SDG 1: NO POVERTY

1.3.2 Does your university as a body have graduation/completion targets for students who fall into the bottom 20% of household income group in the country? (domestic)

University Initiatives for Low-Income Students

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Al-Maarefa University operates a structured scholarships and financial-aid program including merit scholarships, discounts and partnerships with financing/payment providers to enable students to continue their studies and graduate. These financial supports reduce the likelihood of dropout due to inability to pay tuition [1].

New students

Comments:

For Saudi high school graduates:

Weighted percentage = 30% of high school GPA + 40% of the achievement test score + 30% of the General Aptitude Test score.

For American curriculum graduates:

Weighted percentage = 70% of the SAT score or equivalent + 30% of high school GPA.

SAT score calculation: (SAT score ÷ 100) × 1600 = Final score

Then calculate the percentage: (70% × Final score) + (30% × High school GPA).

For international high school graduates or those from outside the Kingdom (which do not require the General Aptitude Test and Achievement Test):

• Only the cumulative high school GPA is used as the weighted percentage.
• The English language certificate is valid for two years from its issuance date.

Scholarships for regular students

Scholarships for outstanding students

Outstanding continuing students from the 2022 cohort and earlier (222) are granted a semester scholarship, provided they meet the scholarship requirements, and receive a payment discount as specified for each category, in the event of adherence to payment according to the specified date for semester tuition fees, starting after the first academic year, as follows:

Outstanding continuing students from the 2023 cohort and beyond (231) will be granted a semester scholarship, provided they meet the scholarship requirements, and will receive a payment discount as specified for each category, provided they adhere to the payment schedule for semester tuition fees, starting after the first academic year, as follows:

Additional multi-skills:

Obtain an IELTS score or equivalent (6 for medicine, 4.5 for other majors). Or pass the "Progress Test" as determined by the college board.

The validity period of the English language certificate is two years from its date.

Combining the English language discount with the comprehensive test discount is not permitted.

Excellence Table for Batch 231 and beyond

Scholarships for industrial engineering majors

Excellence scholarships for postgraduate studies for graduates of Almaarefa University

Excellence scholarships for postgraduate studies for graduates of Almaarefa University

Scholarship guidelines:

• The student is required to pay 50% of the basic tuition fees before the start of the semester.
• The student is not allowed to combine any scholarship or discount offered by the university
• The internship program is not included
• Excellence Scholarships for Continuing Students are quarterly regression grants; To determine the student's eligibility for it or not, and it is not an annual grant.

Social Development Bank

Al Maarefa University operates a comprehensive scholarships and financial-aid portfolio (merit awards, discounts, and partner-financed options). Partnerships with Social Development Bank channels and third-party instalment providers are expressly listed to reduce students’ up-front payment burdens and help sustain their studies to completion [2].

Jeelpay in partnership with Almaarefa University

JeelPay lists Al Maarefa among institutional partners — independent confirmation that the instalment/payment mechanism is available to Al Maarefa students as a subsidised/credit-facilitating channel [3].

Scholarship controls

• The student is required to pay 50% of the basic tuition fees before the start of the semester.
• The student is not allowed to combine any scholarship or discount offered by the university
• The internship program is not included
• Excellence Scholarships for Continuing Students are quarterly regression grants; To determine the student's eligibility for it or not, and it is not an annual grant.

Academic and Social Support

Programs aimed at supporting students’ academic performance and well-being are in place, helping reduce drop-out rates among vulnerable groups.

Monitoring and Mentorship

Al Maarefa tracks the progress of financially supported students to provide tailored assistance, including counseling and career guidance.

Saudi Vision 2030

Saudi Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on inclusivity, equity, and the expansion of educational opportunities for students from low-income households. Within this national framework, AlMaarefa University aligns its institutional policies with government priorities by ensuring that students in the bottom 20% income bracket receive targeted support to facilitate their academic progression and completion.

National programs such as need-based financial aid, stipends, and other forms of economic support, strengthen the university’s efforts by reducing financial barriers that may hinder student retention and graduation. These initiatives work in tandem with AlMaarefa’s internal support mechanisms to help low-income students persist in their studies and successfully complete their academic programs [4].

Admissions conditions and Tuition fees

Admission conditions and tuition structure are published openly; transparency on fees and payment channels (including installments) supports students’ planning and may reduce mid-course dropout linked to unexpected costs [5].

• Be of good conduct.
• Not be subject to disciplinary dismissal from another university.
• To successfully pass any test or personal interview decided by the University Council.
• To be medically fit according to the medical examination approved by the university in accordance with the admission requirements for each specialty.
• Must meet any other conditions determined by the University Council and announced at the time of application.
• Payment of admission fees, which are non-refundable.
• Payment of tuition fees for the semester according to the fees applicable to each major.
  The link to the Tuition Fees and Refund Policies on the website..
• Admission to the university is subject to competition among applicants according to admission criteria and availability of seats.
• Courses that the student has completed and passed can be equated in accordance with the executive rules of the study regulations.

The exams for the undergraduate level as announced on the university's website.

Student handbook / Program regulations (graduation rules)

Program handbooks define progression and graduation criteria (GPA thresholds, exam regulations, probation rules). Clear academic rules are essential to monitor completion and provide interventions for at-risk students. Al Maarefa University is one of the leading universities in the establishment of the department of respiratory care, which has an important role in the preparation and graduation of respiratory therapists needed by our dear country. Within the framework of the university's vision and mission, the department offers a comprehensive and high-level academic role in which theoretical studies are integrated with practical applications to prepare a distinguished graduate who can compete for jobs nationally, regionally and internationally. Our academic staff consists of a distinguished group of faculty members who work hard to serve our students in all aspects of scientific, practical and social life. This handbook is prepared to provide you with all the necessary information about the program, including study plan, and other several important details. This will serve as a reference guide as you proceed through your college life as a respiratory care student [6].

University news/events - partnerships with JeelPay / Social Development Bank

Al-Maarefa’s news and event pages show partnerships and awareness sessions with financing providers (JeelPay) and the Social Development Bank to educate students about financing options — measures that help prevent interruptions in study due to cash-flow problems. As part of #Diriyah Governorate and #AlMaarefa University marking #Gulf_Healthy_Cities_Day and #National_Walking_Day, the university interacts with a professional health team to educate the local community about the vital role of regular physical activity in avoiding chronic diseases [7] [8].

Al-Riyadh press article - Social Charity Fund beneficiaries

National press coverage documents instances where students at the college/university were sponsored by Social Charity Fund programs — evidence of historical channels that supported completion for needy students. The Social Charity Fund and Al-Maarefa Private College of Science and Technology signed an educational grant agreement between the two parties within the framework of the Ministry of Social Affairs’ directives. The Social Charity Fund was represented by Adel bin Naseem Farhat, while Al-Maarefa College of Science and Technology was represented by Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulrahman Al-Mulhem, Dean of the College.

Dr. Zaid Al-Zamil, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Maarefa College, explained that the agreement stipulates the admission of 80 male and female students for the 1432-1433 AH academic year to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The Social Welfare Fund will cover tuition fees, while Al-Maarefa College will provide the students with education and equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to improve their living conditions. He clarified that the target beneficiaries of this agreement are children from needy families receiving social security benefits, as well as those from approved charitable organizations, charitable housing projects, the Prisoners' Welfare Committee, orphanages, and the National Committee for Drug Control. Priority will be given to children from families receiving social security benefits. The agreement's duration is the same as the students' enrollment at the college [9].

THE Impact / MDPI sector analyses

THE Impact 2025 file and MDPI [10].

Sector reports and impact-rank analyses show many Saudi HEIs report SDG-related activities but rarely publish quantified graduation targets by household-income quintile; this contextual evidence suggests the absence of public targets at Al-Maarefa is not unique in the national landscape. Higher education institutions (HEIs) primarily serve as centers of knowledge, capacity builders, and policy influencers and choose to voluntarily engage with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs) as they are not mandated to implement them. In this paper, we examine the role of Saudi Arabian higher education institutions (HEIs) in sustainability efforts through their participation in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (THE IR) from 2019 to 2024. Also, the strategic alignment of HEIS with sustainability frameworks is assessed, emphasizing their contributions beyond ranking participation. Using the European University Association (EUA) and the UN-KSA Cooperation Framework (2022–2026), this study identifies both achievements and strategic gaps in HEIs’ contributions. Additionally, a comparative analysis with the Saudi Arabian Sustainable Development Report (SDR) of 2024 explores HEIs broader contributions. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) is applied to classify HEIs based on SDG engagement, identifying leading, partnering, and supporting HEIs for potential collaboration. The findings reveal a significant increase in HEI participation, rising from 4% in 2019 to 49% in 2024. However, persistent gaps exist, particularly in SDGs 1–2 and 12–15 (addressed by fewer than 10% of HEIs) and SDGs 7, 9–11, and 16 (targeted by fewer than 25% of HEIs). This study highlights the need for a structured strategic alignment beyond rankings, positioning HEIs as enablers of sustainability driven education, research, and institutional governance [11].

References