In the four years that I have been a support group member for a young Baghdad woman now studying at DePaul, I have been able to befriend some very brave and talented Iraqi young people. They have expanded my world immeasurably. There are now 10 talented and qualified students waiting in Damascus for similar opportunities to study in the U.S. People who step forward to help will never regret their involvement. So much more will be given to them than they can ever offer to the students.
What ISP Does: The Iraqi Student Project . . .
Works impartially to identify screen and recommend students from Iraq, (most of them living as refugees in Damascus, Syria) for tuition waivers based on their academic records, English language ability, economic need, and overall likelihood of success.
Secures tuition waivers, scholarships and grants from US colleges and universities for qualified undergraduates who will spend at least a year with the ISP in Damascus preparing for study in the US.
84% of Iraq's universities were targeted and destroyed during the invasion.
Helps volunteer leaders in local US communities form a support group for each student to meet the financial, and social needs of the student.
Develops the fund-raising capacity to support national operating expenses and provides fundraising technical assistance to local US support groups.
Builds ongoing support to sustain current students and seeks opportunities for more displaced Iraqi students who wish to study in the US.