Educational Scholarships

A report by the National Institute of Statistics (2021) revealed that 15.3% of young people aged 18–24 had an extremely low level of education. These young individuals had not completed any form of formal or informal education. This educational gap affects both young men and women equally. However, the disparity is particularly stark between rural and urban areas, with rural youth being disproportionately affected.

Opportunities for success in life depend on access to resources, the ability to make the most of them, and personal factors such as motivation, determination, and aspirations. Today’s school-aged generation is at a critical stage in their development.

Through its Educational Scholarships program, the FARA Foundation aims to invest in human potential—supporting students and university attendees with a comprehensive package that includes financial aid, counseling and guidance, and opportunities for personal development. Continued education and the acquisition of professional skills significantly increase the chances of integration and long-term success.

In this section

Educational Scholarships

Jane Nicholson Scholarships

Named after FARA’s founder, the Jane Nicholson Scholarships are designed to encourage and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to continuing their education and pursuing qualifications in competitive and in-demand fields.

Lenovo Scholarships

Sharing the same vision, the Lenovo Scholarships focus on students who demonstrate a proactive attitude toward education. These students are consistently involved in school projects and show a strong passion for mathematics, computer science, technology, and science.

MiniMic Scholarships

The MiniMic story is a heartwarming one—proof that good deeds come full circle. The benefactor of the MiniMic Scholarships was once a student who received a scholarship that helped shape their educational journey. Now a successful adult with a generous heart, they are giving back by paving the way for ambitious students to achieve their dreams.

“Lenovo sees FARA as a key ally in the fight against school dropout and in promoting education. We share the same core values: care for children, the right to education, and social inclusion regardless of religion, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation. We believe that a better world starts with me, with you, with each of us—today.”
— Răzvan Bran, Lenovo

“FARA has over 20 years of experience supporting families and promoting school attendance in primary and secondary education, tackling poverty through education in disadvantaged communities.
We dream of breaking the cycle of poverty.
Together with Lenovo, we are funding and supporting students to pursue higher education and gain valuable skills and training—opening doors for a new generation.
FARA is committed to building a just society that serves the common good, grounded in values of love, justice, dignity, and respect. We passionately believe that every child has the right to education, and that this opportunity can bring lasting change and a brighter future for Romania’s youth.”
— Jane Nicholson

Second Edition – Academic Year 2024–2025

For the second edition of the Educational Scholarships program, 40 scholarships will be awarded as follows:

10 Excellence Scholarships for the top-performing recipients from the first edition (2023–2024)
30 New Scholarships open to eligible and motivated students interested in joining the program

Selection Process

The selection process is competitive and open to all eligible applicants from the following counties:

Ilfov
Giurgiu
Călărași
Ialomița
Constanța
Tulcea
Suceava
Vaslui

Program Overview

Beyond physical attendance at school, success depends on the ability to seize opportunities, acquire knowledge, apply it in practice, develop new skills, and maintain a mindset of continuous learning. Building professional relationships and having the courage to turn dreams into reality are also key.

Experiential learning and social interaction play a vital role in personal development, skill-building, and setting meaningful life goals.

Mission

Building a just society that serves the common good and promotes love, social justice, dignity, respect, and diversity.

Objectives

To support education and academic performance by offering a comprehensive support package (financial aid, counseling and guidance, personal development opportunities) to 40 young people from 8 counties.
To create a space for dialogue and interaction among scholarship recipients, encouraging the exchange of ideas, experiences, and discussions on topics that can shape their educational and professional paths.
To bring together a network of supporters—sponsors, professionals from the social, educational, and cultural sectors, opinion leaders, successful individuals, and entrepreneurs—who advocate for educational access for disadvantaged youth and who, together with the scholarship recipients, can drive meaningful change for the common good and social justice.

Application Process – Step-by-Step Overview

The scholarships will be awarded through an open competition, which includes the following stages:

Stage	Description	Timeline
Application Preparation and Submission	Applications can be submitted online, via email, or by postal mail.	May 27 – July 15, 2024
Application Review	Each application will be reviewed to ensure that all documents in the Applicant Package are complete and that eligibility criteria are met.	July 16 – July 31, 2024
Selection	Applications will be evaluated by a review panel using scoring rubric. Based on the scores, applicants will be ranked in descending order. Final decisions will be made by consensus and validated by the executive leadership.	August 1 – August 26, 2024
Decision and Notification	Each applicant will receive a personalized letter informing them of the outcome (accepted or not accepted), along with relevant feedback.	August 27 – August 30, 2024
Contract Signing	Selected applicants will sign the scholarship agreement.	September 2 – September 16, 2024
First Installment Payment	A payment of 1500 RON will be transferred to the applicant’s personal bank account upon receipt of the signed contract by FARA Foundation.	September 16 – September 30, 2024
Scholarship Recipients’ Meeting	A meeting will be organized with all scholarship recipients.	October 2024

Eligibility

The scholarships are open to high school and university students from disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrate a clear need for support, a strong interest in learning, and a commitment to shaping their own future. FARA Foundation encourages applicants to engage in a continuous learning process—from completing the Applicant Package to the end of the scholarship period.

If online application is not possible:

While online applications are preferred, if this is not feasible, please complete all required documents in the Applicant Package and send them by post no later than July 15, 2024, which is the final deadline for receiving applications.

Mailing addresses:

For applicants from Călărași, Constanța, Giurgiu, Ialomița, Ilfov, Tulcea:
FARA Foundation
Str. Anton Pann 6A, Popești-Leordeni, Ilfov County
Postal Code: 077160
FARA Foundation
Str. Cetății nr. 5, Suceava, Suceava County
Postal Code: 720028