The Student Refugee Program (SRP) is a very small resettlement program that provides opportunities for certain refugees to continue their post-secondary studies in Canada. It is managed by World University Service of Canada (WUSC), a leading non-profit Canadian international development agency. Note that the SRP is NOT a scholarship program.
The SRP is supported by WUSC Local Committees (made up of university and college students, staff and faculty) on campuses across Canada. Through its agreements with the Government of Canada and the Government of Québec (a Canadian province), WUSC enables students sponsored through the program to enter Canada as permanent residents.
Volunteer members of the WUSC committees arrange financial and social support for each refugee during their first year of study in Canada. Financial assistance is provided "in kind" - things like reduced or free tuition and accommodation fees - plus a very small sum of money to buy basic necessities. Sponsored students do not receive cash to study.
How to apply
WUSC accepts applications only from the following countries of asylum: Kenya, Malawi and Thailand.
If you are a mandated refugee living in one of these countries and wish to apply to the SRP, you must:
- be between the ages of 17 and 25;
- have completed secondary school. Preference is given to refugee students who meet the "O" level requirements (having a diploma is an additional advantage);
- Be a recognized refugee in your country of asylum (ex. a UNHCR convention refugee);
- express the need to be resettled;
- be proficient in English or French;
- be single, without dependents and able to resettle in Canada;
- be self-reliant and mature.
If you meet the above criteria, please read the following before beginning the application process:
- You must live in the country of asylum from which you are sending your application and be recognized as a refugee by the authorities who are mandated to give this status, i.e. the national government or UNHCR.
- Only 60-65 candidates are accepted by WUSC each year and the sponsorship process can take up to two years or more.
- Do not apply directly to WUSC. Your application must be processed through one of our partner organizations listed below.
- The call for application comes out each year at the beginning of March.
- To apply, write a cover letter that:
- describes yourself
- includes up-to-date contact information like an e-mail (if you have one) and a phone number (either your own or that of someone who can take a message for you.)
- indicates how you meet the basic criteria of the SRP/
- Include a photocopy of all important academic records including previous TOEFL score results if applicable. (You do not need a TOEFL score to apply.)
Where to apply
Send your application to the address below that corresponds to your country of asylum:
Kenya:
WUSC Student Refugee Program
c/o Windle Trust Kenya
No.10 Amboseli Rd. Off Gitanga Rd.
Box 40521 - 00100, Nairobi GPO
Nairobi,
KENYA
Malawi
WUSC Student Refugee Program
c/o WUSC-Malawi
P.O. Box 30268
Lilongwe, MALAWI
Thailand
TBD
