Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program 2026: Full Scholarships for Students to Study at Top US Universities
Every year, thousands of talented Egyptian students graduate from high school or university with the drive, the grades, and the ambition to compete on a global stage — but without a clear path to get there. Tuition fees at elite American universities can run anywhere from $55,000 to $80,000 per year, and that figure does not include housing, health insurance, books, or travel. For most Egyptian families, that number is simply out of reach, no matter how brilliant the student.
That is precisely the gap the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program was built to close.
Launched by Orascom Construction in the year 2000, the Onsi Sawiris Program was designed to invest company resources in educational programs that improve the communities in which it operates. Over two decades later, it has grown into one of the most prestigious and competitive fully funded scholarship opportunities available to Egyptian students, offering a direct path to undergraduate and master’s degrees at some of the most respected universities in the United States.
This article covers everything you need to know: what the scholarship includes, who qualifies, which universities are covered, what fields of study are funded, how the selection process works, and exactly how to apply before the deadline.
What Is the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program?
The scholarship is open to all Egyptian students seeking to pursue their degrees at prestigious universities in the United States, with the aim of bolstering Egypt’s economic competitiveness. Scholars are chosen based on merit, need, and character as demonstrated through academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and entrepreneurial initiative.
The program operates at two levels: undergraduate scholarships for high school students heading into a bachelor’s degree program, and graduate scholarships for working professionals pursuing a master’s degree. Both tracks are fully funded, meaning the scholarship is not a partial grant or a loan — it covers the actual cost of studying at a world-class American university from start to finish.
Since 2000, the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program has financed the educational dreams of 96 extraordinary students. These are not just scholarship statistics. Each of those 96 individuals went through one of the most selective, merit-driven evaluation processes in Egyptian private sector education — and came out the other side with a degree from Harvard, Stanford, MIT, the University of Chicago, or the University of Pennsylvania.
This program is cited as an example in Egypt of private sector participation in educational programs on a sustainable basis, with the objective of helping the academic development and character building of young Egyptians, giving them the tools to advance their careers and thereby helping the communities in which they live.
Scholarship Benefits: What Does It Actually Cover?
One of the most important things to understand about this opportunity is that “fully funded” is not a marketing phrase — it is a literal description of what scholars receive. The program covers every major cost associated with studying abroad at an elite US university.
Full tuition coverage includes travel expenses, a living allowance, books and computer, health insurance, and other benefits.
Breaking that down further, here is what the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship covers:
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Tuition | Covers 100% of university tuition fees for the duration of the degree program |
| Living Allowance | Monthly stipend to cover accommodation and daily living expenses in the US |
| Travel Expenses | Return flights and travel costs between Egypt and the US |
| Health Insurance | Comprehensive health coverage for the full period of study |
| Books and Computer | Academic materials and equipment needed for coursework |
| Internship Opportunity | Optional internship position within Orascom Construction |
Scholarship recipients will also be given the option of an internship position within the company. Scholarship Roar This is not a throwaway line. An internship inside one of Egypt’s largest and most internationally active construction conglomerates is a meaningful career advantage — particularly for engineering and business students who want hands-on industry exposure before graduating.
The combination of a world-class degree, full financial coverage, and a real-world internship option makes this one of the most comprehensive private sector scholarship programs operating in the Arab world.
Approved Universities: Where You Can Study
This is one of the most distinctive features of the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program and one that every applicant must understand clearly. The scholarship is only granted to selected students pursuing their bachelor’s degree at one of the following United States universities: University of Chicago, Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
That list is not accidental. These five institutions consistently rank among the top ten universities in the world. Getting into any one of them is competitive even without a scholarship — which is part of what makes the Onsi Sawiris program so significant. The scholarship does not just pay your fees at any accredited institution; it places you at the very top tier of American higher education.
Applicants are encouraged to visit the endorsed universities’ websites to decide on the desirable program within the approved fields of study. Nominated candidates will receive support from scholarship advisors in making their university applications through Amideast, the implementing partner for the program. However, it is important to understand that nomination by the scholarship committee does not automatically guarantee admission to these universities. Admission decisions are made independently by each university, and the scholarship award is only confirmed once a university acceptance letter is received.
Fields of Study: What You Can Study
The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program funds specific academic fields — and it is deliberate about which ones. The focus is on disciplines that directly contribute to Egypt’s economic development and long-term competitiveness.
Undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree) Fields
Funded fields for the undergraduate program include Engineering, Economics, Finance, and Management. Computer engineering and computer science related fields are not funded by the scholarship.
For engineering specifically, preference is given to fields that contribute to sustainable development, such as civil engineering, environmental engineering, energy engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, water engineering, and sustainability.
This means an Egyptian student who wants to study civil engineering at Stanford or environmental engineering at MIT has an aligned pathway through this scholarship. A student who wants to study computer science, on the other hand, is not eligible — regardless of how strong their application is.
Graduate (Master’s Degree) Fields
The graduate scholarship covers Engineering and Business Administration (MBA). Computer engineering and computer science related fields are not funded at the graduate level either.
The engineering preference at the master’s level mirrors the undergraduate track: for engineering programs, preference is given to fields that contribute to sustainable development, such as civil engineering, environmental engineering, energy engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, water engineering, and sustainability.
This dual focus on engineering and business at the graduate level reflects a strategic vision: equip Egypt’s professionals with advanced technical and managerial skills that can be deployed in sectors like infrastructure, construction, energy, and manufacturing — exactly the sectors that Orascom Construction itself operates in.
Undergraduate Scholarship: Eligibility Requirements
If you are a high school student planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the US, here is every eligibility requirement you need to meet.
Academic Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or 90% or an equivalent score in national or international high school degrees. Both students completing grade 11 and students completing grade 12 by the application deadline of July 31, 2026 are eligible to apply, provided they plan to start their first year of bachelor studies as freshmen.
For applicants from non-standard school systems:
- IGCSE students must submit three A-Level subjects with a cumulative score equivalent to at least 90% or a 4.0 GPA
- French Baccalaureate students are required to score at least 14
- German system students must score at least 1.6 GPA or higher on a 5.0 scale
English Proficiency
Proof of English proficiency is required: either a TOEFL iBT test with a minimum total score of 100 or an IELTS Academic test with a minimum overall score of 7.5. Test score reports must be submitted within the exam validity period of two years from the exam date.
A TOEFL score of 100 and an IELTS score of 7.5 are both highly competitive benchmarks. These are not beginner thresholds — they reflect near-native English proficiency. Students who have not yet sat for either exam should begin preparation early and allow time for at least one retake if needed.
Standardised Testing
A minimum SAT I score of 1450, taken within two years, or a minimum ACT score of 32, taken within two years, is required.
An SAT score of 1450 puts a student in approximately the 96th percentile globally. An ACT score of 32 is similarly competitive. Both exams reward sustained preparation, and students should plan to dedicate several months to test prep before sitting.
Nationality and Residency
Applicants must be Egyptian nationals who are residents of Egypt. Preference will not be given to dual nationality applicants. Preference will be given to candidates who have not lived, worked, or studied abroad for more than two years.
There is also an age cap: for the undergraduate scholarship, applicants should not exceed 19 years old.
Return Commitment
One requirement that every prospective applicant must take seriously is the return obligation. Applicants must be committed to returning to Egypt for two years directly after the successful completion of their bachelor’s degree. This is not optional fine print — it is a core condition of the scholarship and reflects the program’s foundational purpose: to build Egyptian human capital and bring it back home.
Graduate Scholarship: Eligibility Requirements
For Egyptian professionals looking to pursue a fully funded master’s degree in the United States — whether an MBA or an advanced engineering degree — the graduate track has its own set of requirements.
Academic Requirements
Graduate applicants must have a bachelor’s degree GPA of 3.5 or Very Good or above (cumulative grade).
English Proficiency
The same TOEFL and IELTS benchmarks apply at the graduate level: a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 or a minimum IELTS Academic score of 7.5, both within a two-year validity window.
Graduate Admissions Tests
For applicants applying to the Master of Business Administration, a minimum GMAT test score of 650 or a GMAT Focus test score of 595 (taken within five years) or a minimum overall GRE test score of 315 with an Analytical Writing score of 4.5 is required. For applicants applying to the Master of Engineering, a minimum overall GRE test score of 315 with an Analytical Writing score of 4.5 is required.
Submitting GRE or GMAT/GMAT Focus test scores is a requirement by the scholarship program, even if the admission requirements for any of the programs that fall under the scholarship are test-optional. This is a critical distinction — just because a university has moved to test-optional admissions does not mean the scholarship itself has waived this requirement.
Work Experience
Graduate applicants must have a minimum of three years of working experience. This means the graduate track is not designed for fresh university graduates. It is intended for mid-career professionals who have built practical foundations in their field and are now ready to invest in advanced academic credentials.
Military Service (Male Applicants)
Male applicants must provide proof of military service completion, exemption, or postponement. This is a mandatory document and its absence will disqualify an otherwise strong application.
Return Commitment
Just as with the undergraduate program, graduate applicants must be committed to returning to Egypt for two years directly after completing their master’s degree.
Eligibility Exclusions
Candidates who already possess a master’s degree from a foreign university, or an Egyptian master’s degree in the same field they are applying for, will not be eligible. However, candidates with an Egyptian master’s degree in a technical field different from the one they are applying for will be considered.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Undergraduate vs. Graduate Requirements
| Requirement | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Egyptian national, resident in Egypt | Egyptian national, resident in Egypt |
| GPA | 3.5 / 90% (high school) | 3.5 / Very Good (university) |
| English Test | TOEFL iBT 100+ or IELTS 7.5+ | TOEFL iBT 100+ or IELTS 7.5+ |
| Standardised Test | SAT 1450+ or ACT 32+ | GRE 315+ (Engineering) / GMAT 650+ or GRE 315+ (MBA) |
| Work Experience | Not required | Minimum 3 years |
| Age Limit | Maximum 19 years | Not specified |
| Return Obligation | 2 years after bachelor’s completion | 2 years after master’s completion |
| Military Proof (male) | Not required | Required |
| Fields of Study | Engineering, Economics, Finance, Management | Engineering, MBA |
Required Documents for Application
Having the right documents ready before you start your application is essential. Incomplete applications are automatically disqualified.
Undergraduate Applicants Must Submit:
- Completed Onsi Sawiris Scholarship undergraduate application form
- Most recent resume
- Copy of SAT I or ACT test scores
- Copy of TOEFL iBT or IELTS score report
- Copy of latest transcripts (grades 9, 10, and 11)
- Copy of grade 12 certificate or Thanaweyya Amma certificate (if available; grade 11 students only need latest transcripts)
- Two recommendation letters from individuals who can evaluate academic performance
- Proof of extracurricular activities
Graduate Applicants Must Submit:
- Completed Onsi Sawiris Scholarship graduate application form
- Most recent resume
- Copy of GRE or GMAT/GMAT Focus test scores
- Copy of TOEFL iBT or IELTS score report
- Copy of bachelor’s degree transcripts
- Copy of bachelor’s degree graduation certificate
- Two recommendation letters — one academic, one professional
- Proof of military service completion, exemption, or postponement (male applicants only)
- Proof of extracurricular activities
For the undergraduate scholarship, two reference letters are required. For the graduate scholarship, one academic reference letter and one professional reference letter from a place of work (current or former) are required. Recommendation letters should be recent and addressed to the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program.
What Counts as Extracurricular Activities?
Many applicants wonder what exactly qualifies as an extracurricular activity for this scholarship. The answer is broader than most people assume.
All types of extracurricular activities are taken into consideration. These activities could be cultural activities, educational activities, sports, or volunteering work such as school clubs, student activities, courses, competitions, awards, internships, etc. Students are encouraged to include all activities or courses in their scholarship applications and to upload supporting documents such as certificates or official letters.
This means that a student who represented their school in a science competition, led a student council, volunteered with a community NGO, or completed a summer coding bootcamp all have relevant activities to document. The key is not the prestige of the activity but the evidence of initiative, leadership, and genuine engagement beyond academics.
How the Selection Process Works
Understanding the selection timeline is critical for planning your application. The process is multi-stage and spans nearly a full year from application submission to the award ceremony.
The selection and award timeline follows this structure: the deadline for submitting online applications with all supporting documents is July 31, 2026. From August through September 2026, semi-finalists are selected and personal interviews are conducted at Orascom Construction. In September 2026, nominated applicants are notified. October 2026 is the program orientation for nominated recipients. From October 2026 through April or May 2027, the US university applications stage takes place with Amideast’s advising support and the university placement stage. July 2027 is the award ceremony at Orascom Construction for awarded recipients.
This timeline reveals something important: being nominated by the scholarship committee in September 2026 is not the finish line. Nominated students then go through the actual university application process — with professional support from Amideast advisors — and the scholarship is only formally awarded after a university acceptance is secured. This two-step process means applicants must be genuinely competitive for admission to Harvard, Stanford, MIT, University of Chicago, or University of Pennsylvania, not just competitive within the scholarship pool.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Process
The application for the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship is submitted online through the Amideast platform. Here is a clear breakdown of how the process works:
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Before investing time in the application, confirm that you meet all the academic, nationality, residency, age, and test score requirements for the track you are applying to — undergraduate or graduate.
Step 2: Create an account on the Amideast website. The Amideast platform is the official application portal for the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship. You will need to create a personal account before you can access the application form.
Step 3: Fill in all personal and educational details. The application will ask for detailed personal information, your academic history, and educational background. Be thorough and accurate.
Step 4: Complete the Statement of Purpose. The Statement of Purpose section asks two questions: first, considering personal, local, and national concerns as they relate to your future, how would you achieve success on these different levels by attending the university you wish to apply for; and second, additional context about your goals and motivations. Scholarship Roar This section is not a formality — it is where the committee evaluates your clarity of purpose and your genuine connection to Egypt’s development.
Step 5: Upload all required documents. Every required document must be uploaded before the July 31 deadline. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted through the contact information listed in their application. Due to the large number of applications, the program is unable to provide application status updates or feedback to unsuccessful or ineligible applicants.
Step 6: Wait for shortlisting communications. If you are shortlisted, you will be contacted and invited to personal interviews at Orascom Construction during August and September 2026.
Step 7: Complete university applications with Amideast support. Nominated candidates will receive advising support from Amideast in preparing and submitting applications to the endorsed US universities.
Step 8: Receive your award after university acceptance. Once a nominated student secures a university acceptance letter from one of the five approved institutions, the scholarship award is formally confirmed.
For email inquiries about the scholarship, applicants can contact Amideast at OSSP@amideast.org or by calling 19263 within Egypt.
The Statement of Purpose: What Evaluators Actually Look For
The Statement of Purpose is perhaps the most underestimated part of the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship application. With standardised test scores, GPA thresholds, and document requirements, many applicants assume the selection comes down purely to numbers. It does not.
The scholarship committee is looking for students who have thought seriously about their place in Egypt’s future. Strong applications will typically demonstrate:
- A clear connection between the applicant’s chosen field of study and Egypt’s economic or developmental needs
- Evidence that the two-year return commitment is not just accepted but genuinely embraced
- A realistic understanding of what a degree from Stanford or Harvard will make possible when applied back in Egypt
- Entrepreneurial thinking — not just academic ambition, but an orientation toward solving problems and building things
Generic statements about wanting to “make Egypt proud” or “give back to my community” without substance will not differentiate a candidate. What evaluators want to see is specificity: What problem do you want to work on? How does this particular degree, at this particular university, equip you to do that? What is your concrete plan for the two years after you return?
Why the Return Obligation Matters
Some applicants view the two-year return commitment as a restriction. It is more accurately understood as the entire philosophy of the program in a single clause.
The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship was not built to fund brain drain. It was built on the opposite premise: that Egypt’s most talented young people can access world-class education and then bring those skills, networks, and perspectives back home. The scholarship invests in the premise that an Egyptian engineer who studies at MIT and returns to work in Egypt for two years creates more value for the country than one who stays abroad indefinitely.
This return condition is binding. Candidates who are unwilling to make this commitment should not apply. For those who genuinely intend to build their careers within Egypt — whether in business, engineering, finance, or management — it is not a burden. It is an alignment.
Tips to Strengthen Your Application
If you are planning to apply for the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship, here are practical steps that will meaningfully improve your chances.
Start your standardised tests early. The SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and IELTS all require sustained preparation. Do not plan to sit for these tests a month before the deadline. Give yourself at least six months of structured preparation, and budget for the possibility of one retake.
Document everything. Every extracurricular activity you have ever been involved in — no matter how minor it might seem — should be documented with a certificate, letter, or official confirmation. The scholarship evaluators cannot credit what they cannot see.
Choose your recommenders strategically. A recommendation letter from a teacher or professor who knows your work deeply will always outperform a letter from a well-known name who barely knows you. For the graduate program, your professional reference should come from someone who has seen your work performance directly.
Be specific in your Statement of Purpose. Name the exact engineering subdiscipline or business field you want to specialize in. Name the specific programmes at the universities you are applying to. Show that you have researched the institution, the programme, and how it fits your goals.
Align your field choice with your background. The scholarship funds engineering, economics, finance, and management. If your academic background does not naturally connect to one of these fields, explain clearly why you are making this transition and what makes you a competitive candidate for it.
For graduate applicants: demonstrate impact in your work experience. Three years of working experience is the minimum, but what matters is what you did during those years. Promotions, projects, measurable outcomes, and leadership responsibilities all tell a stronger story than time served.
The Broader Context: Private Sector Education Investment in Egypt
The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program sits within a larger picture of private sector investment in Egyptian higher education — one that is increasingly relevant as Egypt works to diversify its economy, develop its infrastructure, and compete for skilled talent in a globalising world.
The program was established to exemplify how private sector contributions can drive sustainable development by nurturing young Egyptian talent and providing opportunities for students to pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees at some of the most prestigious universities in the United States, offering a pathway to personal and professional growth.
Egypt’s economy has significant demand for skilled engineers — particularly in civil, environmental, and energy engineering — and for professionals with advanced business training in finance and management. Sending scholars to study at MIT, Stanford, and Harvard and bringing them back is a long-term bet on the compound value that world-class training creates when it returns home.
The 96 scholars funded since the year 2000 represent a cohort of professionals who received their training at the most competitive academic environments on earth. Many of them are now in senior roles across Egypt’s public and private sectors — a return on investment that extends far beyond tuition fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I hold dual nationality? You can apply, but preference will not be given to dual nationality applicants. Egyptian nationals who hold only Egyptian citizenship and are resident in Egypt are the program’s primary target group.
Can I apply if I already have a master’s degree? Candidates who already have one master’s degree in the field of study they are applying for will not be considered. However, if you hold an Egyptian master’s degree in a different technical field from the one you are applying for, you may still be eligible.
What happens if I am nominated but not accepted by any university? Nomination means the scholarship committee has selected you as a candidate, but being nominated for the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program does not guarantee acceptance into a university. The scholarship award is only confirmed after a university acceptance letter is received.
Can I apply for a university not on the approved list? No. The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program is only granted to the list of endorsed universities. If you are nominated, you will only receive advisory support for applications to the five approved institutions: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania.
Is the application deadline strict? The application deadline is July 31, 2026. No late submissions are accepted after the application deadline and there are no exceptions to that rule.
What is the age limit for undergraduate applicants? For the undergraduate scholarship, applicants should not exceed 19 years old.
Can I submit my application and send missing documents later? No. Applications missing any required documents or test scores are automatically disqualified and will not be considered in the scholarship screening phase. Everything must be submitted by July 31, 2026.
Key Dates at a Glance
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Deadline | July 31, 2026 |
| Semi-finalist Selection and Interviews | August – September 2026 |
| Nomination Notifications | September 2026 |
| Program Orientation | October 2026 |
| US University Applications Stage | October 2026 – April/May 2027 |
| Award Ceremony | July 2027 |
Final Thoughts
The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program is not the easiest scholarship to win. The academic benchmarks are high, the standardised test requirements are competitive, and the pool of applicants includes some of the strongest students in Egypt. The approved universities — Harvard, Stanford, MIT, the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania — are among the most selective institutions in the world.
But the scholarship is also not designed to be inaccessible. It is designed to be merit-based. If you are an Egyptian student with strong grades, genuine curiosity, demonstrated initiative outside the classroom, and a real vision for what you want to build in Egypt after your studies, this program was built for exactly you.
The deadline is July 31, 2026. The universities are among the best in the world. The scholarship covers everything. The only question is whether you are going to apply.
