For refugees and stateless individuals, education is often the first casualty of displacement. War, political instability, and persecution can derail years of schooling and sever access to higher education. However, the world is increasingly recognizing education as a powerful tool for rebuilding lives and creating long-term solutions. That’s where scholarships for refugees and stateless students come in.
Today, a growing number of governments, universities, and organizations offer specialized scholarships designed to support displaced learners. These programs provide not just funding, but also legal pathways, mentorship, and a sense of stability. Most importantly, they offer a chance to turn survival into success.
Why Refugee and Stateless Scholarships Matter
Refugees and stateless persons face immense barriers when pursuing education:
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Lack of valid documents
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Interrupted schooling
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Legal restrictions on travel or work
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Limited access to national education systems
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Financial hardship
Scholarships tailored to their needs address these challenges by offering holistic support—including tuition, living expenses, language training, and psychosocial services. They are a crucial bridge to opportunity, equity, and empowerment.
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Top Scholarships for Refugees and Stateless Students (2025)
Below is a curated list of the best global scholarships designed to help refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless individuals pursue higher education.
1. UNHCR DAFI (Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative)
Region: Global (primarily Africa, Asia, and the Middle East)
Degree Level: Undergraduate
Coverage: Tuition, books, food, transportation, and housing
Why It’s Important:
The DAFI program is one of the most impactful global initiatives offering higher education opportunities to refugees in host countries. It has supported over 21,500 students since its inception.
Eligibility:
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Recognized refugee status
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Strong academic record
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Enrollment in a host-country institution
2. United World Colleges (UWC) Refugee Scholarships
Region: Global (17 UWC schools)
Degree Level: International Baccalaureate (pre-university)
Coverage: Full tuition, boarding, and travel
Why It’s Special:
UWC actively recruits refugee and stateless students from crisis zones to attend its elite international boarding schools. These students often go on to secure Ivy League and Oxbridge scholarships for higher education.
Eligibility:
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Ages 16–19
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Nominated by refugee agencies or local organizations
3. University of the People Refugee Scholarship Fund
Region: Online, Global
Degree Level: Associate’s and Bachelor’s
Coverage: Tuition-free + scholarships for exam fees
Why It’s Accessible:
University of the People is a tuition-free, accredited online university, ideal for displaced persons who can’t travel. They offer dedicated scholarships for refugees from countries like Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.
Eligibility:
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Displaced or refugee status
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High school diploma
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Internet access and English proficiency
4. Oxford Refugee Scholarships – University of Oxford, UK
Region: United Kingdom
Degree Level: Undergraduate and Graduate
Coverage: Full tuition, living stipend, travel allowance
What Sets It Apart:
Oxford’s Refugee Academic Futures Scholarship supports students with asylum or refugee status in the UK. The university also offers graduate scholarships through the Clarendon Fund and Mastercard Foundation for displaced students from Africa.
Eligibility:
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Refugee or asylum seeker status
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Admission to an Oxford program
5. Scholars at Risk Program – Global
Region: Various host institutions
Degree Level: Graduate and Research
Coverage: Tuition, travel, visa support, and housing
Program Highlights:
This initiative matches at-risk scholars (including refugees and stateless researchers) with temporary academic positions, fellowships, or graduate studies.
Ideal For:
Academics and students fleeing war or political persecution, especially from countries like Afghanistan, Sudan, and Ukraine.
6. WUSC Student Refugee Program – Canada
Region: Canada
Degree Level: Undergraduate
Coverage: Tuition, living expenses, resettlement services
Why It’s Groundbreaking:
The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) program offers resettlement and education simultaneously, allowing refugee students to permanently relocate to Canada.
Eligibility:
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Verified refugee status
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Nominated by UNHCR or WUSC partners
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Strong academic background
7. DAAD Scholarship for Refugees – Germany
Region: Germany
Degree Level: Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Coverage: Tuition (most German universities are free), monthly stipend, language courses, and housing
Why It’s Effective:
Germany has a strong support infrastructure for refugees, and DAAD offers both general scholarships and targeted support for students fleeing conflict zones like Syria and Ukraine.
Eligibility:
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Refugee or asylum status in Germany
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Acceptance to a German university
8. Open Society Foundations – Global Scholarships
Region: Global
Degree Level: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral
Coverage: Tuition, travel, living expenses, mentorship
Mission-Oriented:
Open Society offers several programs supporting students from marginalized and stateless backgrounds, including Roma, displaced Palestinians, Rohingya, and Afghan women.
Focus Areas:
Human rights, public health, law, journalism, and international relations
Tips for Stateless and Refugee Students Applying to Scholarships
1. Use Legal Support Services
Work with NGOs like UNHCR, ICRC, or local legal aid to obtain necessary documents (birth certificate alternatives, refugee status confirmation, etc.).
2. Highlight Your Resilience
Include personal statements or letters of motivation that showcase your journey, challenges, and determination. These stories often resonate deeply with review committees.
3. Find Mentorship
Connect with scholarship alumni, educational NGOs, or academic advisors who can help with applications and letters of recommendation.
4. Apply Early
Competition is intense. Apply well before deadlines and prepare your transcripts, ID documents, and translations early.
The Bigger Picture: Education as a Lifeline
Scholarships for refugees and stateless students are more than financial aid—they are lifelines. They offer:
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Protection and legal recognition
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Stability and self-reliance
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Hope for future generations
In a world where over 100 million people are forcibly displaced, expanding access to higher education is not just an act of charity—it’s an investment in peace, progress, and humanity.