Funding the next generation of Somali students.
Introduced in 2023, our Community Scholarship Fund supports Somaali students across the GTA as they pursue higher education.
Funded entirely by the community, with every dollar going directly to students.
$58k
Total raised
35
Students funded
3
Years running
100%
To students
About the fund
Built by the community, for the community.
We launched the fund in 2023 to ease the financial pressure that pushes many Somaali students to put their education on hold. We raised $12,000 in our first year.
In 2025, the community raised $25,000 in under 2 months. Every contribution goes directly toward tuition, textbooks, and registration costs for students who need it most.
Who can apply
Eligibility
Identify as Somali
Live in the GTA
Enrolled in a post-secondary program
Demonstrated financial need
No prior degree or diploma
Commitment to community service
Named scholarships
Scholarships with a name behind them.
Alongside the general fund, we partner with organisations and families to create named scholarships, each one supporting a specific field or honouring a legacy within the community.
EPIC Say Somaali Infectious Disease Scholarship
Awarded by the Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium at the University of Toronto to support inclusive, interdisciplinary student work in infectious disease research and prevention.
Somtech Wireless Scholarship
Awards Somaali youth who demonstrate strong leadership and community involvement, provided by SomTech Wireless, a trusted business serving the Weston-Lawrence neighbourhood.
Ayeeyo Amina Bureed Scholarship
Honours Ayeeyo Amina Bureed's legacy of community care and upliftment, supporting students in the spirit of her lifelong generosity.
Ali & Dahabo Legacy Scholarship for Future Leaders
Supports future leaders who embody strength, perseverance, deen and daqan, in honour of Ayeeyo Dahabo and Awowe Ali.
Xaawo Xasan Kharab Memorial Scholarship
Supports a graduate student doing coursework or research related to the study of Somaali People or Somali Territories.
Our recipients
Meet the students behind the numbers
Over 30 Somaali students across the Greater Toronto Area have received direct financial support for their education since 2023.
Abdullahi Shire
Software Engineering
Ontario Tech University
Ali Hassan
Journalism
Toronto Metropolitan University
Asiya Ali
Medical School
University of Toronto
Fayzal Abdullahi
Engineering
York University
Hafsa Abdulsamed
Psychospiritual Studies
University of Toronto
Ifrah Ismail
Human Biology & African Studies
University of Toronto
Ikran Yusuf
Nutrition & Dietetics
Toronto Metropolitan University
Karima Bana
Creative Industries
Toronto Metropolitan University
Khalid Osman
Life Sciences
University of Toronto
Miski Mohammed
Business Management
Toronto Metropolitan University
Munira Abdirahman
Nursing
Humber College
Rayaan Tahlil
Child and Youth Care
Centennial College
Shahad Habib
Social Work
York University
Shukri Abdi
Legal Studies
Waterloo University
Adna Moalin
Health Science
Queens University
Aesha Jama
Public Health
Toronto Metropolitan University
Ahmed Abukar
Public Health
Toronto Metropolitan University
Amina Ahmed
Life Science
McMaster University
Fahad Ahmed
Computer Systems Technician
Seneca college
Hana Hashi
Psychology
Toronto Metropolitan University
Hashim Mohamed
Statistics
University of Toronto
Hibaq Mohamed
Political Science
York University
Kawsar Abdulle
Global Health
McMaster University
Osob Sadiq
Educational Studies
York University
Salma Mohamed
Biomedical Engineering
Toronto Metropolitan University
Asma Adam
Public Health
University of Toronto
Ashwaq Egeh
Educational Studies
York University
Isra Bashir
Life Sciences
McMaster University
Khadija Mohamed
Public Health
Toronto Metropolitan University
Mohamed Mohamed
Computer Science
York University
Saharla Ali
Electrical Engineering
University of Waterloo
Samah Musse
Molecular Biology, Immunology and Disease
University of Toronto Scarborough
Shuaib Ahmed
Cybersecurity
Sheridan College
Sukayna Sabriye
Child and Youth Care
Toronto Metropolitan University
Zakaria Mohamed
Computer Science
York University
In their words
What the scholarship made possible
Asma Adam
Public Health · University of Toronto · 2023
"The scholarship meant more than the money itself. It told me my work was seen and valued, and it let me focus on my studies without the constant financial pressure on my family."
Ashwaq Egeh
Educational Studies · York University · 2023
"As the first person in my family to attend university, the scholarship pushed me to keep going. It motivated me to work harder and to find ways to give back to my community."
How to donate
3 ways to support a student
Contribution
Any amount
Added to the general scholarship pool, with every dollar reaching a student.
e.g. The Say Somaali Community Scholarship
Donate →Named scholarship
$1,500+
The award carries your name or that of a loved one as a lasting legacy.
e.g. The Ayeeyo Amina Bureed Scholarship
Get in touch →Sponsored scholarship
$3,500+
Your organisation is tied to a student's success in a field of your choice.
e.g. EPIC Say Somaali Scholarship
Get in touch →