What is the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program?

Sponsored by the Department of State’s U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program offers undergraduate and graduate scholarships for accomplished students who represent the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s cultural and geographic diversity. The program aims to serve students from socioeconomically underserved backgrounds who demonstrate strong leadership potential but lack the means to obtain an American-style education.

The Tomorrow’s Leaders program partners with prominent U.S.-accredited universities in the MENA region to build a diverse and dynamic network of future changemakers. Through the high-quality education provided by our partner institutions—the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University, and the American University in Cairo—program participants are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills for leadership at local, regional, and national levels.

Who sponsors the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program?

The Tomorrow’s Leaders Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) with funding provided by the U.S. Government. FHI 360, a nonprofit human development organization, is the cooperating agency that administers the outreach and application processes on behalf of MEPI.

Where do Tomorrow’s Leaders study?

The American University of Beirut (AUB)
The American University in Cairo (AUC)
The Lebanese American University (LAU)

Can I choose which university to attend?

All applicants must be willing to attend any of the three Tomorrow’s Leaders partner universities. While students will have the opportunity to indicate their preferred university, final admission decisions will be made based on each university’s admission requirements and candidate selections.

What fields of study can Tomorrow’s Leaders Undergraduate and Graduate students apply to?

Students can find more information about the programs of study available at each of the participating universities here.

Please note: medical school is not an eligible program of study

What does the program cover?

• Tuition and enrollment fees (for a maximum period of four academic years for undergraduate students and two academic years for graduate students)
• University health insurance
• Entrance visa and residency permit fees
• Student housing
• Monthly living stipend when participating in TL activities
• Textbook allowance
• Laptop (for use for the duration of the program)
• Two round-trip tickets to home country, territory, or place of residence per year
• Civic leadership and career-oriented workshops
• Internship opportunities
• Faculty mentorship and guidance
• An opportunity to study at a university in the United States (undergraduate students only)
• An opportunity to participate in graduate assistantships or research assistantships (graduate students only)

Does the program send Tomorrow’s Leaders to the United States?

Tomorrow’s Leaders undergraduate students may be eligible to apply for a semester abroad in the United States.

When and how will I know if I am selected for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program?

Shortlisted candidates will be notified by the beginning of January 2025 and scheduled for interviews in January 2025. Final selections will begin being notified in May 2025 and continue on a rolling basis until all openings are filled.

Eligibility

Which countries/territories of origin are eligible for the Tomorrow’s Leader Program?

Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen.

If I graduated from high school in 2021, 2022, or 2023, am I eligible to apply to the undergraduate program?

Only applicants who are current high school seniors or who graduated from high school in 2024 are eligible to apply for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Undergraduate Program. Applicants from Iraq, Libya, Syria, the West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen who graduated from high school in 2023 are also eligible to apply. Those who graduated in 2022 or earlier are not eligible to apply.

There are no graduation year requirements for applicants to the Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program.

Can current undergraduate students apply for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Undergraduate Program?

University partners review these situations on a case-by-case basis. If you decide to apply, please include copies of any undergraduate transcripts you have to date. Please also include information about why you want to make this transition in your personal statement.

I do not have a valid passport. Can I apply with my national identification card (ID)?

Yes, you can submit your online application using your national ID card. If you are shortlisted, you will be advised to apply for a passport.

If my family has refugee status, can I still apply?

Yes, you can apply with proof of citizenship from one of the twelve countries/territories.

I am a dual citizen of the U.S. and another country/territory. Am I eligible to apply?

No. U.S. citizens and U.S. legal permanent residents are not eligible to apply.

I am a citizen of one of the eligible countries/territories, but I am currently a permanent resident in another country/territory. Am I eligible to apply?

Yes, you are eligible if you are not a legal permanent resident of the United States.

I am a Palestinian residing in the West Bank or Gaza with Jordanian, Egyptian, or other citizenship documents, am I still eligible to apply to the program?

Yes. Palestinian applicants living in the West Bank or Gaza should apply under West Bank/Gaza even if they have a passport from a different country.

What is the minimum GPA/exit exam score to be eligible?

The Tomorrow’s Leaders Program follows the standards set by our partner universities for admission criteria. Generally, applicants should have an 80% or better across their academic history. Tomorrow’s Leaders applicants are evaluated for selection by several criteria, including academic history, English language proficiency, leadership potential, and socioeconomic disadvantage.

My grades are low, but my English and extracurriculars are good. Will my application be considered?

All completed applications will be considered, however students must meet the admission requirements of our partner universities. Generally speaking, you should have passing grades (80% or better) in whatever grading system your school uses. If you feel that your application might be weaker in one area, then we suggest that you show how you are stronger in other areas. You may also want to address, as a part of your personal statement, why your grades were low and what you will do differently if you are accepted into the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program.

Do I need to maintain a specific grade point average (GPA) during my studies?

Yes, Tomorrow’s Leaders students are expected to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 0 – 4.0 scale) throughout their years of study to remain in good standing.

Application

When is the application period for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program?

Applications for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program Academic Year 2025–2026 will open on August 30, 2024. The deadline to submit the application is November 29, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST.

What is required to complete my application?

A complete application will include:

• All applicable sections of the application
• Household financial details, such as head of household income.
• Personal statement that allows the student to select one of three prompts to complete 500 words or upload a 5- to 6-minute video
• Social Responsibility Essay, with a 500-word limit response
• Official transcripts:
  • If applying for the Undergraduate program, transcripts for grades 10 and 11 (and 12 when available) of your secondary school and your graduation certificate/diploma. An unofficial translation of these documents should be provided if they are not in English.
  • If applying for the Graduate program transcripts from your undergraduate studies and graduation certificate/degree. An unofficial translation of these documents should be provided if they are not in English.
• Documentation of extracurricular and/or volunteer activities
• Results of a brief online English assessment completed when filling out the application. Please use the same email address to register for the English exam as you use for your Tomorrow’s Leaders log in.
• Two recommendations will be required. Recommenders will be sent requests automatically through the application system. Please have the email addresses, if available, of your recommenders available when filling out the application.

If your application is selected to move forward to the next round you will additionally need to provide the following:

• English proficiency results from TOEFL or IELTS, which can be submitted after application submission but no later than March 10, 2025.
• SAT I or SAT II score sheet (required for select majors and students who attend American-style high schools) to be submitted no later than March 15, 2025.

How can I upload documents to my application?

All documents can be uploaded to our online application system. If you have trouble uploading your documents to the online application system, please e-mail [email protected].

Do I need to submit my school transcripts or academic records?

Students who graduated from high school in 2024 must upload their official transcripts from grades 10, 11, and 12 through the online application. Students who are currently in their 12th year of high school must upload their official transcripts from grades 10 and 11. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to submit their grade 12 transcripts as soon as they are available. Students applying for Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program must submit their undergraduate transcripts, but are not required to submit their high school transcripts.

Do I need to translate my application documents into English if they are written in Arabic or another language?

Yes, you will need to submit English translations of your documents, along with the original versions, if they are in a language other than English.

Official translations are preferred but not required. Make sure that all translated information submitted is accurate and true. Misrepresentation of any information on your application will result in disqualification.

Who can complete the recommendation form?

The best person to provide a recommendation is someone who knows your academic history and/or your extra-curricular engagement. They should have interacted with you significantly and should be able to share about your character. Teachers, school administrators, and coaches are examples of appropriate recommenders. Supervisors of volunteer or community work may also provide recommendations. At least one recommendation must come from an academic reference. Friends and family members may not serve as recommenders. Strong leadership potential and academic performance are important selection criteria for the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program, and the recommender should provide a positive endorsement that enables the admissions committee to better understand the applicant’s full personality and character. The recommendation form can play a crucial role in supporting your application. Make sure your recommenders know they will be receiving an email from [email protected].

How will my recommender be able to fill out my letter of recommendation?

Your recommenders will need to fill out an online form, which will be sent to them after you provide their email addresses in the “Letters of Recommendation” section of the application.

In the “Letters of Recommendation” section of the application, you will need to enter each recommender’s email address. After you enter the email addresses and select “Save and Next,” they will receive an email from [email protected] with a link for them to complete an online recommendation form. Please note that two recommendations are required. There is an option for recommenders to fill out a printable form that you may upload to the application. This option is available only for those recommenders who do not have access to the internet or who are unable to complete the form that is emailed to them through the application. This is not our preferred method of receiving recommendations.

What do I do if I am unable to provide an email address for my recommender?

There is an option for recommenders to fill out a printable form that you may upload to the application. Instructions for submitting the downloadable recommendation form are linked in the “Letters of Recommendation” section of the application. This option is available only for those recommenders who do not have access to the internet or who are unable to complete the form that is emailed to them through the application. This is not our preferred method of receiving recommendations. If you need to use the downloadable form, please download and print the form, ask the recommender to complete the form, and then upload the form using the upload button next to that recommender’s name in the “Letters of Recommendation” section of the application. If you do not have access to a scanner, you may upload a photo taken with your phone or other device.

What financial documents are required?

Financial documents are not required upon submission of the application, but they may be requested if the applicant moves on to the interview stage of the selection process.

In addition to the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program application, do I need to fill out a separate application to AUB, AUC, or LAU?

Applicants to the Tomorrow’s Leaders Undergraduate Program do not need to submit a separate application to the American University of Beirut (AUB), the American University in Cairo (AUC), or the Lebanese American University (LAU).

Applicants to the Tomorrow’s Leaders Graduate Program are required to apply to their preferred degree program(s) at AUB and AUC separately, in addition to applying to the Tomorrow’s Leaders application. You are not required to complete a separate application for LAU.

AUB graduate application

AUC graduate application

What happens after I submit my application? How will my application be reviewed?

After your application is submitted, your application will be reviewed for initial English proficiency, academic achievement, socioeconomic profile as well as leadership experience and potential. Shortlisted candidates will be notified at the beginning of January 2025 to attend online interviews in January and complete TOEFL or IELTS testing, if necessary. Offers of acceptance to the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program will begin in May 2025 and continue on a rolling basis until all openings are filled.

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Testing

Do applicants need to take the TOEFL or IELTS?

You do not need to take the TOEFL or IELTS to submit your application to the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program. All applicants are required to take a free online English assessment provided by Arizona State University (ASU) as part of the Tomorrow’s Leaders application. Once you begin your application, you will be provided with a link to the ASU assessment. If you are a shortlisted finalist, we will contact you in January 2025 and ask you to take the TOEFL or IELTS. Shortlisted finalists are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS to confirm their English language skills before selections are confirmed. You must submit your results by March 10, 2025. The program will cover testing costs for shortlisted finalists. If you have already taken the TOEFL or IELTS and the results are less than two years old, you may submit those results when applying before November 29, 2024.

How is the ASU English language assessment structured? How many times can I take it?

The Arizona State University (ASU) is an English language assessment which evaluates listening, reading comprehension, and grammar skills. Students should take the ASU assessment only once. We recommend taking the ASU assessment in a quiet place with a good internet connection where you can concentrate and not be distracted for approximately 30 minutes. If you lose power or the internet drops while you are taking the ASU assessment, you will be able to start over once you are able to login again.

My English language proficiency is at a low level. Can I apply?

The Tomorrow’s Leaders Program is for undergraduate and graduate programs with course work instruction in the English language. For students to succeed, they need to be able to speak, comprehend, and write in English at the university level.

Do you accept Duolingo English assessment?

Acceptance of the Duolingo English assessment varies among our university partners. LAU accepts the Duolingo English assessment for both undergraduate and graduate applicants; AUB only accepts the Duolingo English assessment for graduate applicants; and AUC does not accept the Duolingo English assessment. If you have already taken the assessment, you may upload your results with your application. All applicants are required to take the Arizona State University (ASU) English language assessment as part of the Tomorrow’s Leaders application due November 29, 2024. Shortlisted candidates will likely still have to take the TOEFL prior to March 10, 2025.

Do I need to take the SAT for the undergraduate program?

Each Tomorrow’s Leaders partner university has different requirements for the SAT. If you have an American High School Diploma or are interested in any of the listed programs below, or want to be considered for American University of Beirut you should plan on taking the SAT.

The American University of Beirut (AUB)
AUB requires the SAT for all undergraduate applicants.

• Science track – 1250 minimum score required
• Liberal Arts track – 1170 minimum score required

The American University in Cairo (AUC)
AUC requires the SAT for undergraduate applicants who have an American High School Diploma. If you have an American High School Diploma, then you must have a minimum combined score of 950 on the SAT. AUC requires the SAT if you are applying for any of the following majors:

• Engineering programs – 560 minimum Math score required
  (no minimum Evidence-based reading, no minimum Writing)
• Actuarial Science – 560 minimum Math score required
  (no minimum Evidence-based reading, no minimum Writing)
• Data Science – 560 minimum Math score required
  (no minimum Evidence-based reading, no minimum Writing)
• Computer Science – 560 minimum Math score required
  (no minimum Evidence-based reading, no minimum Writing)
• AUC does NOT require the SAT if you are not applying to any of the majors listed above AND if you do not have an American High School Diploma.

The Lebanese American University (LAU)
LAU requires the SAT for undergraduate applicants who have an American High School Diploma. LAU requires the SAT if you are applying to any of the following majors:

• Biology (B.S.) – 1050 minimum score required
• Bioinformatics (B.S.) – 1000 minimum score
• Nutrition & Dietetics-Coordinated Program (B.S.) – 1050 minimum score
• Graphic Design (B.F.A.) – 1000 minimum score
• Interior Design (B.F.A.) – 1000 minimum score
• Fine Arts (B.A) – 870 minimum score
• Nursing (B.S.) – 1000 minimum score
• Civil Engineering (B.E.) – 1150 overall with 600 minimum in Math
• Computer Engineering (B.E.) – 1150 overall with 600 minimum in Math
• Electrical Engineering (B.E.) – 1150 overall with 600 minimum in Math
• Industrial Engineering (B.E.) – 1150 overall with 600 minimum in Math
• Mechanical Engineering (B.E.) – 1150 overall with 600 minimum in Math
• Mechatronics (B.E.) – 1150 overall with 600 minimum in Math 
• Petroleum Engineering (B.E.) – 1150 overall with 600 minimum in Math

LAU does NOT require the SAT if you are not applying to any of the majors listed above AND if you do not have an American High School Diploma

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