrate knowledge and interest in their selected program of study
not already have the level of degree that they are applying to study
be willing to engage with the Jusoor and university communities
be living in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Türkiye, Egypt or Iraq at the time of selection and must have lived in Syria continuously prior to the start of the conflict.
demonstrate financial need
have a motivated, self starter attitude and strength of character

Kindly note that some Jusoor scholarships have specific eligibility criteria and it is the applicant’s responsibility to visit the individual page of each scholarship. For example, the Chevening-Jusoor scholarship also requires Jusoor to meet Chevening’s eligibility criteria.

Is there an age limit to be eligible?

For most of Jusoor’s scholarships, there is not an age limit. Although our mission focuses on empowering Syrian youth, we welcome applicants of all ages.

However, for the Jusoor-PIESC scholarship at Bard College Berlin, the age limit is 25 per the College’s restrictions. It is the candidate’s responsibility to check each scholarship’s individual eligibility criteria.

I’m married and/or have children. Am I eligible for Jusoor scholarships?

Yes, but Jusoor and university partners do not sponsor family members. The scholarship is intended to support only the scholar. Jusoor cannot provide any financial or relocation assistance for your family, including help with visa arrangements.

How does Jusoor define community engagement or volunteer experience?

Jusoor understands that not everyone has the opportunity to volunteer often or on a large scale due to personal circumstances and responsibilities. We do not just want to hear about NGO volunteer experience; for example, you can tell Jusoor (in your application and interview) how you have been of service to your friends, family and local community. (More on this on FAQs below)

I earned my undergraduate degree in Syria. Am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, absolutely. However, for scholarships in Lebanon, it is the candidate’s responsibility to undergo the equivalency process with the Lebanese Ministry of Education and Higher Education. Moreover, if the candidate does not get equivalency, they might not be eligible for certain bachelor’s degrees in Lebanon. It is the candidate’s responsibility to contact the specific university about this matter.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Syria and am having trouble obtaining my undergraduate degree documents as proof of attendance and/or graduation. Can Jusoor help?

Unfortunately not. Through experience in this matter, we have learned Jusoor cannot be of assistance. This issue must be resolved with your university and the Ministry of Education where applicable.

I’m already enrolled in a degree program and am applying as a transfer student. Am I eligible for the scholarship?

Yes, we welcome applications from transfer students.

Can I apply for a Jusoor bachelor’s degree scholarship if I already hold a bachelor’s degree? Can I apply for a Jusoor master’s degree scholarship if I already hold a master’s degree?

No, you are ineligible for a Jusoor scholarship if you already hold the same level degree. For example, if you already have a bachelor’s degree, you cannot apply for a Jusoor scholarship to study a second bachelor’s degree.

How many scholarships does Jusoor have each year?

This number varies each year and our FAQ page will be updated to reflect all scholarship opportunities annually. For entry Fall 2024, Jusoor will offer up to 21 scholarships.

Please refer to our Scholarship Program Website to know more about currently running scholarships, deadlines, and applications. To receive all program updates, please follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter from our website.

How many scholarships has Jusoor awarded?

Jusoor has awarded 375 university scholarships since 2011.

102 of these scholarships have been awarded for study in Lebanon and Jordan. The rest have been for study in Türkiye, North America and Europe.

In which countries does Jusoor currently offer scholarships and what are Jusoor’s partner universities?

For entry Fall 2024, Jusoor will offer fully funded masters scholarships in the United Kingdom and Spain as well as fully funded bachelor’s scholarships in Germany. Jusoor will offer bachelor’s scholarships in Lebanon that fully fund tuition.

In addition, Jusoor’s Open-Call Scholarship will support students who have received full tuition and living expenses scholarships from their universities in North America and Europe, but are in need of travel expenses. The scholarships cover only flights to the country of study and in some cases visa and healthcare fees. Jusoor’s Open-Call is for bachelor’s and master’s students.

What do Jusoor’s scholarships cover?

Jusoor’s scholarships at Bard College Berlin, University of Cambridge, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, University of Exeter and with Chevening cover travel, tuition fees, living expenses and healthcare.

Jusoor’s scholarships at the American University of Beirut cover tuition only.

Jusoor’s scholarships at the Modern University of Business and Science cover tuition and a small stipend to offset some study costs.

Which fields of study do Jusoor’s scholarships cover?

Each one of Jusoor’s scholarships covers different fields of study. It is the candidate’s responsibility to check the individual scholarship listings from our website to know which fields of study are eligible for each scholarship.

When do Jusoor scholarships open and close?

Jusoor scholarships open in September/October and close according to the application deadlines of our university partners (November-April). It is the applicant’s responsibility to check the individual scholarship page from our website to see the deadlines.

How long does the scholarship selection process take?

Jusoor scholarship selections take 2-4 months. The applicant is responsible to check the individual scholarship page on our website. Each scholarship page includes a timeline.

Does Jusoor offer scholarships for medicine school, law school or PhDs?

No, Jusoor does not offer scholarships for medical school, law school or PhDs.

Does Jusoor award scholarships for study in Syria?

No, Jusoor does not fund studies in Syria.

I have an acceptance from a university, can Jusoor fund my studies?

Jusoor’s scholarships are only offered on a partnership basis. This means that our scholarships are offered at specific universities with which we have agreements to support Syrian scholars.

The one exception to this rule is our Open-Call scholarship, which only covers travel costs for applicants who have received full tuition and living expenses scholarships from their universities.

Can I apply to more than one Jusoor scholarship?

No, you may not apply to more than one Jusoor scholarship. If you do, only your first application will be taken into consideration.

Do I need to apply to Jusoor or for admission to the universities where there are Jusoor scholarships?

Each Jusoor scholarship has a different application process, so you must check the “How to Apply” section on the individual scholarship page on our website.

For some Jusoor scholarships, you are required to apply to the university first and for some you are requested to apply to Jusoor first. Please read instructions carefully.

What advice can you give for responding to the application essay questions?

Each Jusoor scholarship has a different application process, so you must check the “How to Apply” section on the individual scholarship page on our website.

For some Jusoor scholarships, you are required to apply to the university first and for some you are requested to apply to Jusoor first. Please read instructions carefully.

What advice can you give for responding to the application essay questions?

While each partner university has their own essay question and/or motivation letter requirements, Jusoor’s application includes 5 essay questions around the following themes:

Short and long-term career goals with a detailed, realistic plan.

💡Pro tip: Consider mentioning whether you would like to pursue further education, where you see yourself in 5 years and how you will get there as well as what kind of networks and resources you could leverage to accomplish your goals.

How you have helped others in the past 2 years.

💡Pro tip: Consider official volunteer experience, extracurricular activities in some cases, as well as how you have helped your family, friends and local community.

How you will make the most of your experiences as a Jusoor scholar.

💡Pro tip: Do some research about Jusoor and about the university you will attend. How could you contribute to Jusoor’s mission of maximizing the potential of Syrian youth through education? What kind of clubs does your university of interest offer that you would participate in? Who are the professors that you are most interested to learn from and what courses do they teach? What would you do in your free time and how would you get to know your country of study and its culture?

How you will undertake the responsibility of being an ambassador of Jusoor and Syrian scholars at your university.

💡Pro tip: Think about how you will contribute to Jusoor’s mission to maximize the potential of Syrian youth. What can you do for the Syrian community? How will you represent your culture and community?

How you intend to impact the Syrian community during and after your studies.

💡Pro tip: We encourage you to think critically and creatively about your academic and career goals and how you might use them to contribute to the Syrian community.

Here are some examples about how Jusoor scholars have noted their intent to contribute to the Syrian community in their applications:

A current scholar is studying biomedical engineering and intends to build artificial limbs for Syrians who lost theirs in the conflict.
A current scholar is studying Housing and City Planning and intends to build affordable housing projects for Syrian refugees and IDPs.
A current scholar studying Development Studies is the CEO of a capacity-building organization
A current scholar is studying Microbiology and Infection and intends to become an advisor to the Syrian Ministry of Health and establish an epidemiology center to conduct research on infectious diseases and how to control and prevent their spread.

Here are some examples about how Jusoor alumni impacted the Syrian community:

The Chairman of Jusoor’s Board of Directors is a Jusoor Scholarships alum.
An alum who studied Psychology developed a Mental Health Resource Guide for Jusoor scholars and alumni.
An alum who studied International Conflict Resolution is now working on developing practical strategies against gender-based violence and enhancing human rights protections as part of her larger interest in peace-building and conflict resolution.
The founders of Syrian Youth Empowerment (SYE) are Jusoor alumni.
Many alumni have volunteered in Jusoor’s Academic Mentorship Program or to assist with selection of new scholars.

We encourage you to fully address each question while being clear, concise, and providing relevant examples. The questions are subjective with no “right” or “wrong” answer.

Jusoor uses the Open AI Text Detector; applications that use generative AI (ChatGPT, Bing Chat, Bard) will be penalized.

What is the interview process like?

If selected as a finalist, you will be virtually interviewed by a panel of Jusoor and university team members to assess your suitability for the scholarship.

We may ask you to elaborate on the information provided in your application, and will also ask you to respond to a series of questions based on real-life scenarios which scholars face during their academic programs.

We are interested to learn more about:

why you have selected your intended field of study: do some research about the program and university before the interview and consider how your past experiences have led you to this field of study
your short and long-term career goals, in detail: consider what you intend to do for professional development while at university and after graduation as well as where you see yourself in 5 or 10 years.
how you will contribute to the redevelopment of Syria and what kind of impact you intend to have on the global Syrian community throughout your career and/or volunteer work (think very carefully about this question!)
how you would contribute to furthering Jusoor’s and the university’s missions while fulfilling your personal goals
how you might respond to typical challenges faced by scholars, such as in acclimating to a new social and academic culture

💡Pro tip: As with the essay questions, we want to hear honest and thoughtful answers that reflect your authentic self and your goals.

‍Interviews generally last for 45 minutes to 1 hour and are conducted in English. This includes interviews for study in Lebanon as the language of instruction at AUB and MUBS, Jusoor’s partners, is English.

Do I need to pay a fee to apply to Jusoor or Jusoor’s partner universities?

No, Jusoor will never ask candidates to pay an application fee to our scholarships. Additionally, application fees are waived by partner universities.

Can Jusoor offer to fund any English exam or graduate school testing I might require?

Jusoor will fund such testing only for selected candidates. In many cases, universities do not require you to take English language exams before applying.

Does Jusoor require me to have taken a Duolingo, TOEFL or IELTS exam to apply for a scholarship?

Jusoor understands that the fees for English exams are expensive. You are not required to have taken an English exam before applying to Jusoor’s scholarship. If Jusoor’s university partner requires an English exam, you will be able to take it after your selection.

Kindly note that Jusoor’s application requests English exam scores if you have taken the exam and the question is not mandatory to answer.

Does Jusoor require me to have a passport to apply for a scholarship?

No, Jusoor requests a passport or other ID on our applications. However, if you are applying to study internationally, you must have or be able to get a passport.

Can Jusoor cover my passport renewal fees if I am selected for a scholarship?

Yes, Jusoor can usually cover passport renewal fees for selected candidates if the renewal is done outside of Syria.

What documents do I need to apply for a scholarship?

If you need to apply directly to the university (as mentioned above, kindly check the “How to Apply” page of the specific scholarship to which you are applying from our website), then you must provide all documents that the university requests.

When you apply to Jusoor, you must have the documents listed below. Both black and white and color copies are accepted. All files must be PDFs.

copy of passport, national ID, UN paperwork or any other ID
copy of most recent transcripts. If you are applying to study internationally, the transcripts must be translated into English (you may self-translate)
CV
academic letter of recommendation (from a teacher or professor)
professional reference (from your current or previous work or volunteer experience)
copy TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores if you’ve taken one of the exams
Jusoor might also request financial documents (i.e. your’s and/or your parents salary statements)

What requirements does my CV need to meet?

Your CV may be in any format you like but we ask you to keep it concise. There is no maximum page length.

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What requirements does my academic letter of recommendation need to meet?

This letter should be written by a current or previous teacher, university professor, academic advisor, or other similar faculty members of yours. The letter must be on school/university letterhead, written in English, dated and signed with the recommender’s email address included. There is no limit to the letter’s length. You may only submit one academic letter of recommendation.

What requirements does my professional reference need to meet?

This reference should be written by a current or previous professional supervisor/manager of yours while you were employed in a paid or volunteer position. The letter must be written in English, dated and signed with the reference’s email address included. There is no limit for the reference length. You may only submit one professional reference.

When can I expect to be notified of my application status?

Each scholarship has its own timeline, which you can view on the individual scholarship pages. Sometimes there are unexpected delays in the process and we kindly request your patience.

What are my chances of obtaining a visa if awarded a Jusoor scholarship?

Jusoor scholarship awards are conditional on the awardee receiving their visa. If the awardee is not granted admission or does not receive their visa, the scholarship will either be deferred to the next year or be awarded to the next highest-scoring applicant. Each case is different.

When are scholarship funds disbursed?

Scholarship funds cannot be disbursed until the awardee arrives in their country of study and/or begins university.

Who is eligible for Jusoor scholarships?

All Syrian and Palestinian-Syrians who currently live in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Türkiye, Egypt, or Iraq are eligible for Jusoor scholarships.

I am one of the following: a non-Syrian Arab student, a non-Syrian refugee or other conflict affected youth, or a Syrian or Palestinian-Syrian who wants to learn about other scholarships. Can Jusoor help me?

Jusoor encourages you to sign up for our newsletter (from the bottom of this page!), which is shared bi-monthly and includes scholarship and fellowship opportunities from Jusoor and other organizations.

Although Jusoor scholarships are only open to Syrian and Palestinian-Syrian students, the resources in our newsletter and below include opportunities that could benefit other students:

For Syrian and other Arab students: MEPI/ Tomorrow's Leaders, Doha Institute for Postgraduate Studies, Chevening Scholarship in the UK, The Said Foundation, Al-Fanar Media, For9a, ULYP (Palestinians in Lebanon), LASer‍

For Syrian students specifically: Syrian Researchers, LASeR(Lebanon), JICA/JISR (Japan)

For conflict-affected youth specifically (Syrian or not): UNHCR Opportunities Platform, DAFI Scholarship, PIESC Scholarship at Bard College Berlin, Student Action for Refugees in the UK, WUSC, The University of Manchester Humanitarian Scholarship, DAFI

Lastly, we encourage you to apply directly to universities for scholarships. Many JusoorOpen-Call scholars have received full scholarships from top universities across North America and the United Kingdom.