Global hubs
Wanjiru

Wanjiru

Cleaner

GlobalEnglish (English)$ USD

Wanjiru is a hardworking cleaner navigating life in a globalized economy, looking for ways to upskill, access international aid, or find support for her family's future. This hub aggregates the global portals, fellowships, and support systems that transcend national borders to help her improve her circumstances.

Learning new skills for free

Accessing high-quality education without the burden of tuition fees is the fastest way to change career paths.

Coursera Financial Aid

private · Coursera

Who qualifies
Anyone unable to afford the cost of a certificate course.
What you get
Full or partial waiver of fees for professional certificates.
What it actually costs you
Requires a written application explaining your financial situation and career goals.
Common gotcha
You must apply for each course individually before starting the content.

edX Financial Assistance

private · edX

Who qualifies
Learners demonstrating financial need.
What you get
Up to 90% discount on verified certificates.
What it actually costs you
Application form detailing your income and reason for taking the course.
Common gotcha
The discount does not apply to all programs, specifically some professional master's degrees.

Google Career Certificates Scholarship

private · Google

Who qualifies
Individuals seeking entry-level roles in tech, data, or project management.
What you get
Free access to high-demand professional training.
What it actually costs you
Time commitment of 3-6 months; no prior experience needed.
Common gotcha
The scholarship is often distributed through local NGO partners, not just the website.

Khan Academy

private · Khan Academy

Who qualifies
Anyone with an internet connection.
What you get
Free world-class education in math, science, and humanities.
What it actually costs you
Zero cost, just your time and internet data.
Common gotcha
It is excellent for foundational knowledge but does not offer formal accredited degrees.

LinkedIn Learning Free Paths

private · LinkedIn

Who qualifies
Users with a LinkedIn account.
What you get
Access to specific skill-path courses for free during promotional windows.
What it actually costs you
Requires a LinkedIn profile and consistent internet access.
Common gotcha
Free access is often time-limited or tied to specific career-path initiatives.

Duolingo English Test Aid

private · Duolingo

Who qualifies
Students demonstrating financial hardship.
What you get
Fee waivers for English proficiency testing.
What it actually costs you
Emailing their support team with proof of financial need.
Common gotcha
Fee waivers are limited and granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Scholarships and Fellowships

International mobility can provide life-changing opportunities for education and professional growth.

Chevening Scholarships

national · UK Government

Who qualifies
Mid-career professionals with leadership potential.
What you get
Fully funded master's degree in the UK.
What it actually costs you
Rigorous application process including essays and interviews.
Common gotcha
You must return to your home country for at least two years after the scholarship ends.

Fulbright Foreign Student Program

national · US Department of State

Who qualifies
Graduate students, artists, and young professionals.
What you get
Funding for study or research in the US.
What it actually costs you
Extensive application process; highly competitive.
Common gotcha
Eligibility varies significantly by your home country's specific Fulbright commission.

DAAD Scholarships

national · German Academic Exchange Service

Who qualifies
Graduates and researchers from developing countries.
What you get
Full funding for postgraduate studies in Germany.
What it actually costs you
Language proficiency requirements (German or English).
Common gotcha
Deadlines are often a year in advance of the start date.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters

national · European Union

Who qualifies
Students worldwide with a bachelor's degree.
What you get
Full scholarships for joint master's programs across multiple EU countries.
What it actually costs you
High competition; requires strong academic records.
Common gotcha
You must apply to the specific university consortium, not the EU directly.

Rhodes Scholarship

trust · Rhodes Trust

Who qualifies
Exceptional students with high academic and character standards.
What you get
Full funding for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.
What it actually costs you
Extremely rigorous selection process; requires strong references.
Common gotcha
The age limit is strict and varies by country.

Rotary Foundation Global Grants

trust · Rotary International

Who qualifies
Individuals working in humanitarian areas.
What you get
Funding for graduate studies or humanitarian projects.
What it actually costs you
Requires sponsorship by a local Rotary club.
Common gotcha
You need to find a local club willing to support your application early on.

When things go wrong

Knowing where to turn for international protection or emergency aid can be a lifeline.

UNHCR Protection and Assistance

national · UNHCR

Who qualifies
Refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons.
What you get
Legal protection, emergency shelter, and basic aid.
What it actually costs you
Registration with local UNHCR offices.
Common gotcha
Processing times can be very long depending on the region.

ICRC Restoring Family Links

trust · International Committee of the Red Cross

Who qualifies
People separated from family due to conflict or disaster.
What you get
Assistance in locating and contacting missing family members.
What it actually costs you
No cost; requires detailed information about the missing person.
Common gotcha
Success depends heavily on the security situation in the area of search.

WFP Emergency Food Assistance

national · World Food Programme

Who qualifies
People in areas of extreme food insecurity or conflict.
What you get
Direct food aid or cash-based transfers.
What it actually costs you
Registration in WFP-managed distribution programs.
Common gotcha
Access is often restricted to specific, high-need zones.

MSF Medical Aid

trust · Médecins Sans Frontières

Who qualifies
People in regions with no access to basic healthcare.
What you get
Emergency medical treatment and surgical care.
What it actually costs you
No cost; services are provided based on need.
Common gotcha
MSF operates in specific crisis zones; they are not a general health provider.

IOM Migrant Assistance

national · International Organization for Migration

Who qualifies
Migrants in vulnerable situations.
What you get
Voluntary return assistance and reintegration support.
What it actually costs you
Application through IOM offices in the host country.
Common gotcha
Support is often tied to specific return-to-home-country programs.

UNICEF Child Protection Services

national · UNICEF

Who qualifies
Children in vulnerable or emergency situations.
What you get
Education, nutrition, and protection services.
What it actually costs you
Access through local UNICEF-supported community centers.
Common gotcha
Services are usually delivered through local government partnerships.

Digital tools for work

Free or low-cost access to professional software and platforms helps in finding better work.

GitHub Global Campus

private · GitHub

Who qualifies
Students with a valid school email.
What you get
Free access to industry-standard developer tools.
What it actually costs you
Verification of student status.
Common gotcha
You must have a school-issued email address to qualify.

Canva for Nonprofits

private · Canva

Who qualifies
Registered non-profit organizations.
What you get
Free access to premium design tools.
What it actually costs you
Proof of non-profit registration status.
Common gotcha
You must be a registered entity; individual activists usually don't qualify.

Microsoft 365 Education

private · Microsoft

Who qualifies
Students and teachers at eligible institutions.
What you get
Free access to Office apps like Word and Excel.
What it actually costs you
Verification of your school email.
Common gotcha
The license expires once you leave the educational institution.

Adobe Student Discount

private · Adobe

Who qualifies
Students and teachers.
What you get
Over 60% off the standard subscription price.
What it actually costs you
Proof of enrollment.
Common gotcha
The price increases significantly after the first year.

Notion Personal Pro Free

private · Notion

Who qualifies
Students and educators.
What you get
Free access to Pro features.
What it actually costs you
Must use a school email address.
Common gotcha
You must switch your account to the Education plan in settings.

Zoom Education Plan

private · Zoom

Who qualifies
Educational institutions and their staff.
What you get
Enhanced meeting features for teaching.
What it actually costs you
Organization-level verification.
Common gotcha
Individual students cannot sign up; the institution must register.