The UNHCR and DAFI Scholarship is granting a fully funded scholarship to refugees studying at some institutions in Pakistan. This offer is open to all refugees in Pakistan who wish to pursue their bachelor’s degree.

Here in this blog post are some detailed information concerning this scholarship opportunity and steps on how to acquire it. Please kindly read to the end to avoid missing important details.

Opportunity Detail

Language Requirement: Not required

Gender: Male, Female

Level: Bachelor

Eligible Region/Countries: Refugees in Pakistan

Opportunity ID: 55

Funding Type: Fully Funded

Duration: Up to 4 years

Opportunity Description

The UNHCR DAFI scholarship program offers financial aid to refugee youth enrolled in institutions approved by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and the Government of Pakistan for undergraduate studies and technical education (TVET).

This scholarship program enables refugee youth to further their education and careers by enabling them to enroll in first-year undergraduate programs when they otherwise would not be able to. Over 9300 refugees benefited from this scholarship, which was established by the German government in 1992 and administered by UNHCR.

Organized by: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) & Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI)

Application Deadline: N/A

Scholarship Duration: Renewable for up to 4 years

UNHCR and DAFI Scholarship are in 2 categories:

Higher Education (Bachelor studies) Only for Afghan refugeeTechnical Education (for refugees of all nationalities)

UNHCR and DAFI Scholarship Benefits

Tuition fees and required study fees.

Eligibility Criteria for UNHCR and DAFI Scholarship

For Higher Education:

• You are an individual who has been granted refugee status in the host country.
• You are 30 years or younger at the start of your studies. (Exceptions to the age limitation may apply if you started your bachelor’s studies in your home country but had to interrupt your studies due to flight or if you faced particular challenges to access higher education programs because of a specific factor such as parenting or child care responsibilities, disability, etc).
• You are enrolled in HEC Recognized Higher educational institute/University.
• You have a high/secondary school diploma, and you can present the original documents attesting to your achievements. If you don’t have the necessary documentation, please contact UNHCR or Inspire Pakistan and describe your situation before submitting your application. Explain why you are unable to submit an original certificate on the form of the application
• You received at least 60% in your last high school or college examination (bachelors)
• You are fluent in the language of instruction for the degree program you wish to pursue.
• You are not currently receiving any other type of scholarship.
• You require financial assistance to continue your studies.
• You are driven to give back to your community through leadership, volunteering, and other means.
• Volunteering, mentoring, and community development are all examples of community service.

For Technical Education:

• You are a person who has been granted refugee status in the host country or who is deemed to require international protection by UNHCR and/or the host country.
• You are 30 years old or younger when you begin your studies. (Exceptions to the age restriction may apply if you started your bachelor’s studies in your home country but had to interrupt your studies due to a flight or if you faced specific challenges to accessing higher education programs due to a particular factor such as parenting or child care responsibilities, disability, etc.
• You are a student at a Technical Institute registered with the government of Pakistan.
• You have a secondary school diploma from the Pakistani education system or a higher secondary certificate from the Afghan education system. You can provide original documents attesting to your achievements. If you lack the necessary documents, please contact UNHCR or Inspire Pakistan and explain your situation. Before submitting your application, explain why you are unable to submit an original certificate on the application form.
• You received at least 50% in secondary school (Pakistani education), higher secondary school (Afghani education), or the most recent technical education examination.
• You are fluent in the language of instruction for the degree program you wish to pursue.
• You are not currently receiving any other type of scholarship.

Important Information about UNHCR and DAFI Scholarship:

• The applications are open for female Afghan refugee youth and non-Afghan refugee youth (male & female) for undergraduate studies.
• In addition, applications for technical education are available for refugees of all nationalities.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted on the numbers and emails provided in the application forms and will be invited for interviews in Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, and Quetta, respectively
• Pakistani students are not eligible for the scholarship
• Students trying to influence the selection process will be automatically disqualified
• Applicants who are already availing any other scholarship (CHEC, Allama Iqbal HSSP, and NAVTT) program are not eligible to apply.
• UNHCR Inspire Pakistan Reserves the right to cancel the scholarship in case of misrepresentation of information or documents.
• Please keep in mind that application forms are completely free. Incomplete and late application forms will not be accepted.

Required documents for UNHCR and DAFI Scholarship:

• DAFI Application Form fully completed and signed
• 2 passport size photos
• Copy of valid POR/UNHCR refugee card
• Copy of Matriculation certificate for Pakistani school and copy of Shahadatnama for students from Afghan students
• Proof of enrollment in a Technical Institute/Admission Letter.

How to apply for UNHCR and DAFI Scholarship for Refugees in Pakistan?

Applications should be submitted by hand or courier to the DAFI Project Manager – Inspire Pakistan Head Office House No. 351, Street No. 72, Sector G-11/2 Islamabad.

“They strongly encourage women and refugees with varying needs to apply.”

To learn more about UNHCR and DAFI Scholarships for Refugees in Pakistan, visit Inspire Pakistan’s website.

Similar Opportunities:

• The University of Cambridge offers admission to the 2023-2024 Academic Session
• The University of Chicago offers admission to the 2023-2024 Academic Session
• Purdue University offers admission to the 2023-2024 Academic Session