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Tomooh Scholarship Fund (PepsiCo × Ajialouna)

Overview​

  • Provider (funder): PepsiCo International with co-funding via the PepsiCo Foundation and SMLC (Société Moderne Libanaise pour le Commerce — PepsiCo's exclusive Lebanese bottler since 1952).
  • Administrator: Ajialouna Organization — a Lebanese NGO founded 1995 by Dr. Lina Zaim Dada. Ajialouna runs the application process, selects awardees, and disburses funds directly to the universities.
  • Type: Private corporate-NGO partnership (named scholarship fund).
  • Founded: Pledged in 2003 by then-PepsiCo CEO for Asia/MENA/Africa Saad Abdul-Latif as a $1M commitment to Arab youth education; launched in Lebanon in 2006. Renewed/expanded at AUB in September 2020.
  • Annual funding: Currently approximately USD $250,000 / year (scaled up from $200K). By the program's 14th year (~2020) PepsiCo had funded 3,000+ Lebanese scholarships since launch (Executive Bulletin).
  • Status: Active for AY 2025-26 — applications continue with a June 30 annual deadline (Ajialouna — Tomooh).
  • Description: A region-wide partial-tuition scholarship for financially disadvantaged but academically deserving Lebanese youth ages 18–22. Awards are paid directly to the host institution. The program is open to all majors and faculties across 13 private and public Lebanese universities including AUB, LAU, and BAU.
  • Official links:

References: Zawya — PepsiCo & Ajialouna launch 2021's Tomooh program | The961 — University Students Tomooh Scholarship Program | CSR Middle East — 1,600 Tomooh Scholarships

Grade & background requirements​

  • Age: 18–22 years old at time of application (Ajialouna — Tomooh).
  • Academic level: Current university students enrolled in (or admitted to) one of the participating Lebanese universities. Both incoming freshmen and continuing students are eligible.
  • Academic performance: Must demonstrate outstanding academic performance (PepsiCo MENA).
  • Financial need: Required — applicants must demonstrate genuine financial need supported by documentation.
  • Nationality / gender / ability: Open to all students "irrespective of nationality, gender, race or special needs" (PepsiCo MENA). In AY 2023-24, 32 of the 177 Lebanon recipients were students with special needs (LAU news).
  • Major / faculty restrictions: None — covers all majors across all participating universities.

TODO: Specific GPA / Lebanese Baccalaureate average threshold is not publicly disclosed. "Outstanding academic performance" is the only stated standard. Contact Ajialouna at Tomooh@ajialouna.org for the current cutoff.

Application window​

  • Application route: Direct to Ajialouna — applications are submitted to and reviewed by the Ajialouna Organization, NOT the university financial-aid offices. Selected awardees are then coordinated with each university for direct tuition disbursement.
  • Deadline: June 30 annually (Ajialouna — Tomooh).
  • How to apply: Email Tomooh@ajialouna.org for the application form, or call Ajialouna's main office (+961 1 30 44 85). Online application is via the Tomooh page on ajialouna.org.

TODO: The complete required-document checklist (transcripts, ID copy, family-income documents, motivation letter, recommendations, etc.) is not published publicly. Request the current checklist from Ajialouna before assembling your file.

TODO: The selection process (interview vs. committee review vs. entrance exam) is not publicly documented.

Supported universities​

The program states it spans "13 private and public Lebanese universities" (The961). Confirmed participating universities (with public sources):

UniversityConfirmed byRecipients (most recent year)Reference
American University of Beirut (AUB)AUB advancement page~120 students (AY 2021-22); ~253 cumulative w/ Ajialouna combined fundingAUB — boldly
Lebanese American University (LAU)LAU news + giving92 students (AY 2023-24)LAU — news.lau | LAU — giving
Beirut Arab University (BAU)BAU student announcements—BAU — Tomooh announcement

Total Lebanon recipients (AY 2023-24): 177 students (32 of whom had special needs) (LAU news).

TODO: The remaining 9–10 of the 13 participating universities are not centrally listed in any public source. Contact Ajialouna for the complete partner list.

Benefits​

The Tomooh scholarship is a partial-tuition award — not a full ride — and is paid directly to the host institution (the student does not receive a cash transfer).

BenefitCoverageReference
TuitionUSD $500 – $5,000 per student per year (scaled to financial need)Takadam — Tomooh
DisbursementPaid directly to the participating universityAjialouna — Education
RenewalRenewable annually at the discretion of PepsiCo / Ajialouna; requires continued financial need + academic standingTakadam — Tomooh
Stipend / housingNot included per public sources — Tomooh is tuition-onlyPepsiCo MENA

TODO: Whether Tomooh recipients can stack with other Ajialouna programs (cash-for-rent, food security, healthcare) is not documented. Ask Ajialouna directly if you need wraparound support.

Contacts of recipients​

Past recipients who agreed to answer questions:

NameYearUniversityContact
> TODO———

Official program contacts:

Separately from the Tomooh joint program, Ajialouna runs its own "Ajialouna Scholarship" established in October 2021 and independently funded. It supports university tuition for students demonstrating financial need and good academic standing. As of the program's anniversary, Ajialouna and the Tomooh program had together supported over 12,500 Lebanese students. For details on the standalone scholarship see ajialouna.org/education or contact Ajialouna at admin@ajialouna.org.