UNHCR and DAFI Scholarship for Refugees in Pakistan

Job Description

Opportunity Description

• The UNHCR DAFI scholarship program is designed to support refugee youth in Pakistan who are interested in pursuing undergraduate studies or technical education at recognized institutions. This scholarship program is specifically geared toward those who are seeking their first undergraduate degree, or technical education, and female students who want to complete their higher secondary education. The program was established in 1992 with funding from the German government and is implemented by UNHCR. Over 9,300 refugees have benefited from this scholarship program to date.

Brief Details DAFI Scholarship for Refugees:

• Offered by:(UNHCR) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees & Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative (DAFI)
• Format: In Person
• Application Deadline:  September 8, 2023
• Scholarship Duration: Renewable for up to 4 years
• Gender: Male and Female
• Type: Courses
• Eligible Countries: Refugees

UNHCR & DAFI Scholarships are in 3 categories:

• TERTIARY EDUCATION (Bachelor studies) Only for Afghan refugees who live in Pakistan
• Technical Education (for refugees of all nationalities)
• DAFI BRIDGE PROGRAMME – Higher secondary education for Girls

Benefits of DAFI Scholarship

the scholarship provides the following benefits:

• Tuition fees or financial support
• Book costs
• travel expenses

Eligibility Criteria for Higher Education:

• You are an individual who has been granted refugee status in the host country.
• You are 30 years or younger (NOT UNDER 17) 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 or have admission proof from a HEC Recognized Higher educational institute/University.
• You have a high/secondary school diploma and have 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 (bachelor’s)
• 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 are the only DAFI beneficiary in your family
• You require financial assistance to continue your studies.
• Volunteering, mentoring, and community development are all examples of community service.

Eligibility Criteria 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. (valid POR/UNHCR Refugee card holder)
• You are between 16 – 30 years old 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 have an admission from 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.
• Duration of your program must be two to three years
• 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 must be the only DAFI beneficiary in your family

DAFI BRIDGE PROGRAMME – Higher secondary education for Girls  eligibility

• Valid POR/UNHCR Refugee card holder.
• Age between 16 to 30 years
• Enrolled in 11th grade (Pakistani school system).
• Candidate must have at least 65% marks in the last examination.
• Enrolled in Pakistani public or private schools.
• The applicant must be the only beneficiary in DAFI from his/her family.
• The applicant should not be receiving any other academic scholarship or support.
• Strong motivation t contribute towards the completion of education

Important Information:

• 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.
• if You shortlist we will invite you for interviews in (Islamabad, Peshawar, Karachi, and Quetta)
• Pakistani students are not eligible for the scholarship
• Students trying to influence the selection process will be automatically disqualified
• Applicants who are already availing of 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.

Required documents for applying to DAFI Scholarship: 

• DAFI Application Form fully completed and signed (download application form, fill and signed)
• 2 passport-size photos
• Copy of valid UNHCR/ POR refugee card
• Copy of 12-grade certificate for Pakistani school and copy of Shahadatnama for Afghanistan school (for bachelor applicants),
• copy of 10/12 graders results for TVET applicants
• copy of 10 grader results for Bridge program applicants
• Proof of enrollment in a Technical Institute (technical education) /Admission Letter / Bonafede letter.

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

Fortunately, this year you can apply online

Before this applicant submitted by hand or courier to the DAFI Project Manager – Inspire Pakistan Head

To read more about UNHCR and DAFI Scholarships for refugees, visit Inspire Pakistan’s website.

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