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Tomooh

PepsiCo & Ajialouna Scholarship Fund

2025–26 information

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:
  • PepsiCo MENA story: PepsiCo's Tomooh Scholarship Program
  • AUB campaign page: PepsiCo & Ajialouna partner to support AUB students
  • LAU news: Tomooh Scholarship Students Spotlighted at LAU

Sources:Zawya — PepsiCo & Ajialouna launch 2021's Tomooh programThe961 — University Students Tomooh Scholarship ProgramCSR 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.

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.

Supported universities​

3

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

UniversityConfirmed by

American University of Beirut (AUB)Recipients (most recent year): ~120 students (AY 2021-22); ~253 cumulative w/ Ajialouna combined funding
AUB advancement page
Lebanese American University (LAU)Recipients (most recent year): 92 students (AY 2023-24)
LAU news + giving
Beirut Arab University (BAU)Recipients (most recent year): —
BAU student announcements

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

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).

BenefitCoverage

Tuition
USD $500 – $5,000 per student per year (scaled to financial need)
Disbursement
Paid directly to the participating university
Renewal
Renewable annually at the discretion of PepsiCo / Ajialouna; requires continued financial need + academic standing
Stipend / housing
Not included per public sources — Tomooh is tuition-only

Official program contacts

AUB Office of Financial Aid (FAID) — university-side touch-point:

LAU Financial Aid & Scholarships Office (FASO)

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.