Program Summary

The American Palestinian Local University Scholarships (A-PLUS) program is providing 51 bright, academically promising, but socioeconomically disadvantaged Palestinian high school graduates throughout the West Bank and Gaza with full academic undergraduate scholarships for bachelor’s degree programs at local Palestinian universities. The 51 A-PLUS scholarships are funded by the United States Department of State through the Middle East Partnership Initiative and the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. In addition to full tuition, fees, transportation and—in a few special cases—housing, A-PLUS Scholarships cover the costs of training and internship opportunities to develop and enhance their employability and professional careers. The program is a multi-tier model that incorporates educational advancement with practical skills training and experience to increase A-PLUS graduates’ employability and the number of employment opportunities relevant to their degrees and areas of interest.

Main Goals

• Expand academic opportunities for bright, academically promising, but socioeconomically disadvantaged Palestinian high school graduates throughout the West Bank and Gaza
• Support the educational and career aspirations of capable and highly motivated high school seniors from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds

Program Results

• Selected from among more than 1,600 applicants, 51 high-achieving, financially challenged Palestinian high school graduates were awarded A-PLUS scholarships in August 2010.
• A-PLUS scholars have embarked successfully on their first year of college at Palestinian universities in the West Bank and Gaza, majoring in a diverse range of fields in business, engineering, medicine, and the arts and sciences.