We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We have very minimum overhead – all of our leadership and core team contribute their time and skills on a completely voluntary basis. Our admin costs only cover our yearly tax return and salaries to student-interns (also a form of support).

We are highlighting Bridge4Students on social media channels and working with our partners to spread the word to universities. Most of our students found out about us through their universities or word of mouth.

We will offer two types of grants. The Emergency Bridge Grant that would help students in excruciating circumstances to get by until they settle and find a job. We also provide Tuition, Room & Board Scholarships to talented students based on merit. All students receiving funds are validated using a pre-determined criteria (need based and/or merit based) - they have to fill out an extensive application form and hold an interview with a Bridge4Students representative. All applications and candidates are thoroughly vetted and evaluated by Bridge4Students leadership panel to define eligibility and grant amount. We also confirm eligibility of each student with their respective university. Funds go directly to students' university accounts to ensure that are applied towards Tuition, Room & Board expenses.

Mentorship services will be slightly different for current international students and future students (children of refugees). Current international students from other countries often do not have a good network to help them navigate complicated career paths. We try to speak with them and provide initial advice and can also match them with mentors from various career fields based on their interest and help them position themselves better for those fields. Future students (children of recent refugees) are new to the country and have very vague idea how education works in the US. We will offer initial advice to them and then offer matching them to mentors who could help them navigate through the educational system in the US and define best path forward.

We are networking with various corporations and are matching students either with summer jobs in their professional fields or with youth summer camp positions – both will help them get paid during the summer and get relevant experience

Most current international students are in the US on F1/F2 visa that allows them to work over the summer in internships (CPT = Curricular Practical Training) and for anywhere from 1 to 3 years after graduation (OPT - Occupational Practical Training). So any job that they are offered needs to be defined as an internship in their field of study. Student-refugees (i.e., students from Ukraine or Afghanistan who plan to stay in the US) can also have their Temporary Protective Status that will allow them to work legally in the United States.

Since our inception in April 2022, with your support: ✅ We’ve helped 250 students with mentorship, job connections, and scholarships ✅ Awarded over 100 merit-based scholarships and bridge grants, ensuring students can continue their studies without interruption ✅ Launched partnerships with organizations to offer internships and professional experience