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Q&A – Scholarship

What do you mean by the scholarship period?

The scholarship period starts the first day of the Fall Term I semester and ends on the last day of the Fall Term I semester (August 5 – September 10).

Who is eligible for a scholarship?

To be eligible for this scholarship you must not be under 20 years old when the scholarship commences; be a current or former Saifi Institute student or have reached upper intermediate and advanced levels in Levantine Arabic or another regional dialect.  Please note if you are currently living in Lebanon you may only apply for a half scholarship.

 

Preferred candidates will have: a demonstrated interest in, and commitment to learning Arabic; little or no experience of learning a regional dialect; an academic or vocational focus in the Middle East: language, society, culture, history, politics, aid and development.  Preferred candidates will also demonstrate financial need.

Do I need to provide evidence of health insurance whilst I am on a full scholarship?

Yes, if you are a full scholarship award winner you must have health insurance.   On arrival at the institute you will need to show evidence of a health insurance policy that covers you for the entire duration of the scholarship period (see the full scholarship terms and conditions for more details).  Lebanon does not currently have a free healthcare system and Saifi Institute cannot be responsible for your health costs while you are in Lebanon.

Do I need to provide evidence of health insurance whilst I am on a half scholarship?

Yes, if you are a half scholarship award winner you must have health insurance.   On arrival at the institute you will need to show evidence of a health insurance policy that covers you for the entire duration of the scholarship period (see the half scholarship terms and conditions for more details).  Lebanon does not currently have a free healthcare system and Saifi Institute cannot be responsible for your health costs while you are in Lebanon.

Will I receive a free airport transfer as a full scholarship winner?

Full scholarship winners are eligible for two free airport transfers between the airport and Saifi Urban Gardens Hostel during the scholarship period. They can be used up to two days prior to the beginning of the scholarship period, and the day after the scholarship period ends (24 June – 26 July).  Students arriving in Lebanon earlier than two days before or one day after the scholarship period will be responsible for their own airport transfers.

Will I receive my own room as a full scholarship winner?

Yes, as a full scholarship winner you will receive your own private room with your own bathroom and free internet Wi-Fi at the Saifi Urban Gardens Hostel which is next door to Saifi Institute.  You will also receive a complimentary breakfast each morning in the hostel café, Café Em Nazih.

Will I receive my own room as a half scholarship winner?

No, as a half scholarship winner you receive free tuition only.  You are responsible for the costs of all travel to and from Lebanon, and all living expenses during your time in Lebanon.

Can Saifi help me with my travel arrangements to and from Lebanon?

No, all students are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from Lebanon.

Can Saifi Institute help me obtain a visa for Lebanon?

Unfortunately no, Saifi Institute does not offer help with visas for students that attend our courses.  However, many nationalities can obtain a free three-month tourist visa on arrival at Beirut international airport.  It is essential that you check Lebanon’s visa requirements before traveling.  Please see the General Security website for more details on this.

Am I eligible for a scholarship under the age of twenty?

No, all scholarship winners must have turned twenty on or before the date the scholarship commences.  Scholarships will not be offered to students under twenty.

I am not sure about my Arabic level, what should I write on my scholarship application form?

Tick the box you feel most closely matches your current level.  All successful applicants are required to complete an evaluation with our Academic Director who will determine your level of Arabic and recommend the right course for you.  It is very important you are honest about your Arabic abilities when you complete the application form.

I am a complete beginner in Arabic (both formal and urban), can I apply for the scholarship?

Yes!  The scholarship is open to complete beginners who have never done any Arabic before.

I have studied Fusha and have reached an advanced level, but I don’t know any regional Arabic dialects, am I eligible to apply for the scholarship?

Yes!  We welcome students who have studied formal Arabic (Fusha) and who wish to broaden their knowledge and learn a regional dialect.

I am an advanced student of the Egyptian/Moroccan/Tunisian/Gulf/Iraqi dialect. Can I apply for a scholarship at Saifi Institute?

You many apply but preferred candidates are Arabic students who have never had the chance to study overseas or in Lebanon; and students who have had limited experience of learning a regional dialect.

I have lived and worked in Lebanon before, am I eligible to apply for a scholarship?

You may apply but please note the eligibility criteria in the scholarship information section.

I am a full scholarship winner but I don’t need free accommodation in Lebanon, can I receive cash in lieu of the cost of accommodation?

No cash is offered in lieu of any part of the award.  If you do not wish to stay at Saifi Urban Gardens Hostel, Saifi Institute cannot be responsible for any of your accommodation costs OR airport transfers which cover the cost of transport between the airport and the Saifi campus.

I am a full scholarship winner but I need to arrive two days before the course starts because of travel complications. Am I still eligible for an airport transfer to Saifi?

Yes, you can still take advantage of the free transfer to Saifi Urban Gardens Hostel.  Scholarship winners are eligible for two nights’ accommodation prior to the beginning of term, and one night after.  You will need to pay for any extra nights of accommodation that fall outside this period.

I am a scholarship winner, does that guarantee me a completion certificate?

No. Award winners who attend classes regularly and take all the exams, including the final end-of-semester exam will receive a completion certificate. In other words, you need to pass the course to receive one.

I am arriving in Lebanon two weeks before the scholarship commences, and I am not staying at Saifi, am I still eligible for the airport transfer?

No. Only award winners staying at Saifi Urban Gardens Hostel during the scholarship period will receive the free airport transfer.

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