The Gazan Student Support Network (GSSN) was created in response to the ongoing destruction of Gaza’s educational infrastructure. We serve as a resource for students navigating the higher education landscape internationally while Gaza rebuilds.
The GSSN counseling team focuses its efforts beyond traditional application guidance in light of the unique challenges students in Gaza now face. Instead, we work with students on these five major hurdles, many of which have been exacerbated during the war: insufficient opportunities, internet blockades, travel restrictions, lost academic & personal records, and competitive scholarships
Our Work
Leveraging our network of global counselors, we have been able to accomplish a great deal for our students. In the coming year, we plan to scale our impact to a much wider segment of the student population.
Total scholarship dollars offered to GSSN students in 2024
93
first year and current university student applicants
24
countries to which applications have been submitted
100+
volunteer admissions professionals assigned to students
The New Reality
It is difficult to fully capture the wholesale destruction of Gaza's educational system. Given the decade or more it may take to rebuild, an entire generation of students now faces the risk of losing out on higher education entirely.
90,000 college students can’t finish their education
The scholasticide in Gaza has resulted in the total disruption of domestic education & severe constraints in accessing opportunities abroad
0 Universities left in Gaza
The effort to rebuild schools in Gaza could take as long as 20 years
93%
of schools in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed
800,000 students displaced
The harsh realities in Gaza have made continuing education – whether domestic or abroad – almost impossible
Lasting Consequences
The GSSN counseling team focuses their efforts beyond traditional application guidance in light of the unique challenges students in Gaza now face. Counselors work with students to address these five expressed areas of hardship, many of which have been exacerbated during the recent escalated destruction:
- Lack of governmental and institutional support for Palestinian students
- Few universities have publicly offered pathways
Lost Records
Many students have no hard copies of records and cannot access transcripts with schools and servers destroyed
Internet Blockade
- Limited & intermittent internet make online educational options very challenging
- University applications cannot be accessed without outside support
Travel Restrictions
- Visa restrictions prevent Palestinians from traveling to many countries
- Attaining passports and travel documents is almost impossible
- The blockade means no one has been allowed in or out of Gaza since May, 2024
Competitive Scholarships
- Students are competing for a limited number of highly selective scholarships worldwide
- Few are ear-marked for refugees