Are you a refugee, immigrant or asylee hoping to advance your career opportunities? Are you new to the United States and looking to become retrained or recertified in a career you previously held?
We’re excited to announce a new scholarship program offered by the Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA) that’s focused on helping refugees and immigrants advance their career opportunities. As part of the Day 1 program, the scholarship provides financial assistance toward one of UW Professional & Continuing Education’s professional certificate programs or courses.
“We’re excited to partner with UW’s Professional & Continuing Education programs,” says Angel Taherazer, ReWA’s Day 1 coordinator. “UW offers a variety of opportunities that we hope will be very valuable for immigrants, refugees and asylees looking to thrive in their new home.”
THE CHALLENGE FOR MANY
Many new arrivals struggle to get their professional footing in the United States. “We’ve seen many refugees and immigrants with professional backgrounds and university educations who struggle to find comparable opportunities once they arrive in the U.S.,” says Taherazer.
“For people who worked professional jobs in their home countries, having a way to return to their career is empowering,” adds Taherazer.
ReWA and UW Professional & Continuing Education initiated a pilot program in January 2021 to assist new arrivals. To date, four students have received funding, and this scholarship will only expand that number. “We’re hoping to fund about 50 students this year,” says Taherazer.
In addition to providing financial assistance for UWPCE programs, Taherazer says that the Day 1 program will also provide short-term rental assistance, career coaching and case management services.
HOW TO QUALIFY
To qualify for a scholarship, you must be an immigrant, refugee or asylee currently living in King County, Washington. In addition, you must have a higher education or/university degree from your home country, have an English language proficiency at ESL Level 3 or above and meet certain household income standards.
To learn more and apply for the scholarship, visit the ReWA scholarship page and take the next step in your career today.