Established in 2014, the Iran Arbabi Scholarship Program at the Iran Cultural and Educational Center (ICEC) proudly upholds its mission of supporting exceptional students within our community. For the 2026–2027 academic year, the Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that three awards of $1,500 each will be granted to:

Mr. Souren Rahbin (Valderbilt University)

Ms. Ebtesam Sajjadi (University of Maryland)

Ms. Lily Semnani (University of Pittsburgh)

These scholarships are based on evaluations conducted by an independent panel of experts, recognizing each recipient’s outstanding academic performance, meaningful community engagement, and valuable contributions to ICEC’s educational and cultural initiatives.

Souren Rahbin who will be attending Valderbilt University in his acceptance note to the Scholarship Committee wrote in part: “… I am grateful to ICEC not only for the language and culture I learned each Saturday, but for the enduring friendships and strong community it provided. The support of classmates, teachers, and parents strengthened not only my Iranian identity and encouraged me to promote authenticity and inclusivity in others, it showed me the high value of volunteerism…. Having been part of ICEC since Kindergarten, I carry its lessons with me into college and beyond, committed to fostering the same genuine and supportive community that shaped me…..”

Ebtesam Sajjadi, who is attending a graduate program at the University of Maryland wrote in part: “…Living outside Iran has deepened my appreciation for my heritage and made preserving our culture even more meaningful. I am grateful for organizations like ICEC that bring the Iranian community together, teach the value of diversity, celebrate our shared traditions, and promote community service. Receiving this scholarship is especially meaningful, as it reflects our community’s commitment to education and mutual support. As I continue my academic journey, I hope to carry these values forward by supporting other students and giving back to our community.…”

Lily Semnani, currently studying Biological Sciences on the pre‑med track at the University of Pittsburgh, has been actively involved in cultural and educational activities throughout her ten years of association with ICEC. In her acceptance note to the Scholarship Committee, she wrote in part that through this long association, she has “learned how cultural institutions can bring people together and create a sense of belonging. This has strengthened her commitment to embracing cultural diversity, serving her community, and using her education to make a positive impact on others”.

Congratulations, Souren, Ebtesam and Lily ! Have a successful academic year!

Online registration Dates: 8/10 – 9/10 2020
2026 – 2027 School Year
 

Dear ICEC Families,
 
We would like to inform you that the online registration for returning students and their siblings  and pre-registration for new families is from August 10^th through September 10th.     The returning families should login to the site and select “Register, Pay from the menu.  The link Below has information for registration for new or returning families:

https://iraneducationalcenter.org/registration-info/
 
Looking forward to welcoming you back on Saturday, September 19.
 
Iran Cultural and Educational Center

 
خانواده های گرامی،
  
بدین  وسیله به آگاهی می رسا نیم که دانش آموزان پیشن مرکزمی توانند برای سال آموزشی که ۱۹سپتامبر آغاز می شود بین  ١۰ آگوست  و۱۰  سپتامبر  در سامانه مرکزنام نویسی کنند. ازشما درخواست می شود که نام نویسی فرزندانتان را تا پیش از ۱۰ سپتامبر انجام دهید. همچنین نام نویسی دانش آموزان جدید هم از ۱۰ آگوست آغاز می شود

.پیوند زیر شما را به بخش نام نویسی سامانه مرکز رهبری خواهد کرد

https://iraneducationalcenter.org/registration-info/
 
،با سپاس و به امید دیدارتان در روز شنبه ۱۹ سپتامبر

مرکز فرهنگی و آموزشی ایران

Iran Cultural and Educational Center

Iran Arbabi Scholarship

The Iran Arbabi Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students of Iranian descent entering or attending an accredited post-secondary institution. The scholarship is granted annually to at least one eligible applicant, selected based on the eligibility criteria listed below. An independent Selection Committee consisting of distinguished scholars and chaired by a member of the ICEC Board of Trustees screens applications. Members of the Selection Committee may also interview the finalists. The recipient(s) may use the scholarship to attend a U.S. based college or university accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education, in a full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program. Scholarships are not limited to any specific field or career objective and may be used to pursue any academic discipline for undergraduate or graduate studies.

2026-2027 Scholarship

For the academic year 2026-2027, up to two separate scholarships of $1500 each ($750 each semester) will be awarded to applicants who meet the eligibility requirements and are selected by the Selection Committee.

Basic Requirements

Applicants should meet the following requirements to be considered for the Iran Arbabi Scholarship. They must:

1. Be of Iranian descent.
2. Lawfully reside in the Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia, United States.
3. List your Persian community activities that promote Persian culture and heritage to include, but not limited to, attendance at a Farsi language school, participation in Persian art or cultural group (music, dance, theater, etc.), volunteer activities for a Persian community-based charity, active participation in a Persian student association, etc.
4. Attend, or be accepted for attendance, at a college or university, physically located in the U.S., accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education, in a full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program.
5. If attending, or accepted for attendance in, an undergraduate program:
6. a) Possess a high school diploma, or the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma,
7. b) Have good academic standing (GPA of 0 or higher)
8. If attending a graduate program:
9. a) Possess proof of successful completion of undergraduate studies, i.e., bachelor’s degree.

All participants need to:

1. Complete and submit a Scholarship Application
2. Two letters of recommendation; at least one letter should be from an instructor/professor or other high school/college professional.
3. An official transcript with the high-school or college seal on
4. List your participation in Persian communities’ activities that promote Persian culture and heritage to include, but not limited to, attendance at a Farsi language school, participation in Persian art or cultural (music, dance, theater, etc.) activities for Persian community-based charity and/or not-for-profit organizations, active participation in non-political Persian student associations, etc.
5. Two one-page essays on:
   1. What are your dreams and aspirations?
   2. How has your cultural heritage formed the person you are, and in what way will this serve you as an asset to promote Persian language and culture in the future?

Transcripts and letters of recommendation should not be sent separately. Incomplete, e-mailed, or faxed applications will not be considered.

Important Application Dates

The Application Form is available for download from the ICEC website at: https://iraneducationalcenter.org/scholarship-application/

July 17, 2026 Final postmarked deadline in order to be considered for the 2026- 2027 Scholarship Program. Application materials must be mailed in one packet to ICEC mailing address at:

Iran Abrabi Scholarship Program Iran Cultural and Educational Center

14644 Pinto Lane, Rockville, MD 20850-3536

Incomplete, e-mailed, or faxed applications will not be considered.

August 17, 2025: Winners of the scholarship will be notified, and names will be posted on the ICEC web site.

Scholarship Conditions

The Iran Arbabi Scholarships may be used to supplement existing benefits from the student’s college or university, or from other foundations or organizations. Funds will be paid to selected candidates upon receiving transcripts and proof of course registration and enrollment. Although the scholarship is merit-based, in cases of equal merits, financial need may be taken into consideration in awarding a scholarship. If the Scholarship Committee determines that financial need will be taken into consideration, the applicant may be required to provide financial information at a later time.

A recipient’s scholarship can be revoked if the student:

• fails to graduate from high
• fails to enroll in an institution of higher education in the year for which the scholarship was awarded (the scholarship cannot be deferred).
• fails to comply with the rules, regulations, or conditions of the institution the student attends; or
• receives the scholarship through error or contrary to
• Retroactive payment of the scholarship and deferment of awarded scholarship is not permitted.

بسته بودن کلاس های مرکز  روز شنبه  ۳۱ ماه ژانویه ۲۰۲۶

، خانواده های گرامی

.به سبب هوای نا مناسب، کلاس های مرکز فرهنگی و آموزشی ایران روز  شنبه  ۳۱ ماه ژانویه برگزار نخواهند شد

.به امید دیدارتان شنبه آینده، ۷ ماه فوریه

مرکز فرهنگی و آموزشی ایران

School Closing on Saturday January 31st, 2026

Dear ICEC Community,

Due to the weather conditions, Farsi classes will not be held on Saturday, January 31st, 2026. We look forward to seeing you next Saturday, February 7^th. 

ICEC