Iran Cultural and Educational Center
Iran Arbabi Scholarship
The Iran Arbabi Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students of Iranian descent entering or attending an accredited post-secondary institution. The scholarship is granted annually to at least one eligible applicant, selected based on the eligibility criteria listed below. An independent committee that consists of a panel of distinguished scholars and chaired by a member of the ICEC Board of Trustees screens applications in the summer. Members of the selection committee may also interview the finalists. The recipient (s) may use the scholarship to attend an accredited college across the United States. Scholarships are not limited to any specific field or career objective and may be used to pursue any academic discipline for undergraduate or graduate studies.
2021-2022 Scholarship
For the academic year 2021-2022, two separate scholarships will be awarded to applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and are selected by the Selection Committee. The second donation has been made possible by a donation from the National University of Iran Alumni Association.
Basic Requirements
Applicants should meet the following requirements to be considered for the Iran Arbabi Scholarship. They must:
- Be of Iranian descent;
- Lawfully reside in the Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia, United Sates;
- Submit verification of participation in activities that promote Persian culture and heritage to include, but not limited to attendance at a Farsi language school, participation in Persian art or cultural group (music, dance, theater, etc.), volunteer activities for a Persian community-based charity, active participation in a Persian student association, etc.
- Attend, or be accepted for attendance, at an accredited American college or university in a full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program in Maryland, Virginia or District of Columbia.
- If attending, or accepted for attendance, an undergraduate program:
- a) Possess a high school diploma, or the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma,
- b) Have good academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or higher)
- If attending a graduate program: a) Possess proof of successful completion of undergraduate studies, i.e., Bachelor degree `
All participants need to:
- Complete and submit a Scholarship Application Form;
- Two letters of recommendation; at least one letter should be from an instructor/professor or other high school/college professional;
- An official transcript with the college seal on it;
- Two one-page essays each on:
- What are your dreams and aspirations?
- How has your cultural heritage formed the person you are, and in what way will this serve you as an asset to promote Persian language and culture in the future?
Important Application Dates
May 15, 2021 – ICEC starts accepting applications for the 2021-2022 academic year.
The Application Form will be available for download from the ICEC website at: http://iraneducationalcenter.org/scholarship-application/
June 30, 2021 (Extended to July 30, 2021)– Final postmarked deadline in order to be considered for the 2021-2022 Scholarship Program. Application materials must be mailed in one packet to:
Iran Abrabi Scholarship Program
Iran Cultural and Educational Center
14644 Pinto Lane, Rockville, MD 20850-3536
Transcripts and letters of recommendation should not be sent separately. Incomplete, e-mailed, or faxed applications will not be considered.
August 15, 2021: Winners of the scholarship will be notified, and names will be posted on the ICEC web site.
Scholarship Conditions
The Iran Arbabi Scholarships may be used to supplement existing benefits from the student’s college or university, or from other foundations or organizations. Recipients may use the scholarship to cover the costs of tuition, fees, room, and board. Funds will be paid to selected candidates upon receiving transcripts and proof of course registration and enrollment. Financial need may be taken into consideration in awarding a scholarship. If the Scholarship Committee determines that financial need will be taken into consideration, the applicant may be required to provide financial information at a later time.
A recipient’s scholarship can be revoked if the student:
- fails to graduate from high school;
- fails to enroll in an institution of higher education in the year for which the scholarship was awarded;
- fails to comply with the rules, regulations or conditions of the institution the student attends; or
- receives the scholarship through error or contrary to law.
Retroactive payment of the scholarship is not permitted.