The University of Tulsa (TU) in Oklahoma will be offering academic scholarships to refugees from Afghanistan affected by Taliban forces retaking their country.
The private research university said it is willing to cover the total cost of attendance for up to four years. For now, TU plans to offer scholarships to two Afghan refugees.
In addition to shouldering academic expenses, the school has promised to help address the mental and emotional needs of displaced students. It is also calling on other institutions to offer similar support for the embattled Afghan people.
According to TU President Brad Carson, the school has long been one of the country’s most welcoming universities, especially for students from other parts of the world. “At a time when these brave young people need us most, we are opening our doors to provide a safe place to learn and grow,” he said in a press release.
Earlier this week, more than 600 people from Afghanistan packed into a US Air Force cargo plane in an attempt to leave the country after the Taliban made rapid military advances against surrendering Afghan government forces.
Scholarships Guidelines
For Afghan refugees to qualify for the scholarship, they must apply as a first-time undergraduate student seeking a bachelor’s degree. They must also have already fled their country and legally be able to enter the US.
TU also announced that aspiring Afghan scholars must demonstrate that they do not not have the financial means to attend the institution. They should also be able to lawfully study full-time in the country.
Once qualified, the university said it will grant the scholarships right away.
“It is our hope to expand the global connections for which TU is known, promote a spirit of free inquiry and advance humanitarian efforts by assisting Afghan students at this difficult and historic time,” Carson explained. “Our hearts go out to each of them.”
