Every year, thousands of talented Syrian students set their sights on university, yet funding remains one of the largest barriers standing between them and their degree. Tuition fees, travel costs, visa expenses, and living stipends can turn a hard-earned admission letter into a financial puzzle. At Jusoor, we have spent more than a decade helping Syrian and Syrian-Palestinian students close that gap, and we know that the application process itself can feel overwhelming long before the funding question even comes up.
This guide walks Syrian students through the practical steps of applying for a university scholarship, from understanding eligibility criteria to preparing a strong application file, meeting deadlines, and knowing where to turn for support along the way. Whether a student is applying for a need-based scholarship, a merit-based award, or support to cover the final gap in an existing offer, the same core principles apply: preparation, clarity, and persistence. We have built our Scholarships Program around exactly these principles, and we want every Syrian student pursuing higher education to have access to the tools that make a strong application possible.
Key Insights:
- Identifying the right scholarship type, whether high school support, full university funding, or a funding gap bridge, is the first step toward a successful application.
- Eligibility for most Syrian-focused scholarships depends on nationality, degree level, and sometimes university ranking.
- A strong application file centers a student's voice, ambition, and academic record rather than hardship alone.
- Jusoor's Scholarships page is updated weekly, and our Academic Mentorship Program offers direct guidance from June through November.
- Persistence matters. Most successful scholars apply more than once before securing funding.
Understand What Kind of Scholarship You Need
Before opening a single application form, it helps to clarify what stage of the journey a student is in. Scholarships generally fall into a few categories, and understanding which one applies saves time and effort.
Some students are starting from the high school level and need support to complete Grade 10 through Grade 12 before they can even apply to university. Others have already secured university admission, sometimes with partial funding, and need help covering the remaining costs, such as travel, visas, or living expenses. Still others are looking for a full scholarship covering tuition, accommodation, and other costs from the outset.
At Jusoor, our High School Scholarships Program supports Syrian adolescents in Lebanon to complete their high school education and prepares them for university through dedicated university application support, including guidance on communication skills, CV and cover letter development, and review of university and scholarship applications. We also offer scholarships in collaboration with United World Colleges (UWC) for the International Baccalaureate degree at one of UWC's schools around the world.
Other scholarships cover bachelor’s and master’s degrees. These can range from full funding, including tuition, living expenses, and books, to just tuition or certain expenses. Jusoor offers several scholarships that fully or partially cover students’ studies. In the past, we have offered scholarships in partnership with the American University in Beirut, the University of Cambridge, the University of Exeter, and others. Our 100 Syrian Women, 10,000 Syrian Lives scholarship has also supported young Syrian women leaders to study at Harvard, Columbia University, Brown, McGill University, and others.
For students who have already secured admission and a scholarship offer from a university or a third party but face a remaining funding gap, our Open Call Scholarship bridges the cost of travel and visas for undergraduate and graduate students admitted to top-ranked universities. Knowing which category fits a student's situation is the first step toward identifying the right opportunity.
Check Eligibility Requirements Carefully
Every scholarship has specific eligibility requirements, and reading them closely before applying saves both time and disappointment. While requirements vary by program, a few patterns are common across most opportunities for Syrian students.
Many programs also specify a university ranking threshold for admission offers, since funders want to ensure resources go toward strong academic placements. Our Open Call Scholarship, for example, is open to undergraduate and graduate Syrian students admitted to top-ranked universities, specifically the top 200 in the United States, the top 20 in Canada, the top 50 in the United Kingdom, or the top 100 in Europe according to Times Higher Education rankings, who have already secured full tuition or full living expenses funding from their university or another third party.
Degree level matters as well. Checking what degrees are covered by the scholarship and whether you meet the eligibility requirements is crucial. Transfer students are often eligible, too, provided they are not seeking funding to repeat a degree they have already completed. Before investing time in an application, students should confirm these basic eligibility points, since they vary slightly between programs and are updated regularly.
Prepare a Strong Application File
A scholarship application is more than a form. It is an opportunity to demonstrate academic potential, determination, and the specific reasons a student deserves investment in their future. A few elements consistently make the difference between an average file and a standout one.
Academic records should be complete, translated where required, and presented clearly. Letters of recommendation matter most when they come from teachers or mentors who can speak specifically to a student's strengths rather than offering general praise. Personal statements should center the student's own voice: what they hope to study, why it matters to them, and how they plan to use their education going forward. We always encourage students to write from a place of ambition and capability rather than hardship alone. Reviewers want to understand a student's potential, not only the barriers they have faced.
For students who have already received a university acceptance and a partial scholarship but need help covering the remaining gap, it helps to clearly document the specific shortfall, including the university name, the scholarship details already secured, and an estimate of the remaining costs, such as travel or visa fees. Having this information organized in advance makes it much easier to respond quickly when an opportunity such as the Open Call Scholarship opens for applications.
Know Where to Look and When to Apply
Scholarship opportunities open and close on different timelines throughout the year, so staying organized matters as much as having a strong application file. We update our Scholarships page regularly with currently running opportunities, deadlines, and application details, since the scholarship landscape for Syrian students shifts frequently as new partnerships and funding opportunities emerge. Other scholarship tracks open and close at different times of the year; it’s important to keep checking regularly their websites, and follow the institutions on social media or subscribe to their newsletters to stay updated.
Beyond direct scholarship listings, students preparing for university applications can also benefit from structured guidance. Our Academic Mentorship Program runs from June through November each year and pairs students with mentors who can walk through university and scholarship application strategies in detail. For students who want a head start on the broader process of preparing for higher education, our blog post on five tips for high school students preparing for college offers additional practical guidance, and our piece on how to ace a scholarship interview is a valuable resource once an application reaches the interview stage.
Following our social media channels and subscribing to our newsletter at the bottom of our program pages also ensures students hear about new opportunities as soon as they are announced, since many scholarships have limited application windows.
Stay Persistent Through the Process
Scholarship applications rarely succeed on the first attempt, and that is a normal part of the journey rather than a sign that a student is not capable. Building a competitive application takes time, and even strong candidates may need to apply to several opportunities before securing funding. We encourage every student to treat each application, successful or not, as practice that strengthens the next attempt.
It also helps to build a support network early. Whether that means connecting with a school counselor, joining a mentorship program, or reaching out to organizations that specialize in supporting Syrian students, having people who can review drafts, share insights, and offer encouragement makes a measurable difference. Since 2011, we have watched thousands of Syrian scholars move from uncertainty about funding to enrollment at universities across four continents, and persistence has been a defining trait among nearly all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for Jusoor's scholarships?
Jusoor's scholarships are open exclusively to Syrians and Syrian-Palestinians. Eligibility for specific programs also depends on factors such as degree level, university ranking, and whether a student has already secured a partial scholarship offer.
Can transfer students apply for a Jusoor scholarship?
Yes, most Jusoor scholarships are open to transfer students, provided the student is not seeking funding to repeat a degree they have already completed.
What does the Open Call Scholarship cover?
The Open Call Scholarship bridges the gap in travel and visa costs for Syrian undergraduate and graduate students who have already secured full tuition or full living expenses funding from a top-ranked university or another third party.
How often are new scholarship opportunities posted?
Our Scholarships page is updated regularly with currently running opportunities, deadlines, and application requirements, so checking back regularly is the best way to stay informed.
Can Jusoor help with university applications even outside of a specific scholarship?
Yes. Our Academic Mentorship Program, open for applications each spring, connects students with mentors who provide guidance on university and scholarship applications from June through November.
Conclusion
Applying for a university scholarship as a Syrian student takes patience, organization, and a clear understanding of where to look and what each opportunity requires. From identifying the right type of scholarship to preparing a compelling application file and staying alert to new opportunities, every step builds toward the same goal: helping talented Syrian students reach the classrooms where they belong. For more than a decade, we have walked this path alongside thousands of scholars, and we remain committed to bridging the opportunity gap for the next generation.
Explore current opportunities on our Scholarships page, apply to our Academic Mentorship Program for personalized guidance, or visit jusoor.ngo to learn how you can support the next class of Syrian scholars.
