Czech NGO ROMEA offering Romani students another scholarship opportunity
Between 1 June and 4 July 2021, Romani students in the Czech Republic are able to apply for a scholarship from the ROMEA organization for the academic or school year 2021/2022. ROMEA has been providing the scholarship since 2016 to high school and technical college students, and last year expanded it to include university students as well.
Students attending secondary or higher education, whether as distance studies or in person, are eligible for the program, including for any level of Bachelor’s, Master’s or doctoral studies. In the 2021/2022 academic year ROMEA will support 90 Romani students with scholarships.
Those students who make it through the selection procedure will be entitled to a scholarship corresponding to where they are in their educational career. High school students will receive CZK 14 000 [EUR 550] per year, technical college students CZK 21 000 [EUR 830] per year and university students CZK 25 000 [EUR 980] annually.
“We are really looking forward to the new scholarship recipients and to those who will re-apply for the scholarship this year! Some students have been with us from the beginning of their high school careers, we are really proud of their achievements and their constant improvement. The application process involves assessing the students’ academic records as well as any socioeconomic situations that could endanger their studies. Students should also pay more attention to the optional appendices, they can score bonus points for their applications there. Detailed information about what the application entails as well as direct access to the online form is available on our scholarship website in the section called ‘For Students’. We will be glad to help you with any questions you have about completing the application form,” explains Veronika Hlaváčová, coordinator of the scholarship program.
The program offers much more than just financial aid during one’s studies. Through the program, Romani students participate in many additional educational activities, encounter other Romani students from all over the country and come into contact with professoinals from the fields they want to dedicate themselves to in future.
“The scholarship program includes the regular student gatherings called BARUVAS (‘We Are Growing’, in Romanes) where we emphasize how to build healthy self-confidence and motivate students with regard to their studies and self-development. We discuss current issues such as Romani identity, active citizenship, etc. We do our best to convey information to students from areas that that are frequently lacking in the Czech educational system, such as Romani history or the Romanes language. Our program also offers the opportunity for tutoring and mentoring,” describes Štefan Balog, the scholarship program manager.
“Students from both public and private schools can apply to the program, whether they are in distance learning or attend school in person daily, and there are no age limits on the scholarships either. Older people who are completing their educations can also apply, especially if this scholarship could represent important financial aid for them with respect to their family’s budget,” Balog says.
Last year more than 200 students applied to the scholarship program. This year program managers anticipate even more interest.
Students can submit their completed applications until 4 July 2021. At the beginning of April ROMEA also launched a fundraising campaign to support the scholarship program called “HATERS WILL NOT STOP US” (“Hejtři nás nezastavi“).
The finances raised by that campaign will be used to support scholarship students for the 2021/2022 academic year. You can help these students on the way to making their dreams come true by donating here.
