University Of Tulsa To Provide 2 Afghanistan Refugees With Full-Ride Scholarship

The University of Tulsa wants to help Afghans fleeing the Taliban. TU is offering a full-ride scholarship to two Afghans seeking refuge in the United States.

The university said these scholarships are available immediately, and anyone who has fled Afghanistan and meets the requirements can apply.

60 countries are represented at the University of Tulsa, and spokeswoman Mona Chamberlin said adding a scholarship like this felt right considering all the resources they have to offer.

“These scholarships are available immediately for refugees," Chamberlin said. "It's a crucial time in their history.”

The two scholarships are full ride for all four years and aimed at Afghan refugees looking for an undergraduate degree.

Chamberlin said this was personal for the university’s president, Brad Carson.

"President Carson is an Iraq war veteran, and I think he really saw what was going on and his heart went out to these people," she said.

Thousands of people have been fleeing the country after it fell to Taliban rule over the weekend. Chamberlain said she hopes to get the word out through connections like their Afghan alumni.

She also hopes Carson can help through some of his Washington connections from his time in Congress. 

“We want to make sure we’re supporting these students, as well as ones that are already here,” Chamberlain said.

As students begin moving in Wednesday, Chamberlin said they hope other organizations and universities consider doing the same to help refugees find a home in Oklahoma.

“It's a wonderful place for everybody to feel at home," she said.

The new funding won't take away from current students already getting financial aid.

To be considered for the scholarship, students must:

1. Apply as a first-time undergraduate for a bachelor's degree.
2. Have fled Afghanistan and can legally enter, or have legally entered, the United States.
3. Demonstrate they would not have the financial means to otherwise attend TU.
4. Be able to lawfully study full-time in the U.S.