Limited Access to Higher Education

Most refugees around the world do not have access to higher education. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, (UNHCR) reports that only about 9% are enrolled in tertiary education, even though there are more international efforts to support education for stability and self-reliance. This low number is mainly due to ongoing structural and financial barriers, including limited legal status, interrupted pre-tertiary schooling, and restricted access to national education systems.

Canada’s Student Refugee Program as a Dual Pathway

Canada’s Student Refugee Program (SRP) offers a unique and lasting way to address this problem. Run by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), the SRP gives refugee students access to higher secondary education and permanent resettlement. Unlike most scholarships that only pay for tuition, the SRP also includes resettlement, housing, and peer support, helping students rebuild their lives as they study at university.

Institutional Structure

The Student Refugee Program is run through a partnership between the WUSC, UNHCR, and the Government of Canada. WUSC manages the SRP across the country and serves as a Sponsorship Agreement Holder in Canada’s refugee resettlement system. WUSC coordinates the program, works with federal partners, and supports campuses that take part in the program.

UNHCR’s Role

UNHCR’s main role in the SRP is to determine the refugee status. To be eligible, students must be officially recognized as refugees by UNHCR or by the protection system of their host country. While the SRP often highlights WUSC’s role in choosing students, UNHCR’s recognition is a key requirement, which connects the program to the wider international refugee protection system.

Government and University Participation in Resettlement

The Government of Canada, through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), helps with resettlement by giving permanent resident status to selected students when they arrive. Universities across Canada welcome these students and offer the academic and social support they need to settle in. Together, these institutions create a three-tiered structure that lets the SRP act as both an education pathway and a lasting resettlement solution.

Awareness about the Student Refugee Program

Most individuals learn about the Student Refugee Program through information shared by WUSC partners, UNHCR networks, and the SRP’s public platforms. Refugee youth usually hear about the program from education organizations in refugee-hosting countries, from peers, or from online resources that show what higher education options are available to displaced students.

Eligibility Criteria and Academic Readiness

To qualify for the SRP, applicants need to meet certain academic and legal requirements. They must be officially recognized as refugees, have finished secondary school, show academic aptitude, and be able to succeed in a Canadian higher education setting. Age and education background are also of importance, as the program is meant for students who are ready to move into university-level study.

Challenges in Program Implementation

Though the program has made a difference to many people’s lives, the SRP still faces challenges. The Global Compact on Refugees notes that students can struggle to adjust to a new academic environment, especially if they are studying in a language that is not their own. Administrative issues, like paperwork and exit procedures, can delay students’ arrival and sometimes even push back the start of their studies. The program also deals with sustainability issues, such as volunteers leaving, and broader social challenges, like negative views of refugees and the need to set realistic expectations for integration.

Structural Constraints on Program Expansion

Every year, the SRP helps over 150 refugee students enroll and resettle at Canadian institutions. This small number does not stem from low demand but can be attributed to how the program is set up. Since the SRP combines education, permanent resettlement, and first-year sponsorship, it requires significant funding on a per-student-basis, as well as long-term commitment from institutions, and close coordination between administrators, campuses, volunteers, and government partners.

Campus Sponsorship Models Across Canada

UNHCR and its partners stress the need to create more higher education options for refugees, but programs that combine education with lasting resettlement are expensive and hard to run. WUSC’s goals for 2030 show a desire to increase access, but the SRP indicates that models relying on campus sponsorship cannot grow rapidly. This highlights a key issue in refugee education policy: there exists a clear gap between what is needed globally and what intensive-support programs can realistically provide.

Varying Approaches by Participating Universities

The Student Refugee Program uses a decentralized campus sponsorship model. While the World University Service of Canada runs the program nationally, each participating college or university sponsors students locally. Universities cover the students’ first-year costs, which usually comes from community fundraising, revenues the university receives from tuition fees, the and the core university budget. This setup makes refugee sponsorship part of campus life and ensures that students have both financial help and community support when they arrive.

Each campus runs sponsorship differently. regarding funding, housing, mentorship, and volunteer involvement affect how students experience the program. Some universities offer ample peer mentorship and staff support, while others depend more on student volunteers. This flexibility lets the SRP work in various settings, but it also means support can vary depending on local resources and organization.

A Personal Story

The results of campus-based sponsorship can be seen in the stories of former SRP students. For example, Alfred Orono Orono, who took part in the program, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology at the University of Alberta. After escaping forced recruitment as a child and living in refugee camps, Alfred was sponsored by students at his university through the SRP. He has said that getting higher education and permanent resettlement helped him rebuild his life and commit his lifepath to human rights work. His story exemplifies how campus sponsorship can turn institutional support into lasting personal success through education and integration.