Liberian students studying in Morocco under the Government of Liberia’s bilateral scholarship program have formally petitioned the government to address severe financial and living challenges they have faced since their arrival in November 2024.
In a resolution dated February 27, 2025, and titled “Resolution Calling for Urgent Financial and Living Challenges Faced by Liberian Scholarship Students in Morocco,” the students detail the harsh conditions they are enduring due to the government’s failure to provide adequate financial and logistical support.
According to the resolution, the students arrived in Morocco with only $150 USD for preparation, an amount they describe as “grossly insufficient for basic survival,” and have since received no further assistance from the Liberian government. The only financial aid available to them comes from the Moroccan government through AMCI, but the students note that this support fluctuates and was never intended to replace direct funding from Liberia.
“Many students were promised dormitory accommodations but arrived to find no available spaces, forcing them to rent private housing at $60–$90 USD per month,” the resolution states. The students also revealed that they were unaware of the additional $80–$100 USD required to process residence permits, as they arrived too late to follow the usual procedure through landlords. Furthermore, registration fees of up to $100 USD, another undisclosed cost, have added to their financial burden.
The students warn that these unanticipated expenses and delayed financial support have made it difficult for them to focus on their studies. They also highlight language barriers as a major obstacle, as many courses are in Arabic or advanced French.
The resolution outlines specific demands, including the immediate disbursement of financial allowances for all Liberian scholarship students in Morocco, full reimbursement or direct coverage of rent, registration fees, and residence permit costs, and establishing a structured housing arrangement for future scholarship recipients.
“We embarked on this educational journey to gain knowledge and return home to contribute to Liberia’s development. However, instead of being supported, we feel abandoned and neglected in a foreign land,” the students wrote.
The petition urges the Government of Liberia to take swift action to resolve these issues, warning that failure will further endanger the students’ well-being and academic progress.
