Inquiry

Answer:

Hello! Yes, there are a few innovative scholarship or funding models designed for refugees and at-risk students that work on a “study now, pay later” basis — often called “income-share agreements” (ISAs) or deferred repayment scholarships. These are different from traditional loans and are usually more flexible and humane, especially for people in difficult situations.

🌍 Scholarships or Programs with Deferred Payment / Repayment Models

✅ 1. Student Refugee Income Share Agreements (ISAs)

Some nonprofit organizations and social enterprises partner with universities to help refugees study now and repay later — based on their income after employment.

• Model: You get a fully funded education now, and after graduation, you agree to pay a small percentage of your future income once you’re earning above a certain threshold.

• Key Example:

  • Kepler / Inkomoko / Wedu – In Africa and Asia, some education initiatives offer this model.
  • RefuAid (UK) – Offers “equal access loans” to refugees, repayable only after finding work.

These are usually not high-interest loans, but socially driven programs with flexibility and protection for the student.

✅ 2. Wedu – Rising Stars Program (Asia, Africa, MENA)

• Offers education financing with Future Income Sharing Agreements.
• You repay only when you have stable income.
• Focuses on students (especially women) from underserved communities.
• Can fund university or professional education.

✅ 3. Luminus Education (Edraak / Jordan)

• Has partnered with donors to offer flexible repayable scholarships to refugee learners in Jordan and Lebanon.
• Payments are deferred until after employment, similar to an ISA.

✅ 4. Global Education Movement (GEM) – SNHU (Southern New Hampshire University)

• Offers free university degrees for refugees in Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi, Lebanon.
• Not a repayment model, but you get a fully funded U.S. degree.
• Programs are supported by nonprofits, so there’s no repayment — but this is a good alternative if you want tuition-free options without a loan.

⚠️ What to Know Before Applying

• These programs may have limited seats and specific locations (you might need to be in a refugee-hosting country like Uganda, Kenya, Jordan, etc.).

• You’ll usually need:

  • Refugee or asylum-seeker status
  • High school diploma or previous degree
  • Willingness to commit to work after graduation
• Repayment only begins when you're financially stable — usually earning above a threshold (e.g., \$10,000/year).

🔍 Would You Like Help Finding These?

I can help you:

• Identify active programs based on your current country or legal status
• Write a request letter or email to these organizations
• Connect you with education NGOs offering income-linked scholarships

Would you like that?