Scholarships for Refugees: Complete Guide for International Study

Quick Answer

Yes — scholarships for refugees exist, but eligibility depends heavily on your legal status, your current host country, and whether you are formally registered with UNHCR. Some programmes accept only recognised refugees; others also accept asylum seekers, humanitarian-protection holders, or displaced persons. A few programmes fund study within your country of asylum, while others fund resettlement + higher education as one pathway. The most important first step is determining which type of scholarship matches your exact situation — and this guide is built around that.

Refugee Scholarships at a Glance

Refugee vs Asylum Seeker vs Displaced Person: Why It Matters

The single biggest mistake refugee applicants make is assuming that “refugee scholarship” means the same thing in every programme. It doesn’t. Your legal status determines which scholarships you can actually apply for.

Can I Apply? Eligibility Decision Table

Use this quick guide to see which statuses are commonly accepted by each programme. Always confirm the official wording, because country-specific rules can change.

Scholarship vs Resettlement vs Fellowship: Know the Difference

These three categories are often mixed together in generic “refugee scholarship” lists, but they serve completely different purposes.

Scholarships by Host Country

Where you currently live strongly affects which programmes are available to you. Use this breakdown as a starting point.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

The UK has the deepest ecosystem of university-specific Sanctuary Scholarships. These are often open to asylum seekers, not just refugees. Examples include the University of Sheffield Sanctuary Scholarships, University of Liverpool Asylum Seekers Scholarship, and Cambridge Rowan Williams Studentship. See our UK Scholarships Guide.

🇨🇦 Canada

The WUSC Student Refugee Program is Canada’s oldest refugee-education resettlement pathway. It combines a first-year living-cost support package with permanent residency sponsorship. Applications are referral-based, usually through UNHCR or partner organisations.

🇩🇪 Germany

DAAD runs refugee-focused programmes, including Leadership for Africa for Master’s study in Germany. Other German university scholarships exist for refugees already in Germany. See our Germany Scholarships Guide.

🇰🇪 / 🇺🇬 Kenya & Uganda

These countries host large refugee populations and are central to DAFI and the Windle Trust nomination route for Commonwealth Scholarships. Many students in Kenya and Uganda apply through these two pathways.

🇺🇸 United States

Fewer dedicated “refugee scholarships” exist compared to the UK, but IIE Scholar Rescue Fund placements and university-specific aid are available. See our USA Scholarships Guide.

Other Regions

Programmes like UNHCR DAFI operate across many countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Always check country-specific DAFI calls and deadlines.

Top Refugee Scholarship Programmes

What If Your Educational Documents Are Missing?

Many refugee applicants cannot access original transcripts, diplomas, or passports. This is a common challenge — and some universities and scholarship providers have alternative assessment processes.

• Contact the university admissions office directly. Explain your situation before submitting an application.
• Ask about alternative assessment. Some institutions use interviews, entrance exams, portfolios, or previous work experience.
• Gather any partial evidence you have. Old report cards, course syllabi, employment records, or letters from former teachers can help.
• Seek certified translations. If you have documents in another language, arrange professional translation.
• Check scholarship-specific flexibility. Some programmes, especially university Sanctuary Scholarships, are designed for applicants with disrupted education and may be more flexible.

How to Apply for Refugee Scholarships — Step by Step

1. Verify your legal status eligibility. Read the official eligibility page carefully. Look for “refugee,” “asylum seeker,” “displaced person,” or “humanitarian protection.”
2. Document prior learning — even if incomplete. Contact admissions offices early about missing records. They may have alternative pathways.
3. Check host country and residency rules. A scholarship for refugees in Kenya may not apply to refugees in Germany.
4. Understand the programme type. Is it a degree scholarship, resettlement pathway, or academic fellowship? Don’t mix them up.
5. Prepare a strong personal statement. Explain how your experiences shaped your goals — and be specific about what you intend to do.
6. Apply to multiple programmes. Diversify across UNHCR, university, and government-funded awards. Use our GPA to percentage converter if grades are in a different format.

Common Mistakes That Cost Refugee Applicants Scholarships

• Assuming all “refugee scholarships” accept all statuses. Always read the exact legal-status wording.
• Not checking host country restrictions. Where you currently live matters more than where you’re from.
• Not contacting universities early about missing documents. Alternative assessment often exists, but only if you ask in advance.
• Treating resettlement programmes as portable scholarships. WUSC is a resettlement pathway, not just a university grant.
• Applying to IIE-SRF as a degree student. It is for threatened academics, not typical undergraduate or PhD study.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Resources

Christian Chinonso

Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education, GPA systems, and study-abroad guidance for international students.Christian Chinonso is the founder of LearnViaHub, with 6+ years of research experience in international education — including GPA systems, scholarships, student financing, and study-abroad guidance — for students worldwide.