FAQs to understand a new pathway for refugee students through university sponsorship

University/college sponsorship of refugee students is an education pathway for refugee students to be admitted as a student into a U.S. higher education institution (HEI) and as a refugee into the U.S. As part of sponsoring the student, the HEI commits to providing financial and logistical support for the student. Funding may come from an individual campus or other private sources or public-private partnerships.

Any higher education institution who is willing and able to commit to the responsibilities of a sponsoring HEI is eligible to sponsor a refugee student.

A scholarship provides financial support for a refugee student to attend a college or university but does NOT provide a guarantee of a visa to enter the U.S. or an immigration pathway to remain in the U.S. following their completion of studies.

A sponsorship is a commitment to support a refugee students’ education and provide integration support throughout the duration of their time on campus. Sponsorship provides a resettlement opportunity for refugee students and they arrive in the U.S. as a refugee with a pathway to legal permanent residence and citizenship.

Students would go through the existing U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). They would arrive in the U.S. with refugee status and be eligible to apply for permanent legal status after one year and citizenship after five years.

The implementing organization will consider students who:

1. Would be considered refugees under U.S. law – to be accepted into the program and ultimately travel to study in the U.S. will need to meet the U.S. definition of a refugee. Generally speaking, refugees are people outside of their country who are unable or unwilling to return home because they fear serious harm.

2. Possess academic potential to succeed at a U.S. college or university – students will need to demonstrate that they have the requisite academic skills for a U.S. college or university, including an advanced level of English.

Additionally, in the program’s initial years, students will need to reside in a country where the program operates. While ultimately the program should be open to any refugee student anywhere in the world, at first, it will only be available in specific locations.

The implementing organization will first compile all profiles of accepted students and all admission criteria from the sponsoring HEI. The sponsoring HEI will be sent the profiles of students that meet admission criteria for their institutions’ review and ranking. Students will also be able to express and rank their preferred colleges and universities.