Last updated: August 2026
Scholarships and financial aid in Qatar can cover anything from part of a student’s tuition to a broader package that includes tuition, textbooks, accommodation, transport, travel or a monthly allowance.
There is no single scholarship programme available to everyone. University merit awards, need-based financial aid and programmes for long-term residents each have different eligibility rules, benefits and application channels.
This guide explains the main routes available in 2026, who can apply and what students should check before accepting an offer.
Who provides scholarships and financial aid in Qatar?
The main sources of higher-education funding for expatriate and international students include:
- Scholarships offered directly by universities
- Need-based financial aid provided by universities
- The Qatar Scholarship Programme for Residents in Qatar
- Qatar Foundation financial aid and scholarships
- Support provided by charitable foundations and external sponsors
A scholarship is normally awarded for academic achievement, talent or another defined category. Financial aid is usually based on the student’s financial circumstances and may cover only part of the cost.
Students should read the terms carefully rather than assuming that every award includes tuition, accommodation and a monthly payment.
Qatar Scholarship Programme for Residents in Qatar
The Qatar Scholarship Programme for Residents in Qatar provides higher-education opportunities for young people who have lived and studied in Qatar for a significant period but may be unable to meet the full cost of university.
The programme is run by Education Above All Foundation’s Al Fakhoora programme in partnership with the General Directorate of Endowments and participating universities.
Who can apply?
The programme’s general criteria include:
- Being between 17 and 25 years old
- Holding legal residency in Qatar
- Having studied in Qatar for at least eight years
- Not currently receiving other educational support
- Securing admission to a participating university
- Choosing a degree aligned with Qatar’s current or expected labour-market needs
- Meeting the programme’s family-income threshold
Applicants with disabilities and orphans may receive additional consideration.
Meeting the basic conditions does not guarantee an award. The number of scholarships is limited, and shortlisted students may undergo a financial assessment, written task and selection activities.
Which universities participate?
The programme’s current partners include:
- University of Doha for Science and Technology
- Qatar Foundation universities
- Al Rayyan International University College
- Oryx Universal College with Liverpool John Moores University
- Qatar Finance and Business Academy
- Arkansas State University in Qatar
- City University Qatar in partnership with Ulster University
- Doha Institute for Graduate Studies
Available degrees and funding arrangements differ between participating institutions.
How to apply for the residents’ programme
Education Above All does not receive applications directly.
Students must first apply to and secure admission from a participating university. They should then follow the scholarship or financial-aid process provided by that institution.
Application deadlines follow each university’s own admissions calendar. Contact the university’s scholarship or financial-aid office early, as some institutions accept applications only from new students or students in their first years of study.
What does the residents’ scholarship cover?
The level of support depends on the partner institution, the student’s financial assessment and the funding available.
It should not be assumed that every recipient automatically receives full funding.
Partner universities may apply different support levels, income limits, academic requirements and rules concerning eligible degrees.
International Students Scholarship
Some universities offer scholarships for new international undergraduate applicants applying from outside Qatar.
A typical package may include:
- Exemption from tuition fees
- Exemption from textbook fees
- A monthly allowance of QAR 500
- Student housing, with two students per room
- Transport to and from the university
- An annual return ticket to the student’s home country
- Residence sponsorship through the university
Applicants are selected competitively and must meet the published admission and academic requirements.
Talent Scholarship
Talent scholarships are open to eligible non-Qatari undergraduate applicants, including residents and international applicants, who demonstrate recognised ability in areas such as:
- Scientific research
- Technology and innovation
- Literature
- Media
- Acting for male applicants
- Sport
Its benefits may include:
- Exemption from tuition fees
- Exemption from textbook fees
- A monthly allowance of QAR 1,000
- Admission to the requested programme when the applicant meets its minimum conditions, except for medicine and dentistry
International recipients may also receive housing, transport, travel and university residence sponsorship.
University financial aid
Scholarships are not the only source of support at universities in Qatar.
Many universities offer several types of need-based assistance for eligible undergraduate students, including:
- Monthly financial aid
- Emergency assistance
- Full or partial tuition assistance
- Full or partial university-housing assistance
- Full or partial transport assistance
- Tuition-payment deferral
- Externally funded financial-aid programmes
Eligibility depends on factors such as residency category, academic status, family income, existing scholarships and the type of support requested.
Non-Qatari students without scholarships may be eligible to apply for tuition or housing support, subject to the university’s financial and academic conditions.
Applications must be submitted during the announced periods through the university system. Applying does not guarantee approval.
University of Doha for Science and Technology Amiri Scholarship
The University of Doha for Science and Technology offers a competitive Amiri Scholarship to eligible high-achieving students living in Qatar and international students applying from overseas.
Benefits include:
- Full tuition exemption for a bachelor’s degree
- Textbook-fee exemption
- A monthly allowance
For international students, the package also includes:
- Accommodation and transport
- Health insurance
- Visa-processing costs
- One annual return economy-class ticket
Applicants must meet demanding academic, English-language, mathematics and extracurricular requirements.
For Fall 2026, applications opened on 8 February and closed on 31 May 2026. Students interested in a future intake should monitor the university’s next admissions and scholarship calendar.
Qatar Foundation financial aid
Students admitted to universities in Education City may also explore Qatar Foundation funding.
Qatar Foundation offers need-based, interest-free student loans. Repayment may be completed financially or, where approved, through work at participating organisations in Qatar after graduation.
Students generally need to create an account in Qatar Foundation’s financial-aid system and submit financial information for assessment.
Qatar Foundation also offers a highly competitive merit scholarship to eligible undergraduate students who have completed two semesters at an Education City university and achieved an outstanding cumulative grade-point average.
Admission to an Education City university and approval for Qatar Foundation financial aid are separate decisions.
Other external funding programmes
Universities in Qatar also work with charitable foundations and external sponsors.
These may include programmes supported by:
- Jassim and Hamad Bin Jassim Charitable Foundation
- NAMA Center
- Afif Charity
- Education Above All Foundation
- Other approved sponsors
These programmes may target specific nationalities, academic majors, income groups or stages of study. Some provide partial tuition assistance, while others may cover eligible fees up to a fixed limit.
Students should apply only through the university’s official financial-aid system and confirm whether the programme is accepting applications for the relevant semester.
Documents you may need
Required documents differ, but applicants may be asked for:
- A valid Qatar ID or passport
- Admission or unconditional-acceptance letter
- Secondary-school or university transcripts
- Certificate-equivalency documents, where required
- Standardised English or mathematics test results
- Recommendation letters
- A personal statement
- Evidence of academic, sporting or creative achievements
- Salary certificates for working family members
- Bank statements
- Rental documents
- Proof of family size and household expenses
- Evidence that the student is not receiving another scholarship
- Bank-account or IBAN information for allowances
Income-based applications often require more financial documentation than merit scholarships.
Tips for a stronger application
- Apply for university admission as early as possible.
- Read the eligibility rules before paying application or testing fees.
- Check whether the programme is for residents or international applicants.
- Confirm whether “resident” means anyone with a QID or only a more narrowly defined category.
- Prepare certified transcripts and test results before the application opens.
- Do not assume that admission guarantees financial support.
- Disclose any existing sponsorship, employer allowance or scholarship.
- Check whether the award covers tuition only or also books, housing and transport.
- Review the conditions for maintaining the scholarship.
- Keep copies of the application, uploaded documents and final award letter.
FAQs
Can expatriate residents receive scholarships in Qatar?
Yes. Options include the Qatar Scholarship Programme for Residents, university merit scholarships, university financial aid and externally funded programmes.
How much is the monthly scholarship allowance?
There is no standard amount. Some scholarships provide no monthly allowance, while others offer QAR 500, QAR 1,000 or a larger programme-specific payment.
Can a resident apply directly to Education Above All?
No. Applicants for the Qatar Scholarship Programme for Residents must apply through a participating university. Education Above All does not receive direct applications.
Does the residents’ programme provide a full scholarship?
Not automatically. Support varies by university, financial assessment and available funding.
Can I receive a scholarship and financial aid together?
It depends on the conditions of each programme. Many awards prohibit students from receiving another scholarship or educational sponsorship at the same time. Applicants must declare all existing support.
Do I need university admission before applying?
Many programmes require admission or an unconditional offer before the scholarship application can be completed. Others allow the admission and scholarship applications to be submitted together. Follow the procedure published for the specific award.
Are scholarships guaranteed for the full degree?
No. Students normally need to remain registered, complete a minimum number of credits, maintain the required academic performance and follow the scholarship conditions. Funding may be withdrawn if these requirements are not met.
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