Potential Sponsored Students
The Student Refugee Program (SRP) is a unique program that combines resettlement to Canada with access to post-secondary education for young refugees. 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 - students are sponsored for one year and receive basic financial and social support.
The SRP is supported by WUSC Local Committees (made up of university, college, and CEGEP 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 sponsored student during their first year of study in Canada. Financial assistance is provided “in kind” – such as reduced or free tuition and accommodation fees – plus a small sum of money to buy basic necessities. Sponsored students do not receive cash to study.
FAQ
Before you submit your application, please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions section for answers to common questions about the Student Refugee Program.
SRP General Eligibility Requirements
- Be currently living in Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, or Uganda and have continuously resided there for 3 years at the time of application;
- Be registered with UNHCR
- Be between 18-25 years old as of January 1st in the year of application
- Be eligible and suitable for resettlement under the criteria of Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees program;
- Have completed secondary school and already be in possession of the paper copy of the official and original secondary diploma and transcripts (if applicable);
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- Minimum grade will be posted in the country-specific application when the call is launched
- Be competent in English or French (oral and written competence);
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- Note: WUSC accepts applications from English or French-speaking students in all of the countries where the SRP operates.
- Be single (unmarried) with no children;
- Be facing barriers to accessing or completing undergraduate post-secondary education;
- Be self-reliant, mature and suitable for integration in Canada as an individual.
Call for Applications, 2027-28
WUSC accepts applications from SRP applicants in both the English and French streams in the following countries of asylum: Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, and Uganda.
Please check back in early 2026 for specific information about how to apply for the 2027-28 SRP cohort.
Jordan
Application is open from February 16 until March 14, 2026 at 11:59 pm Amman time.
Kenya
Application is open from February 13 until March 13, 2026 at 5:00 pm East African Time
Lebanon
Application is open from February 16 until March 14, 2026, at 11:59 pm Lebanon time.
Uganda
Application is open from March 2 until March 20, 2026 at 5pm Kampala time.
Where to apply
Please see below for the WUSC office or partner organization responsible for launching the SRP Online Application process in each country of asylum. Note that we only accept online applications from refugees living in the countries indicated below and only during the recruitment period which is open for 2-3 weeks each year. The exact time frame when the Call for Application is open will vary by country but will be between November and April each year.
Jordan & Lebanon
WUSC Jordan is responsible for SRP selection in Jordan and Lebanon. The SRP is open to refugees living in urban/semi-urban situations or in refugee camps. For any further questions, please contact WUSC Jordan at [email protected]. You are encouraged to follow WUSC Jordan’s Facebook page for news about the next Call for Applications.
Kenya
WUSC Kenya is responsible for SRP selection in Kenya. The SRP is open to refugees living in urban areas or in Kakuma and Dadaab Refugee camps. For any further questions, please contact WUSC Kenya at [email protected].
Uganda
WUSC’s partner in Uganda is Windle International Uganda. The SRP is open to refugees living in any of the refugee settlements in Uganda, including Kampala. For any further questions, please contact the WIU office at [email protected]. You are encouraged to follow the Windle International Uganda Facebook page for news about the next Call for Applications.