Financial hurdles to getting a post-secondary education in Canada are being knocked down for some refugees from Afghanistan.
Fanshawe College has launched a new scholarship program to provide financial support for five Afghanistan refugees who want to enroll there.
"A number of refugees from Afghanistan have arrived in London and are now looking to build a new life in Canada,” Janice Lamoureux, the college's dean of students, said in a statement. “We know that access to post-secondary education can open up opportunities, and we look forward to welcoming these students to Fanshawe.”
The scholarship program will cover the full cost of tuition and ancillary fees to complete one post-secondary program. The scholarship recipients will also be given $500 per term for textbooks and supplies and have the option of completing the "English for academic purposes" course.
The college is partnering with local agencies who work with refugees, such as the London Cross Cultural Learner Centre, to develop a referral process for those who would benefit from the financial assistance. Support will be provided through Fanshawe's student services programs, which includes academic advising, career planning, and counselling services.
London has taken in nearly two dozen Afghanistan refugees over the past two weeks. They were evacuated from the war-torn country after the withdrawal of U.S. forces led to a resurgence and takeover by the Taliban.
