IN THE SPOTLIGHT: PERSIAN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS SUPPORT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY
8 Feb 2011

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: PERSIAN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: PERSIAN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS SUPPORT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY

According to a 2004 study conducted by the Iranian Studies Group at MIT, there are more than 500 Iranian-American professors teaching and doing research at top-ranking U.S. universities and colleges. The 2000 U.S. census data also suggests that Iranian-Americans are the most highly educated ethnic group in the United States. However, it is perhaps academia that has been most adversely affected by geopolitics for the past quarter century, at times making students of Iranian origin subject to prejudice and bias. The exchange of academics between the two countries, which was beginning to show promising signs in 2000, has almost come to a standstill since September 11, 2001. Iranian students willing to continue their studies in the U.S. are faced with often insurmountable obstacles in obtaining visas. When they finally manage to arrive in the U.S. they are not allowed to work or receive financial help from their universities.

To help outstanding but financially constrained Iranian or Iranian-American students pursue higher education in the U.S., several Iranian-American philanthropists have set up scholarship funds in recent years. Dozens of Iranian students have benefited from such funds and the figures are growing. The scholarship funds, some of which are profiled here, cover different academic levels and rely on donations to make grants. As the San Diego-based Iranian-American Scholarship Fund declares on its website, “It is our hope that individuals, organizations, and companies throughout the country will join in this important endeavor to help us offer opportunities of scholarships to our young scholars, throughout the nation.” Thanks to the generosity of Iranian philanthropists, increasing numbers of talented students are being given the opportunity to pursue their academic goals. Here are some examples:

IRANIAN-AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The 2007-08 academic year marked the 10th anniversary of the Iranian-American Scholarship Fund, with 75 scholarships awarded so far. Board member Shahri Estakhry says, “We are now a national scholarship fund, and we are extremely proud and enthusiastic of the support we have received nationally from our community for this important cause.” The fund accepts applications from students of Iranian-American heritage in undergraduate (2nd year and above), as well as graduate (Masters) program studies. Applicants must be attending an accredited educational institution within the United States. The fund does not provide any scholarships for studies outside of the United States. For complete requirements please review application section. After confirmation from their attending school, student applications are reviewed by a team of academic scholars, and at their recommendation the Board of Directors awards the scholarships. https://www.iasfund.org

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS: SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT PARSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

If you are a student looking for an internship opportunity this summer please contact us with a paragraph about yourself and key highlights of your past experiences, interests and ways you believe you can help. Volunteers are needed at our office in Redwood City, CA, but specific projects can be crafted for people elsewhere. Please let us know if you are interested so we can stay in contact with you. Please send your email to info@parsacf.org