IIE’s Emergency Student Fund to Assist Syrian Students Enrolled in U.S. Universities

Print this Article | Send to Colleague

The Emergency Student Fund of the Institute of International Education (IIE) will make 46 grants to assist Syrian students on U.S. college and university campuses who face urgent financial need due to the current situation in Syria. These grants are made possible in part by generous support from members of the Syrian-American community who share IIE’s commitment to helping Syrian students remain enrolled in their U.S. degree programs so that they will be better prepared to assist their country in the future.

IIE received 51 nominations from 39 colleges and universities in 21 states across the United States. This represents approximately 10 percent of the Syrian students currently studying in the U.S. The nominees are from every level of higher education, from intensive English programs to medical scholars pursuing research fellowships. Many are master’s degree students in science and technology fields. All are facing situations in which families at home can no longer help fund their studies because their cities are under siege, they have had to flee the country, or they are no longer able to work due to the political upheaval.

After putting out a call for nominations in February, IIE received twice as many nominations as it was able to support. The Institute reached out to Jusoor, a newly founded organization focused on mobilizing the global Syrian expatriate community around Syrian economic development initiatives, and the American Syrian Arab Cultural Association (ASACA), a nonprofit, nonpolitical, social, cultural, and educational organization. Contributions from donors associated with Jusoor and ASACA, as well as the Foundation of the Syrian American Medical Society (SAMS), have enabled IIE to provide additional grants.

Priority was given to the 46 nominated students who are currently enrolled in full-time degree programs and have demonstrated substantial need. As part of the nomination and award process, U.S. host colleges and universities are being asked to contribute to the support of the selected Syrian students through provision of tuition waivers, loans, housing, meal plans, or other forms of support.

Since 2010, IIE’s Emergency Student Fund has provided over $1 million in emergency grants to nearly 400 students from Japan, Haiti, Libya, and Thailand whose home sources of financial support were impacted by crises or natural disasters in their home countries. The Institute created the Emergency Student Fund to respond quickly to help students when emergencies arise. Building on a Freeman Foundation designation of $2.5 million for emergencies involving students from East and Southeast Asia studying in the U.S., IIE is issuing a request to donors to support this fund for other world areas.

To learn more and to contribute, please visit www.iie.org/ESF.