The Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program, funded by Orascom Construction, offers fully funded undergraduate scholarships for outstanding Egyptian students who want to pursue four-year bachelor’s degrees at selected universities in the United States.

The current undergraduate cycle is designed for students who plan to begin their studies in the U.S. in:

August or September 2027.

The scholarship covers:

Full tuition
Living allowance
Travel expenses
Books and computer
Health insurance
Other programme benefits

The programme is highly selective and is based on:

academic excellence + financial need + character + extracurricular achievement + entrepreneurial initiative.

However, the application deadline for this cycle was:

July 31, 2026.

That means the 2027-entry scholarship application is now closed.

Onsi Sawiris Undergraduate Scholarship 2027 Overview

Detail	Information
Scholarship	Onsi Sawiris Scholarship Program
Funding Organisation	Orascom Construction
Study Country	United States
Study Level	Undergraduate
Intake	August/September 2027
Duration	4 years
Funding	Fully funded
Tuition	Fully covered
Living Allowance	Included
Travel Expenses	Included
Books & Computer	Included
Health Insurance	Included
Eligible Nationality	Egyptian
Residency Requirement	Must reside in Egypt
Minimum GPA	3.5 / 90% or equivalent
SAT Minimum	1450
ACT Minimum	32
TOEFL iBT Minimum	100
IELTS Academic Minimum	7.5
Deadline	July 31, 2026
Current Status	Closed
U.S. Study Start	August/September 2027
Return-to-Egypt Requirement	2 years after graduation

Which U.S. Universities Are Included?

The official undergraduate scholarship page lists the following endorsed universities:

University of Chicago
Stanford University
University of Pennsylvania
Harvard University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

The scholarship is only awarded for study at approved institutions.

Opportunities Feed Clarification

Applicants cannot choose any U.S. university.

The scholarship is restricted to the programme’s endorsed institutions.

Which Subjects Are Funded?

The undergraduate scholarship covers selected areas including:

Engineering
Economics
Finance
Management

Within engineering, preference is given to fields linked to sustainable development, including areas such as:

Civil engineering
Environmental engineering
Energy engineering
Mechanical engineering
Chemical engineering
Water engineering
Sustainability

Are Computer Science Degrees Covered?

No.

The official undergraduate scholarship page specifically states that:

computer engineering and computer science majors are not funded.

They may only be included as a minor within an Engineering School.

Opportunities Feed Warning

Do not promote this as:

“Fully Funded MIT Computer Science Scholarship.”

Computer science and computer engineering majors are explicitly excluded from the undergraduate funding.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

Be Egyptian nationals
Be residents of Egypt
Meet the academic requirements
Plan to start undergraduate study in the U.S. in 2027
Have extracurricular involvement
Commit to returning to Egypt after graduation

Are Dual Nationals Eligible?

The programme does not completely exclude dual nationals, but it states that:

preference will not be given to dual-nationality applicants.

What Is the Academic Requirement?

Applicants need a cumulative academic record of at least:

3.5 GPA

or:

90%

or an equivalent score under another national or international school system.

Can Grade 11 Students Apply?

Yes.

Students completing Grade 11 by the July 31, 2026 application deadline were eligible to apply.

They could apply using their latest available transcripts, provided they planned to start their first undergraduate year as freshmen in:

August 2027.

Can Grade 12 Students Apply?

Yes.

Students completing Grade 12 by the same deadline were also eligible, provided they planned to start as first-year undergraduate students in 2027.

What SAT Score Is Required?

The minimum SAT score is:

1450.

The score must have been taken within:

two years.

What ACT Score Is Required?

Applicants may alternatively submit an ACT score of at least:

32.

What English Test Is Required?

Applicants need either:

TOEFL iBT: minimum 100

or:

IELTS Academic: minimum 7.5.

The test result must still be valid, meaning it should fall within the stated two-year validity period.

Does the Scholarship Cover Full Tuition?

Yes.

The programme’s official FAQ describes the Onsi Sawiris Scholarship as:

fully funded

and confirms:

full tuition coverage.

Is There a Living Allowance?

Yes.

living allowance

is part of the confirmed scholarship package.

Opportunities Feed Clarification

The official page does not provide one universal published monthly living-allowance amount.

Do not invent a dollar figure.

Are Flights Covered?

Travel expenses are included in the programme benefits.

Are Books Covered?

Yes.

The FAQ lists:

books

among the funded expenses.

Is a Computer Covered?

Yes.

The official FAQ lists:

books & computer

as scholarship benefits.

Is Health Insurance Covered?

Yes.

Health insurance is included in the scholarship package.

Is This Really a Fully Funded Scholarship?

Yes.

Unlike many opportunities where “fully funded” is used loosely, the official Onsi Sawiris programme itself describes the scholarship as fully funded and states that it includes:

full tuition + living allowance + travel expenses + health insurance.

Is Financial Need Considered?

Yes.

The scholarship is awarded based on:

merit, need and character.

Academic excellence alone does not automatically guarantee selection.

Are Extracurricular Activities Required?

Yes.

Applicants need to demonstrate participation in extracurricular activities.

Opportunities Feed Insight

A stronger applicant profile would likely combine:

excellent grades + strong test results + extracurricular leadership + evidence of initiative + clear commitment to Egypt’s future development.

Is Entrepreneurial Initiative Important?

Yes.

The programme says scholarship recipients are selected partly based on:

entrepreneurial initiative.

That means activities showing:

Leadership
Initiative
Problem solving
Innovation
Community impact

may strengthen an application.

Do Applicants Have to Return to Egypt?

Yes.

Recipients must commit to returning to Egypt for:

two years immediately after completing their bachelor’s degree.

Can Scholars Stay in the United States After Graduation?

The programme FAQ says:

No.

Scholars are required to return to Egypt and remain there for two years after completing their degree.

Opportunities Feed Warning

This is a major condition.

Applicants should not view the scholarship as an automatic pathway to remain permanently in the United States after graduation.

Does Living Abroad Affect Eligibility?

Yes.

Preference is given to applicants who:

have not lived, worked or studied abroad for more than two years.

What Documents Were Required?

Applicants needed to submit:

Online application form
Resume
SAT or ACT test scores
TOEFL or IELTS score
Latest academic transcripts
Grade 12 or Thanaweyya Amma certificate if available
Two recommendation letters
Proof of extracurricular activities

What Happens If Documents Are Missing?

The programme states that applications missing required:

documents or test scores

are automatically disqualified from the screening stage.

How Many Recommendation Letters Are Needed?

Applicants need:

two recommendation letters.

The official FAQ says the recommendations should come from individuals capable of evaluating the applicant’s:

academic performance.

Is University Admission Automatic if You Win the Scholarship?

No.

Being selected as an Onsi Sawiris nominee does:

not guarantee admission

to Harvard, Stanford, MIT, UChicago or UPenn.

Applicants still need to complete the university admission process successfully.

When Do University Applications Begin?

Nominated applicants are expected to begin their U.S. university applications around:

October 2026.

Do Nominees Receive Application Support?

Yes.

Selected nominees receive support from scholarship advisers while applying to the approved universities.

The schedule shows that the university application and placement phase runs approximately from:

October 2026 to April/May 2027.

When Are Scholarship Nominees Selected?

The official schedule states:

August–September 2026: selection of semifinalists and personal interviews.

Then:

September 2026: notification of nominated applicants.

Are Interviews Required?

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to:

personal interviews at Orascom Construction.

When Is Orientation?

Programme orientation for nominated recipients is scheduled for:

October 2026.

When Is the Award Ceremony?

The official schedule lists the scholarship award ceremony for:

July 2027.

When Will Travel Arrangements Be Made?

Travel arrangements and pre-departure orientation are scheduled for:

July–August 2027.

When Will Students Travel to the United States?

Successful recipients are expected to depart for the United States in:

August–September 2027.

How Long Does the Entire Selection Process Take?

The programme FAQ explains that the application cycle takes approximately:

one year

from scholarship application deadline to commencement of studies in the United States.

Can Someone Already Accepted by Harvard or Another Approved University Apply?

Potentially, yes.

The FAQ states that applicants already admitted to an approved institution and eligible programme must still:

Meet scholarship criteria
Submit the Onsi Sawiris application
Provide all documents
Attend interviews if shortlisted

Funding is not automatic simply because university admission has already been secured.

Is the Scholarship Open to All International Students?

No.

This is one of the most important restrictions.

The undergraduate programme is for:

Egyptian nationals residing in Egypt.

Opportunities Feed Warning

Do not publish:

“International Students Can Apply for Onsi Sawiris Scholarship.”

That would be inaccurate.

Can Nigerian Students Apply?

Not under the standard undergraduate eligibility criteria unless they meet the required Egyptian nationality and residency conditions.

Can Zimbabwean Students Apply?

No, unless they also satisfy the programme’s Egyptian nationality and residency requirements.

Can Kenyan Students Apply?

The same restriction applies.

Can Other African Students Apply?

The scholarship should not be promoted as:

“Open to African Students.”

Eligibility is specifically tied to:

Egyptian nationality + residence in Egypt.

Can Computer Science Students Apply?

Not as a funded major.

Computer science and computer engineering are explicitly excluded as undergraduate scholarship majors.

Which Engineering Fields Are Preferred?

The programme gives preference to engineering disciplines contributing to sustainable development.

Examples include:

Civil engineering
Environmental engineering
Energy engineering
Mechanical engineering
Chemical engineering
Water engineering
Sustainability-related engineering

Is There a Minimum Age?

The official undergraduate criteria reviewed do not give one universal numerical age limit.

The key educational requirement is that applicants be positioned to begin their first year of undergraduate study in 2027.

What About International School Qualifications?

The FAQ gives additional academic-equivalence guidance.

Examples include:

IGCSE

Applicants need three A-Level subjects with a cumulative result equivalent to at least:

90% or 4.0 GPA.

French Baccalaureate

Minimum:

14.

German School System

Minimum:

1.6 GPA or higher on the German five-point scale.

International Baccalaureate

Required minimum:

38–40.

How Competitive Is the Scholarship?

The programme is clearly highly selective.

Since the programme started in:

2000

it has financed the education of:

105 students.

Opportunities Feed Assessment

That long-term total suggests this is not a mass scholarship programme.

Applicants need to distinguish themselves through:

academics + testing + extracurricular achievement + character + financial need + entrepreneurial initiative.

When Was the 2027-Entry Deadline?

The scholarship application deadline was:

July 31, 2026.

Is the Scholarship Open Now?

No.

As of September 10, 2026, the July 31 deadline has passed.

The current cycle is now in the:

selection and nomination stage.

What Is Happening Now?

According to the published schedule:

August–September 2026

is the period for selecting semifinalists and conducting interviews.

September 2026

is scheduled for notification of nominated applicants.

Will There Be Another Undergraduate Scholarship Cycle?

The programme has operated for many years, but applicants should not assume future:

Opening dates
Deadlines
Test requirements
University lists
Funding conditions

until the next official call is published.

How Future Applicants Can Prepare

Students hoping to compete in a future round should start early.

A strong preparation sequence is:

build academic performance → prepare SAT/ACT → complete TOEFL/IELTS → strengthen extracurricular record → identify eligible fields → arrange strong recommendations → prepare a professional resume → monitor the official scholarship portal.

Application Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

Saying the scholarship is open worldwide
Saying all African students are eligible
Calling the current round open
Missing the July 31 deadline
Applying with SAT below 1450
Applying with ACT below 32
Applying with TOEFL below 100
Applying with IELTS below 7.5
Applying for computer science
Applying for computer engineering
Assuming nomination guarantees Harvard or MIT admission
Ignoring the two-year return-to-Egypt requirement
Failing to submit extracurricular evidence
Missing recommendation letters
Inventing a monthly living-allowance amount

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Onsi Sawiris Undergraduate Scholarship?

It is a fully funded undergraduate scholarship funded by Orascom Construction for eligible Egyptian students pursuing approved degrees at selected U.S. universities.

Is it fully funded?

Yes.

The scholarship includes:

full tuition + living allowance + travel expenses + books/computer + health insurance and other benefits.

Can international students apply?

Not generally.

Applicants must be:

Egyptian nationals residing in Egypt.

Which universities are approved?

The undergraduate page lists:

Harvard University
Stanford University
MIT
University of Chicago
University of Pennsylvania

Can I study computer science?

No.

Computer science is not covered as an undergraduate major.

Can I study engineering?

Yes, in approved engineering disciplines.

Can I study economics?

Yes.

Can I study finance?

Yes.

Can I study management?

Yes.

What GPA is required?

At least:

3.5 or 90% equivalent.

What SAT score is required?

1450.

What ACT score is required?

32.

What IELTS score is required?

7.5 Academic.

What TOEFL score is required?

100 iBT.

Are Grade 11 students eligible?

Yes, provided they meet the requirements and begin U.S. undergraduate study in 2027.

Are Grade 12 students eligible?

Yes.

Are extracurricular activities required?

Yes.

Do I need two recommendations?

Yes.

Do scholars need to return to Egypt?

Yes.

Recipients must return for:

two years immediately after graduation.

What was the application deadline?

July 31, 2026.

Is the scholarship still open?

No.

When do successful students start university?

August or September 2027.

Opportunities Feed Verdict

The Onsi Sawiris Undergraduate Scholarship Program is one of the most substantial U.S. undergraduate funding opportunities available specifically to high-achieving Egyptian students.

The scholarship is genuinely:

fully funded.

Its confirmed benefits include:

full tuition + living allowance + travel expenses + books and computer + health insurance.

The programme supports eligible students at major U.S. institutions including:

Harvard + Stanford + MIT + University of Chicago + University of Pennsylvania.

Applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance, including:

3.5 GPA or 90% equivalent + SAT 1450 or ACT 32 + TOEFL 100 or IELTS 7.5

alongside extracurricular involvement and other programme requirements.

But this is not a worldwide international scholarship.

Eligibility is specifically for:

Egyptian nationals residing in Egypt.

Students must also commit to returning to Egypt for:

two years after completing their bachelor’s degree.

For the current 2027-entry cycle, applications closed on:

July 31, 2026.

The programme is now progressing through interviews and nomination, followed by U.S. university applications and placement before students depart in:

August–September 2027.

For Opportunities Feed, the strongest current positioning is therefore:

fully funded scholarship guide + 2027 intake timeline + future-cycle preparation

rather than:

“Applications Open.”

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