Admission Targets Policy for Low-Income Students

Policy Statement

An-Najah National University is committed to widening access to higher education for students from low-income households, particularly those from the lowest 20% of household income. The University recognizes that financial hardship should never be a barrier to talent, and it therefore sets measurable admission targets and provides comprehensive academic, financial, and material support to ensure that these students can enroll, persist, and graduate.

Scope

This policy applies to all applicants and enrolled students from low-income households across all governorates of Palestine, in diploma, bachelor's, and graduate programs, without discrimination of any kind.

Definitions

• Economically Disadvantaged Students: Individuals from the lowest 20% of household income according to nationally recognized data.

• Admission Targets: A minimum proportion of admitted students each academic year from economically disadvantaged groups.

Purpose

• Expand access to higher education for low-income students through clear, measurable targets.

• Build a student body that reflects the socioeconomic diversity of Palestinian society.

• Remove the financial and material barriers that prevent low-income students from completing their studies.

• Support social and economic upward mobility through education.

Procedures

• Allocate a minimum of 25% of annual admissions to students from disadvantaged and low-income backgrounds.

• Review admission targets every three years in light of national socioeconomic data and institutional performance.

• Partner with schools, youth centers, and NGOs to identify and reach eligible students.

• Run pre-college orientation and guidance workshops for prospective low-income students and their families.

• Consider applicants' socioeconomic background alongside academic performance in admission decisions.

Supportive Measures

To ensure that low-income students can enroll and succeed, the University provides the following measures to eligible students from low-income households:

1. Application Fee Waivers: full waiver of application fees for disadvantaged applicants.

2. Registration Fee Exemptions: eligible students are fully exempted from registration fees upon admission and at each semester's enrollment.

3. Scholarships: full and partial need-based scholarships, including Outreach Scholarships for high-performing students identified through community partnerships.

4. Tuition Discounts: discounts on tuition fee installments, determined according to the student's verified financial need.

5. Student Loans: interest-free or low-cost student loans as financial assistance, with flexible repayment terms that begin after graduation.

6. Transportation Support: free or discounted transportation vouchers to cover daily commuting costs to and from campus.

7. Food Support: free or discounted meal vouchers redeemable at university cafeterias and food outlets.

8. Free Used Textbooks: a university-run program that collects used textbooks and distributes them free of charge to eligible students.

9. Laptop Provision: free laptops, or long-term laptop loans, so students have the digital tools their studies require.

10. Study Supplies: free essential academic supplies, such as stationery, lab coats, and course-specific tools, distributed at the start of each semester.

11. Bridge/Preparatory Programs: programs that strengthen skills in mathematics, language, and science before university entry.

Principles

• Equity and Fairness: equal opportunity regardless of financial circumstances.

• Inclusion and Diversity: a student body representative of all segments of society.

• Transparency: public reporting on progress toward admission targets and support provided.

• Dignity and Confidentiality: support is provided discreetly, protecting students' privacy.

• Sustainability: long-term commitment and stable funding for supportive measures.

Monitoring

Implementation of this policy is monitored jointly by the following units, each within its area of responsibility:

• Deanship of Student Affairs: monitors the number of beneficiaries of each supportive measure (scholarships, discounts, loans, vouchers, textbooks, laptops, and study supplies), and tracks student satisfaction and the impact of support.

• Deanship of Admission and Registration: tracks admission and enrollment data by income group, and measures progress toward the 25% admission target, retention, and graduation rates.

• Financial Department: monitors the budget allocated to the supportive measures, the disbursement of scholarships, discounts, and loans, and loan repayment.

• Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs: oversees the overall implementation of the policy, reviews the academic performance of beneficiary students, and consolidates the monitoring reports.

A consolidated annual report is submitted to the University Council, and key results are published to the public. Periodic independent audits are conducted to verify the accuracy of reported data.

Accountability

• Deanship of Admission and Registration: executes the admission targets and outreach procedures.

• Deanship of Student Affairs: determines eligibility and manages the delivery of all supportive measures to students.

• Financial Department: manages the funding, fee exemptions, tuition discounts, scholarships, and student loans, and ensures proper financial control.

• University Senate: oversees the admission targets and approves their periodic review.

• Partnership Units: coordinate with schools, youth centers, and NGOs.

Effective Date: December 17, 2022

Previous Review Date: June 26, 2024

Last Update:  May 14, 2026