About the Program:
Alekain's Claim Your Diploma Initiative provides Afghan girls, ages 16 and above who have completed middle school, the opportunity to participate in accredited, online, secondary school education through our partnership with Smart Schools International, a fully accredited online high school. Completion of the program will result in a US certified high school diploma. Classes are flexible and asynchronous, and students should be prepared to commit at least 25 hours per week to study. The Claim Your Diploma Initiative can be completed between 16 and 24 months.
Students are supported throughout the program with essential technology, mental wellness support, academic assistance, and mentorship along the way. This means that in addition to your study hours, you commit to attending regular meetings, up to 5 additional hours per week. Participating in Alekain's program is a commitment to full time study online and a core expectation of the program is to manage your time well.
At the end of the program, participants will earn an internationally recognized high school diploma, opening a pathway for higher education and significantly expanding future opportunities.
Qualifications
Applicants must:
- be an Afghan girl aged 16 and above
- currently be living in Afghanistan
- have completed middle school, or be in the last year of middle school
- have B2 proficiency on the CERF scale in the English language to be able to successfully complete coursework with English as the medium of instruction. Applicants with lower levels of English should work to improve their English skills and reapply in the future.
- demonstrate motivation, leadership, and community engagement
- write all answers to this application by themselves without assistance in English. We do not expect perfect English, but we do expect all applications to be self-written
- along with their parents/guardians, agree to keep all details about Alekain Foundation confidential
The use of AI is strictly prohibited when completing your application. You must write using original words in English, without using an online translator tool (looking up single words in the dictionary is fine). We want to hear about your motivations and experiences in your own voice with true examples from your own life. The use of AI may create a grammatically "nice" answer, but it limits our ability to learn about you as an individual and will disqualify your application.
Application Requirements:
As part of the application process, please complete this form, attach the required supporting documents listed below, and submit it online by the due date. Alekain understands that some documents may not be available due to the situation in Afghanistan. The last day to submit your application is August 30, 2026.
We strongly encourage early submissions to ensure last minute glitches do not prevent you from being considered. No late applications will be considered, even in cases of technical difficulties.
- Complete and submit this Online Application
- Upload the following attachments:
- your current resume or CV if available (it should include your current educational qualifications, List of extra-curricular activities, volunteering, and/or professional experiences)
- Transcripts (etlaanama from your last three grades)
- List of awards, honors, and/or certifications (example: letters of appreciation, certificates, recognition for an outstanding work or project, etc.)
- Any other information or documentation that you feel may enhance your application
- You must have a valid passport or national ID (Tazkira) to be considered for the program. You will be asked to submit this later in the process.
- You will be asked to submit a copy of passport/national (Tazkira) ID of your parents (father or mother) at a later date, also.
Application Process:
Step 1: The information on the application will be reviewed for basic qualifications, motivation, and demonstration of leadership and community engagement. If your response is AI generated or uses an online translator, you will be disqualified at this stage.
Step 2: Applicants who pass the basic qualifications will be invited to take an English language test to fulfill requirement of our partner school. Applicants with at least B2 proficiency on the CERF scale will be short-listed.
Step 3: Short-listed applicants will be invited for an online interview with Alekain Foundation staff. Interviewing applicants will submit copies of their and their parents' passports.
Step 4: Finalists will be notified by email that they have been selected to participate in the program
Step 5: Online Orientation and classes are anticipated to begin between mid-February and March 2027
Please note, parental consent and support is required for participation. Parents of selected students will be required to sign a consent form. Both participants and parents will be required to sign statements of confidentiality to ensure the safety of all Alekain stakeholders in Afghanistan and beyond.
Continue to the next page to begin your application. Please read each question carefully and provide a response with as much detail as you can. We encourage thoughtful and polished applications. You should write at least 2-4 drafts of your essay questions. All work must be original. Save your application as you continue to work on your drafts and submit only when your responses are strong and polished.
Please note: we typically receive many more applications than there are spots in the program. We can only admit less than 3% of the brilliant young Afghan girls who apply. We thank you for fighting for your education and applying to become an Alekain Scholar!
For questions, please email us at students@alekainfoundation.org
To learn more about Alekain, visit our website at https://alekainfoundation.org/about/