Stranded in Gaza, I risk losing my UK scholarship as evacuation stalls

"I met every requirement, yet my name is missing from evacuation lists. Delays and opaque rules mean students like me face losing scholarships and futures as bombs fall and deadlines pass. On September 17, 34 students were evacuated from Gaza to the United Kingdom to begin their studies. Many of them had applied for their visas after I applied for mine. Yet, when I received the news of their exit, I felt joy and peace for them."

"I kept my spirits up, believing that my turn would come soon. But when the next evacuation list arrived on September 29, the shock struck me with crushing force: there were 17 more names on it, but mine was not among them. I am not the only one facing this mystery. There are at least eight other students in Gaza that I know of who received prestigious scholarships to attend UK higher education institutions many months ago,"

"Our fully funded scholarships at leading UK universities are now at risk not because our institutions failed to advocate for us, but because of unexplained and inconsistent delays in the evacuation process. My programme at the University of Birmingham officially began on September 29. My place is fully secured, with tuition fees, living costs and accommodation already paid for through a Sanctuary Scholarship. Yet, I am still trapped in Gaza, waiting for confirmation that never comes."

A student met all eligibility requirements but remains missing from evacuation lists. Evacuation lists on September 17 and September 29 included cohorts, yet the student's name did not appear despite earlier visa application. At least eight other Gaza students with prestigious UK scholarships also remain unlisted despite meeting UKVI criteria. Fully funded places at leading UK universities are at risk because of unexplained, inconsistent evacuation delays, not institutional advocacy failures. The student's University of Birmingham programme officially began on September 29 with tuition, living costs, and accommodation already paid via a Sanctuary Scholarship. The student remains trapped in Gaza awaiting confirmation.

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