Conflict In Libya Has College Students Worried About Future

DENVER (CBS4)- The conflict in Libya has college students in Colorado worried about their future. Libyan students whose educations are being paid for by the Libyan government have been told their scholarships will be cut off within days.

There are about 2,500 Libyan students in North America, with some 400 in Colorado.

"We are worried, sick worried about our families back home," said Libyan student Gasem Rashwan.

Rashwan is an electrical engineering student at the University of Denver. When his homeland erupted in violence, the Libyan government, which pays his tuition and expenses, said the funding will end in May due to the conflict.

Many Libyan students received word from the Canadian Bureau for International Education, the organization that distributes the money to the students.

"A large number of these students are married with kids. We are talking about a human crisis in the U.S. People cannot pay their rent, they must have health insurance," said Rashwan.

Many students are contacting attorneys, diplomats and U.S. Senators trying to find a solution. So far, they've been told to apply for a hardship that would allow them to work in Colorado to earn money to pay for school. The application process could take months.