Illinois State is one of 33 colleges, universities and organizations across the globe offering academic support to Syrian students and scholars threatened by that nation’s unrest. The help is through the Institute of International Education (IIE), which has committed more than $1.3 million in emergency assistance.

The IIE Syria Consortium for Higher Education in Crisis has been formed as a partnership between IIE, the Syrian economic and social development organization Jusoor, and the Illinois Institute of Technology. Members are based in the United States, Canada, France, Hungary, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Scholarships for Syrian students have been pledged by members, who will serve as host campuses for professors and senior scholars. Illinois State is offering partial tuition waivers for up to five Syrian undergraduate students who may wish to apply to the University.

“Through our participation in this program, we continue to show our support of Illinois State’s advancing global education efforts in the midst of emergency situations and crisis,” Assistant Provost Rita Bailey said. “By joining other institutional partners in this initiative, we are part of a global action that will have local impact and a local action that can have global impact. We are very happy to be able to support these students in their time of need.”