Since the Taliban took over the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghan students and scholars try to escape from the country. For Afghan refugee students and scholars who land in the United States, this blog post will provide a list of resources for them.
By reading this article, readers will be able to learn…
- Scholarship/ funding opportunities for Afghan students and scholars
- Legal services for Afghan students and scholars
- Where to keep their educational materials
- How to apply for the fee waiver to get the English test
- How to transfer the educational credentials to U.S.
- Volunteer opportunities for Afghan refugees
- Various ways to support Afghan refugees
Contents
- Resources for Afghan refugee students
- Resources for Afghan refugee scholars
- Legal services for students and scholars
- Ways to help Afghan refugees
Resources for Afghan refugee students
1. Scholarships, online and language learning opportunities
Students can find various scholarship opportunities by going to the IIE PEER webpage. IIE PEER was established with the goal of “Helping displaced and refugee students build a sustainable future through educational opportunities.” Afghan refugee students can find resources by going to the Resources page and scholarship opportunities across the world at the Opportunities webpage.
The IIE also provides the Emergency Student Fund to international college students whose education has been disturbed by natural disasters, war, or other crises. To be eligible for the Emergency Student Fund, the student should be enrolled in U.S. universities or colleges. Now the fund is accepting nominations from member institutions for Afghanistan or Haiti students.
Emergency grants are awarded to post-secondary international students matriculated at accredited educational institutions in the United States whose sources of support have been impacted by natural disaster or other crises.
IIE Emergency Student Fund
Therefore, Afghan students who are currently studying in the U.S. may want to reach out to their advisors and ask if the college is one of the IIENetwork Member institutions.
2. Where to keep all of your education documents and certificates online
The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) provides Article 26 Backpack which is a cloud-based server where students and scholars can safely store transcripts, diplomas, and other forms of certification. What is more, “backpackers” can share the stored documents with universities, scholarship agencies, and employers.
To use the service, backpack users only need an email address and access to the internet. The instruction is available in English and Dari/Farsi.
3. How to transfer your credentials to U.S. colleges and universities
Students who would like to continue their educations in the U.S. may need to transfer the educational credentials that they earned from their home countries. Thanks to WES Gateway Program, students can get their educational credentials assessed.
Eligibility to participate in the program as well as the application process can be found in the pdf below.
4. Free English language test to apply for U.S. colleges and universities
International students including Afghan students who plan to apply for U.S. colleges or universities might need to submit the English competency test scores as one of the required documents. Getting the English test can be burdensome, particularly for refugee students as it could cost hundreds ($$$).
Duolingo, which is one of the online English tests that is accepted by lots of U.S. colleges and universities, will waive fees for Afghan students. To take advantage of the benefit, students need to complete the form.
Resources for Afghan refugee scholars
1. Funding opportunities
The Institute of International Education (IIE) provides funds not only for students but also for scholars. Afghan professors and researchers can apply for the IIE Scholar Rescue Fund by going to the IIE website.
The Institute of International Education’s Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) is the only global program that arranges and funds fellowships for threatened and displaced scholars at partnering higher education institutions worldwide.
IIE website
2. Seeking support for scholars and practitioners
Scholars at Risk is an international network and its mission is “to protect scholars and promote academic freedom.” Scholars at Risk issued the statement that urges supports for Afghan scholars and more than hundreds of American higher education leaders have signed the letter.
To seek supports from the network, scholars can submit the application for assistance.
Legal services for students and scholars
- PARS Equality Center provides legal assistance for individuals in Afghanistan. To get support, Afghan student should complete the Afghan Support Intake form.
- Human Rights First provides pro bono legal assistance for any Afghan person seeking legal assistance in the United States (whether physically in the U.S. or abroad). To submit the inquiry, complete the Google form.
- Immigration Advocates Network provides the National Immigration Legal Services Directory. This means, Afghan students and scholars can find free or low cost immigration legal services providers by state, or county.
- If you are enrolled in colleges or universities in the DC metropolitan area, check out the American University’s Dream Initiative (AU Dream). Students and families will be able to get free immigration legal services.
Ways to help Afghan refugees
1. Where to donate to support their missions and services
Most services that are listed here accept donations. Other than that, the following organizations accept signs or donations especially to support Afghanistan citizens.
2. How to find volunteer opportunities
Refugee Council USA provides an interactive map where people can find the nearest volunteer opportunities.
This blog post gathered available resources for Afghan refugee students and scholars who would like to continue their educations and researches in the United States. If there’s an Afghan individual out there who needs assistance with an F-1 student visa, feel free to leave a comment here and I will also do my best to assist with my knowledge.
All other F-1 visa information can be found on the F-1 visa page. For college and university international students who would like to work off-campus as an F-1 visa holder, check out OPT and STEM OPT pages.
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