Program
Scholarships
Education is the most powerful tool we have. We use it to build futures for young Krajina Serbs.
Education is the most powerful tool we have. We use it to build futures for young Krajina Serbs.
About the Program
When a family is displaced, the immediate losses are obvious — home, livelihood, community. But one of the deepest wounds of forced displacement is the interruption of education. Young people whose futures were derailed by the events of 1995 and the years that followed face barriers to university that their peers never encountered.
Our Scholarship Program was launched in 2016 to address exactly this. We provide financial support for high school and university students of Krajina Serbian heritage — covering tuition fees, accommodation, books, and a monthly living stipend — so that the cost of education is never the reason a bright student cannot pursue their potential.
To date, we have awarded over 500 scholarships across fields including medicine, engineering, law, economics, education, and the arts. Our alumni are now doctors, teachers, engineers, and entrepreneurs — many of whom actively support our programs in return.
Coverage
Full or partial coverage of university tuition, paid directly to the institution.
Monthly housing allowance so students can focus on their studies without financial stress.
Annual book and supplies allowance, plus access to our digital resource library.
Connection with our alumni network and professional mentors in your field of study.
Who Qualifies
Applicant or at least one parent must be of Serbian origin from the former Krajina region of Croatia (municipalities of Knin, Glina, Petrinja, Vojnić, Vrginmost, Slunj, and surrounding areas).
Any accredited institution of higher education — undergraduate or postgraduate — in Serbia, Bosnia, or any EU country.
Priority is given to students from households with limited financial resources, as documented in the application.
Good standing with their institution; existing students must maintain a minimum passing average to continue receiving the scholarship.
Application Process
Download our application form from this page. Complete all sections — personal background, educational details, and a short personal statement (max 500 words).
Proof of Krajina heritage, university enrollment letter, academic transcripts, proof of financial situation, and one letter of recommendation from a teacher or community leader.
Applications for the 2024–25 academic year close on September 15, 2024. Late applications cannot be considered. Email your complete package to scholarships@friendsofkrajina.com.
Shortlisted candidates are invited to a brief online interview with our scholarship committee. Final decisions are communicated by October 15, 2024.
Their Words
"I grew up in a refugee settlement outside Belgrade, knowing my family had lost everything in 1995. The Friends of Krajina scholarship made it possible for me to study medicine. I graduated in 2022 and now work as a doctor in Belgrade. None of this would have happened without this organization."
"My parents were forced out of Knin when I was two years old. They worked three jobs each so I could study law — but it wasn't enough. The scholarship covered what they couldn't. Today I work as a human rights lawyer. I give back to this program every year because I know what it meant to me."
Common Questions
Applications for the 2024–25 academic year are open. Download the form, gather your documents, and send us your application.