In August the Afghan Scholars Initiative finalized the process of incorporating as a 501 c 3, non-profit organization. Co-founder Lesley Nesbitt said, “This is a major milestone for the Afghan Scholars Initiative. With tax-exempt status those who have expressed interest in supporting our students can now also benefit from a tax deduction whenever they contribute. In order to support our current and future scholars through two years of boarding school and four years of college we will rely heavily on the donations of individuals. There is a direct correlation between our ability to raise funds, and the number of deserving Afghan students who will receive a first-rate education in U.S. schools.”
Because ASI commits to a six-year educational investment in each of its scholars, the support of participating institutions and individuals is vital. Since its inception ASI has relied heavily on participating boarding schools and their trustees to provide ASI students with room, board, and tuition. As ASI grows, one of the primary goals is to provide each scholar with supplementary financial support for travel costs, extra-curricular expenses, clothing, and school supplies.
With the first ASI scholars set to matriculate to U.S. colleges in 2011 we anticipate needing to raise additional funds to help defray the cost of each students’ four-year college tuition.
As ASI continues to grow we aspire to a time when we can select high school juniors each year with the knowledge that we have endowed funds to support them through a combined six years of high school and college education in the U.S. If ever there was a time to help ensure the long-term viability of these educational opportunities for Afghan students, that time is now.
Ways to get involved: