The Scholarships for Ghazza Mentorship Initiative
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Story update: 17 Feb 2025
Scholarships for Ghazza: A Lifeline for Gaza’s Students
Scholarships for Ghazza (SFG) is a Palestinian-led mentorship program that helps students from Gaza apply for higher education scholarships. With Israel destroying all of Gaza’s universities, students are left with no place to continue their education. Yet, for generations, Palestinians have valued education as a path to hope and opportunity. That’s why SFG exists—to guide students through the application process and help them secure scholarships to study abroad.
Despite facing genocide, starvation, displacement, the loss of loved ones, and the daily struggle to access basic necessities, Gaza’s students refuse to give up. Many risk their safety just to find an internet connection and meet their mentors. They are intelligent, hardworking, and determined to build a better future, no matter the odds.
SFG connects them with academic mentors who teach them how to write personal statements, apply for universities, request fee waivers, choose courses, and improve their English. Our goal is not to do the work for them but to give them the skills they need to succeed.
Since starting, SFG has helped nearly 500 students, and we plan to support another 500 in the next five months. While we don’t provide scholarships, we guide students toward existing opportunities and help them tell their stories in a way that aligns with scholarship goals.
The Story Behind Scholarships for Ghazza
Scholarships for Ghazza (SFG) was founded in August 2024 by Ahmed Issa after he and his family were evacuated from Gaza during the Israeli genocide. With 12 universities bombed and the education system destroyed, students were left with no way to continue their studies. SFG was created to help them find scholarships and pursue their education abroad.
Gaza’s youth are highly educated and eager to learn, but many lack the skills to apply for scholarships—writing personal statements, preparing CVs, and navigating university applications. Ahmed saw this first-hand while helping students secure Chevening Scholarships. They had the talent and determination but needed guidance to present their stories effectively.
That’s where SFG’s mentorship program comes in. Students are paired with mentors who teach them how to apply, refine their applications, and choose the right scholarships. SFG also collects and shares scholarship opportunities so students can easily access them.
At its core, SFG gives Gaza’s students the tools and support they need to keep learning and building a future—no matter the challenges.
What SFG Mentors Do
SFG mentors guide Gazan students through every step of the university and scholarship application process. They help students:
Navigate applications and meet eligibility requirements.
- Write and refine CVs, personal statements, and scholarship letters.
- Communicate with universities and scholarship boards.
- Boost their English language confidence to communicate better.
Mentors connect with their mentees primarily through WhatsApp and video calls, with support from an SFG organizer. They exchange documents, provide feedback, and ensure students stay on track. Mentors can also join weekly support calls with the organizing team for guidance.
Each mentor follows a structured set of guidelines to assist students while maintaining a professional and considerate relationship. Their role is not to complete applications for students but to empower them with the skills and confidence to do it themselves.
How SFG Has Grown
What started as a small team of two—founder Ahmed Issa and his former Chevening mentee—has now grown into a global network of over 1,200 participants, with mentors from around the world.
Today, SFG is powered by a dedicated team:
- 5 core organizers manage key aspects of the initiative.
- 20 volunteer matchmakers connect students with mentors and ensure mentees get the support they need.
- SFG Head of Matchmaking has customized a CRM system to track mentor-mentee progress efficiently.
- 300+ mentor-mentee pairs are actively working on scholarship applications.
- The English Club mentorship team helps 150 students improve their language skills and prepare for TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo tests.
- The Student Support team reviews funding requests, covering test fees, university applications, internet, and electricity costs—with over 150 requests fulfilled so far.
- Our Scholarship Volunteer Team has compiled a comprehensive list of funding opportunities for Palestinian students.
The Success of SFG
In just a few months, Scholarships for Ghazza has already made a significant impact, helping students secure life-changing opportunities. So far, SFG has supported:
- 2 students in securing the French Excellence Scholarship
- 3 students shortlisted for HESPAL
- 1 student shortlisted for DAAD
- 8 students shortlisted for IPSP, with 5 progressing to primary candidates
- 2 students admitted to the University of Cambridge
- And this is just the beginning. As the academic year progresses, we anticipate even more success stories from hundreds of SFG students who have applied for prestigious scholarships like Fulbright, Chevening, and Said Scholarships.
The Future of SFG
So far, Scholarships for Ghazza (SFG) has been entirely volunteer-led, operating without formal infrastructure.
Our Vision for Growth
We plan to introduce a structured cohort system, with two student intakes per year, each enrolling 250 students from various fields, primarily graduate and postgraduate levels—where most scholarship opportunities exist. Each cohort will receive five months of support.
How It Will Work?
- Foundational Training – Students will attend back-to-back sessions covering essential skills like:
- Choosing the right course
- Writing a strong personal statement
- Applying to universities
- Obtaining reference letters
- Meeting English language requirements
- Mentorship – After training, students will be paired with mentors to refine their applications and target specific scholarships.
- Collaboration with Scholarship Providers – We aim to partner with scholarship foundations to host Q&A sessions, giving students direct access to insights from funding organizations.
By building a sustainable, structured system, SFG will continue empowering Gaza’s students to pursue higher education and secure global opportunities.
We Need Your Help!
SFG is growing, and so is the need for mentors, volunteers, and resources to support Gazan students in their scholarship journey. Here’s how you can get involved:
Every dollar goes directly to helping students. Here’s what your contribution can cover:
- English Test Fees: IELTS ($150), Duolingo ($70), TOEFL ($205)
- University Application Fees: $50–$100 per application
- Internet & Electricity: Stable access is costly—some co-working spaces charge $150/month
- Essential Documents: Transcripts, certificates, and other required paperwork
Every bit of support brings a student closer to their dreams.
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Organiser
Ahmed Issa
Organiser