How to find scholarships for Afghan and international students
Start with government and university scholarships, then use curated international databases and trusted NGOs; prioritize fully funded programs, check eligibility early, and watch for scams. Below are practical steps, a comparison of sources, and safety tips to find scholarships for Afghan and other international students.
Key considerations and decision points
- Level of study: bachelor, master, PhD, short course.
- Field and language: some scholarships target STEM, medicine, or Arabic/Persian speakers.
- Location preference: host-country government scholarships often have country-specific quotas.
- Funding type: tuition only, tuition plus living stipend, or fully funded with travel and insurance.
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Quick comparison of scholarship sources
| Source type | What they cover | Typical eligibility | Application timing | Ease of access |
|---|---:|---|---:|---|
| Host-country government | Full degrees and exchange programs | Nationals or refugees; sometimes regional quotas | Annual cycles; apply 6–12 months ahead | Medium |
| Universities | Tuition waivers, assistantships, scholarships | Academic merit; language tests | Rolling or fixed deadlines by term | High |
| International organizations and NGOs | Targeted awards for refugees and conflict-affected students | Refugee status, merit, field-specific | Varies; watch announcements | Medium |
| Private foundations and trusts | Merit or need-based awards | Competitive; often specific fields | Annual; competitive | Low–Medium |
| Online scholarship databases | Aggregated listings and alerts | Varies by program | Continuous updates | Very high |
> Sources: .
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Step-by-step search plan
1. Scan host-country government offers — many countries publish dedicated scholarships for Afghan students (for example, recent large Pakistan programs announced for Afghan students).
2. Search university portals — target universities you can afford or that offer assistantships; check departmental pages for funded PhD/MA positions.
3. Use curated databases — register alerts on sites that list scholarships by nationality and level (regional aggregators maintain updated lists for Afghanistan).
4. Check NGOs and UN agencies — organizations supporting refugees and conflict-affected learners sometimes fund full degrees or short courses; follow their announcements and mailing lists.
5. Apply strategically — tailor each application, highlight hardship/refugee context if applicable, secure strong references, and meet language/test requirements early.
6. Track deadlines and documents — create a calendar, request transcripts and reference letters well in advance.
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Risks, scams, and how to avoid them
- Red flags: unsolicited offers asking for payment, requests for bank details, or guarantees of admission for a fee.
- Verify: confirm programs on official government or university domains (look for .gov or the university’s official domain) and cross-check with reputable scholarship aggregators.
- Protect documents: send sensitive documents only through secure university portals or verified email addresses.
- If in doubt: contact the scholarship office listed on the official site before paying any fees.
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Practical resources and examples
- Allama Iqbal and similar country scholarships for Afghan students have been publicly announced by host governments and covered by scholarship portals.
- Scholarship aggregators maintain country-specific lists and application tips for Afghanistan and international students.
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