Free university application mentorship for Afghan students
Ariana Academy is the education arm of Ariana Nexus. Our mentors are Afghan alumni and current students of Cornell University, Harvard University, The University of British Columbia and other leading universities. We guide you through every step of applying to universities abroad — scholarships, essays, documents, interviews — at no cost, at any stage.
Am I eligible? Check in thirty seconds
This checks the LAAR mentorship program only. Every resource on the page is open to everyone.
- Türkiye BurslarıApplications usually open January to February
- Chevening (United Kingdom)Closes in early November each year
- DAAD (Germany)Many master's programs close October to November
- U.S. regular decisionJanuary 1 to 15 at most universities
When is the next meeting, what it is about, who presents it, and in which language
Pashto and Dari. Register and we send the time and the link by email. Everything is free.
The application year at a glance
Typical windows. Every route has its own official page and exact dates; we keep the live calendar for mentees and update this table each month.
What is Ariana Academy?
Ariana Academy is a free, pro bono mentorship program run by Ariana Nexus from Washington, D.C. It helps Afghan students inside and outside Afghanistan apply to universities abroad, win scholarships, learn new skills and connect with Afghan alumni and current students at their target universities. Mentees have been admitted to Cornell University, Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, The University of British Columbia and other leading universities. There is no charge at any stage.
- Cost
- Free at every stage. No fees, no commissions, no paid tiers.
- Who it serves
- Afghan students in Afghanistan and worldwide; girls who cannot attend school; skill learners.
- Languages
- Pashto, Dari and English.
- Mentors
- Four mentors from Ariana Nexus plus a network of Afghan scholars, alumni and students.
- Admissions record
- Thirteen named universities across the United States, Canada and Germany, and more.
- Run by
- Ariana Nexus, Washington, D.C. — the Academy has no office in Afghanistan.
- Last reviewed
- September 15, 2026
Who Ariana Academy is for
Students inside Afghanistan
Grade 10 to 12 students, Kankor graduates, and university students seeking transfer or graduate study abroad. Everything happens online, in the language you choose.Afghan students abroad
Students and recent graduates in Pakistan, Iran, Türkiye, Europe and North America, including refugees and evacuees whose documents are incomplete.Girls who cannot attend school
A safe, private route to keep learning through free platforms in Pashto and Dari, an English pathway, and mentorship into university when you are ready.Skill learners and young professionals
Free learning paths in AI, coding, data, English and Microsoft 365, and internships at Ariana Nexus for those we can supervise well.
Programs for Afghan students
Nine ways in, each with an Afghan name. LAAR is the flagship; everything else is open to everyone unless it says Selection. Every card lists what you get.
- SelectionLAARد لار برنامه · برنامۀ لارPashto: the path
University application mentorship
One mentor, one student, the whole application — from the first shortlist to the admission letter.What you get- University shortlist and scholarship strategy for the countries open to you
- Essays, statement of purpose and CV reviewed line by line before every submission
- Documents prepared and translated: Shahadatnama, Se-Parcha, transcripts, Kankor results
- Mock interviews and an alumnus or current student at each target university
Format: Online · 6 to 12 months · limited seats · selection required - SelectionTolanaټولنهPashto: the community — the network
The network of Afghan alumni, scholars and students
The network of Afghan alumni, scholars and current students you can connect with — matched to the university and the field you are aiming for. Selected students also join our Telegram and Microsoft Teams groups.What you get- Matched by program, university and country
- Group question-and-answer sessions with recent admits
- Telegram and Microsoft Teams groups for selected students
- Peer cohorts that apply in the same cycle
Format: Selected students only · ongoing - OpenTasdiqد تحصیلي اسنادو تصدیق او ژباړه · تصدیق و ترجمهٔ اسناد تحصیلیPashto · Dari: certification and translation of educational documents
Certification and translation of educational documents
We review your Afghan educational documents, translate and certify them, and guide you through official credential evaluation where a university requires it.What you get- Shahadatnama, Se-Parcha, Kankor results and university transcripts
- Certified Pashto and Dari to English translation
- Guidance on WES, ECE and the WES Gateway Program for displaced students in Canada and the United States
Format: Free for mentees · your documents are never shared without your written consent - OpenNishastغونډې · نشستهاPashto · Dari: meetings — a series of sessions
Meetings, talks and mentorship sessions
A series of meetings where guest speakers — alumni and current students of leading universities — tell their own academic journeys and how they got in, plus application workshops and scholarship deadline briefings, in Pashto, Dari and English.What you get- Guest speakers on how they got in: the application, the scholarship, what they would do differently
- Application workshops and scholarship deadline briefings for the current cycle
- Times shown in Afghanistan time and Eastern time; recordings for anyone who could not join live
- Open to everyone, not only selected mentees
Format: Online · monthly - OpenRoshaniد روشنۍ برنامه · برنامۀ روشنیDari: light
Learning for girls who cannot attend school
If school is closed to you, learning is not. A private route to free courses in Pashto and Dari, an English pathway, and mentorship into university when you are ready.What you get- No real name required to use the resources; a nickname is fine for your first message
- Audio-only sessions and the channel you choose
- Nothing about you is ever published
Format: Online · private · open all year - OpenMaharatد مهارت برنامه · برنامۀ مهارتPashto and Dari: skill
Skills academy
Free learning paths in AI and coding, data, English and Microsoft 365, plus cohorts run by the Ariana Nexus team — and the skills that make a profile: writing, LinkedIn and a portfolio of your own.What you get- AI and vibe coding cohort: build real tools with AI assistants
- Writing skills, a LinkedIn profile that reads well, and a portfolio you build yourself
- Language and cultural data work in Pashto, Dari and other Afghan languages
- Research writing and Microsoft 365 for work
Format: Online · self-paced paths and scheduled cohorts - SelectionTajruba-e-Kariکاري تجربه · تجربهٔ کاریPashto · Dari: work experience
Internships at Ariana Nexus
Remote Summer Analyst and Summer Associate roles across AI and data engineering, digital engineering, research, language work and operations.What you get- Real client-grade work with a named supervisor
- A written evaluation and a reference at the end
- A path to Analyst and Consultant roles at the firm
Format: Remote · selection required · we take only those we can supervise well - OpenIkhtiraaد اختراع برنامه · برنامۀ اختراعPashto and Dari: invention
Idea lab
Share your idea — a venture, a research question, a community project. We read every submission.What you get- The strongest ideas get a conversation with Hassan Ukasha and the team
- Where the idea and the person are right, Ariana Nexus invests or supports
- Entrepreneurs can meet the team in Washington, D.C. by appointment
Format: Open all year - OpenHamkariد همکارۍ برنامه · برنامۀ همکاریPashto and Dari: working together
Mentors and team
Join as a volunteer mentor if you are an alumnus or current student of a leading university, or join the Ariana Nexus team as a vibe coder, AI engineer, designer, researcher or translator.What you get- Mentors: two hours a month, one student, one application cycle
- Team: evaluated before joining, supervised after
- Both routes start with a short form on this page
Format: Remote · evaluation before joining
How the LAAR mentorship program works
Apply
A fifteen-minute form. Upload your CV, Shahadatnama and Se-Parcha in any format — photos are fine.Evaluation
We read every application. Shortlisted students have a thirty-minute conversation in Pashto, Dari or English.Matching
You are paired with a mentor from our team and with an alumnus or current student at a target university.Mentorship
A written plan with deadlines, weekly or biweekly sessions, and every essay and form reviewed before submission.Admission and beyond
Scholarship follow-up, visa and travel readiness where a pathway exists, pre-departure orientation, and a place in Tolana to mentor the next cohort.
How we select
Seats are limited every year, so we accept only students we can mentor through the whole process.
Academic record and trajectory
Grades, Kankor results and what you did with the opportunities you had.Clarity of goal
A field, a degree level and a reason — not a list of famous names.Readiness in this cycle
Documents in hand, an English level or a realistic plan to reach it, and time to do the work.Commitment
Replies within 48 hours, sessions attended, drafts delivered.Need
We prioritize students without other access to guidance.
Not selected this cycle? Every template and guide on this page is open to you, Nishast sessions are open to everyone, and you can apply again next cycle.
Universities where our mentees have been admitted
Ivy League
- Harvard University
- Yale University
- Princeton University
- Cornell University
- Dartmouth College
Leading U.S. research universities
- The University of Chicago
- Johns Hopkins University
- Duke University
- New York University
U.S. public universities
- Arizona State University
- Utah Tech University
Canada
- The University of British Columbia
Germany
- Saarland University (Universität des Saarlandes)
Listed as a factual record of admissions received by students Ariana Academy mentored, and many other universities across several continents. Admission decisions are made solely by each university. No university endorses, sponsors or is affiliated with Ariana Academy or Ariana Nexus.
Study abroad pathways for Afghan students in 2026
Admission and entry are two different things. We help you win the first and plan realistically for the second. This is the situation as of September 15, 2026, verified against official sources.
United States
What is openAdmissions and financial aid remain open — nine universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT, Amherst and Dartmouth, are need-blind for international students and meet full demonstrated need.What to knowSince January 1, 2026 a presidential proclamation suspends entry for Afghan passport holders and the State Department has paused visa issuance to Afghan passports. Students already in the U.S., visas issued before that date, and dual nationals traveling on another passport are not affected.How we helpWe help you apply and, if admitted, plan a deferral, online enrollment or a third-country pathway until the policy changes.Canada
What is openStudy permits are open. Universities such as The University of British Columbia offer entrance and need-based awards.What to knowFinancial proof and English test results are required; the WES Gateway Program evaluates Afghan credentials for displaced students already in Canada.How we helpOur own Senior Partner Zeba Haqbani came to UBC through the LAAR program.Germany
What is openPublic universities charge no tuition; DAAD funds master's and doctoral study; Saarland University admitted our mentees.What to knowFinancial proof through a blocked account, and German for most bachelor's programs; many master's programs are taught in English.How we helpWe plan the language pathway with you early.United Kingdom
What is openChevening funds one-year master's degrees; many universities run their own scholarships.What to knowChevening requires two years of work experience; visa applications are made from a neighboring country.How we helpBest for graduates and early-career applicants.Türkiye
What is openTürkiye Bursları is fully funded from bachelor's to PhD, with Turkish language preparation included.What to knowApplications usually open in January and February; competition is high.How we helpA strong first route for students inside Afghanistan.Asia and the Gulf
What is openMEXT (Japan), the Global Korea Scholarship, Stipendium Hungaricum, Erasmus Mundus, the Asian University for Women (for women), the American University of Central Asia, and the Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project.What to knowEach has its own deadline and document list; several are open specifically to Afghan applicants.How we helpWe keep a deadline calendar for the cycle.Online degrees
What is openUniversity of the People is tuition-free and accredited in the United States; Arizona State University and others offer full online degrees.What to knowRequires reliable connectivity and self-discipline; some programs have small assessment fees.How we helpA real option when borders are closed, and a bridge to on-campus study later.
English tests you can take from Afghanistan
Duolingo English Test
Online from home, about one hour, accepted by thousands of universities. The most practical option from inside Afghanistan.TOEFL iBT
Test centers operate in Kabul (Kateb University, Avicenna University) and in Kandahar (male candidates only). Check ETS for current dates.IELTS
Not offered inside Afghanistan. The nearest centers are in Pakistan, Iran and India; only worth the travel if you will travel for a visa anyway.SAT and ACT
Limited availability in Afghanistan. Many universities are test-optional for international applicants, and most that require tests make exceptions where testing is unavailable — we check each policy with you.
Sessions and recordings
Register for the next meeting or subscribe to the list
Free templates and guides: CV, statement of purpose, personal essay, documents
- Template
CV and resume template for university applications
Word and PDF, so you can edit it yourself. How to present Kankor results, Shahadatnama, unpaid work and family responsibilities.Download (PDF)Word version available soon - Template
Statement of purpose template with an annotated example
For master's and PhD applications. Structure, length, and the three mistakes we see most.Download (PDF) - Guide
Personal essay guide for the Common App and Coalition
Undergraduate prompts explained, with a planning sheet and two full example essays.Download (PDF) - Guide
Recommendation letter guide for teachers
In Pashto, Dari and English — many Afghan teachers have never been asked to write one.Download (PDF) - Guide
Afghan document guide: Shahadatnama, Se-Parcha, Kankor results, transcripts
What universities need, how translation and certification work, and what to do if a document is missing.Download (PDF) - Calendar
Scholarship calendar for the 2027 admissions cycle
Deadlines by country and program, updated each month.Download (PDF) - Guide
English test guide: Duolingo English Test, TOEFL, IELTS
Which test to take from where you are, how to prepare for free, and how to send scores.Download (PDF) - Guide
Fee waiver guide
Common App, CSS Profile, university-specific waivers and test access programs.Download (PDF) - Guide
Interview preparation guide with forty practice questions
For university and scholarship interviews, with model answers.Download (PDF) - Reference
Glossary of application terms
Common App, Early Decision, SOP, LOR, CSS Profile, I-20, study permit, DAAD, Kankor and more, in three languages.Download (PDF)
Learning for Afghan girls who cannot attend school
Girls above grade six have been out of school in Afghanistan since 2021 and out of university since 2022. Roshani is a private route to keep learning, at your pace, in your language, with your safety first.
Your safety comes first
- You never need to give your real name to use the resources. A nickname is fine for your first message.
- We never publish names, photos or locations. Sessions can be audio-only.
- You choose the channel and the time. Nothing is recorded without your consent.
Free platforms in Pashto, Dari and English
Begum Academy
The complete grade 7 to 12 curriculum in Pashto and Dari, with an offline app and free certificates.SOLAX by SOLA
English classes for Afghan girls, delivered over WhatsApp with only a smartphone.Learn Afghan
Academic and professional courses in Pashto and Dari, with certificates.Arizona State University English
Free online English courses with certification, offered through Begum Academy.Khan Academy
Mathematics and science from the beginning, free.Coursera and edX
University courses with financial aid on request.
Learn new skills for free: AI, coding, data, English, writing, LinkedIn and portfolio
AI and coding
Harvard CS50, freeCodeCamp, Microsoft Learn and Kaggle Learn — then our AI and vibe coding cohort, where you build real tools.Data and research
Data literacy, spreadsheets, statistics and research writing, with practice on real Afghan-language data.English
Duolingo, BBC Learning English and Arizona State University's free courses, with a path to the Duolingo English Test.Writing, LinkedIn and portfolio
Clear writing in English, a LinkedIn profile that recruiters and admissions readers understand, and a portfolio site or GitHub that shows what you have built.Microsoft 365 for work
Teams, Outlook, Excel and SharePoint the way firms actually use them.
The team behind Ariana Academy
Hassan Ukasha
Tamana Ghaznawi
Zeba Haqbani
Diana Ayubi
Only these four mentor students directly. Around them is Tolana — a network of Afghan scholars, alumni and current students at universities worldwide, matched to you by program and university.
Why an alumni-led academy is different
Alumni-led, not agent-led
We are not an education agency and we take no commission from any university. Every mentor came through this path — the same Kankor halls, the same forms, the same first essays.One team, start to finish
Your mentor, your document reviewer and your interview coach are the same people. Nothing is outsourced.Honest about what is open
We tell you which countries are open to Afghan applicants this year and plan for the rest. We do not sell hope.No promises we cannot keep
Universities decide admission and scholarships. We make your application the strongest it can be — and we say so in writing.
Apply to Ariana Academy
Five short steps. Photos of documents are fine. Your progress is kept on this page until you send it.
- About you
- Your education
- Your goal
- Your documents
- Consent
Internships, ideas and joining the team
Become a mentor — Hamkari
Join the team — Tajruba-e-Kari
Share an idea — Ikhtiraa
Free at every stage
There is no charge for anything on this page — mentorship, document review, translation, events, templates. This is our pro bono work and our legacy: education for every Afghan who wants it.
Your privacy and safety
We understand what it means to apply from inside Afghanistan, and we apply the firm's highest standards of safety and security to students and their data.
- We collect only what an application needs. We do not ask for identity documents at the application stage.
- We never publish your name, photo or location without your written consent.
- Your documents are never shared with any university, organization or person without your consent.
- Your data is never routed through channels you have not chosen.
- Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian's consent, and we confirm it before mentoring begins.
Frequently asked questions about Ariana Academy
Is Ariana Academy really free?
Yes. Ariana Academy is the pro bono education arm of Ariana Nexus. There is no charge at any stage — not for mentorship, document review, translation, events or templates — and we take no commission from any university.
Who can apply to the LAAR mentorship program?
Afghan students anywhere in the world who plan to apply for a bachelor's, master's or PhD within the next eighteen months. Seats are limited, so we select students we can mentor through the whole process; everyone else keeps full access to the templates, guides and events.
Can students inside Afghanistan apply?
Yes. Everything happens online, in Pashto, Dari or English, over the channel you choose. We never publish names or photos, and we do not ask for identity documents at the application stage.
Can girls who are out of school apply?
Yes. Roshani is built for exactly this. You can use a nickname in your first message, join audio-only sessions, and move into university mentorship when you are ready.
Which universities have your mentees been admitted to?
Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, The University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, New York University, Arizona State University, Utah Tech University, The University of British Columbia and Saarland University, among others.
Do you guarantee admission or a scholarship?
No. Universities decide admission and funding. We make your application the strongest it can be and we are honest about your chances.
Can Afghan students still get a U.S. student visa in 2026?
As of September 2026, a presidential proclamation suspends U.S. entry for Afghan passport holders and visa issuance to Afghan passports is paused. Students already in the United States, visas issued before January 1, 2026, and dual nationals traveling on another passport are not affected. Admission remains possible; we plan deferrals, online enrollment or other countries alongside it.
Which English test can I take from inside Afghanistan?
The Duolingo English Test is taken online from home and is the most practical option. TOEFL iBT has test centers in Kabul and Kandahar. IELTS is not offered inside Afghanistan.
What documents do I need?
Your Shahadatnama (grade 12 certificate), Se-Parcha (transcript), Kankor results if you have them, university transcripts for graduate applications, and a CV. Photos of documents are fine to start; we handle translation and certification.
How are applicants selected?
On academic record and trajectory, clarity of goal, readiness in this cycle, commitment, and need. We read every application and shortlisted students have a thirty-minute conversation.
How do I know a message is really from Ariana Academy?
We write only from addresses ending in @ariananexus.com and we never ask for money. If in doubt, do not reply — contact us through this page or call the Ariana Nexus office in Washington, D.C. to verify.
How is my data protected?
We collect only what an application needs, store it under Ariana Nexus's security standards, and never share it without your consent. Our scholar safety policy is published in the Trust Center.
Contact Ariana Academy
Write to us in Pashto, Dari or English. We reply within seven days, always from an address ending in @ariananexus.com.