Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

  1. What kind of expenses does HappyHelpers cover?

It provides ONLY embassy appointments, SEVIS fees, and a one-way ticket to the US.

  1. When are the deadlines for application?

The deadlines are subject to change. We suggest you check the announcements on our social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram) for the most up-to-date information about deadlines. 

The deadline for the students entering the US in Spring is around October. If you are entering the US in Fall 2022, the deadline would be around May 2022. 

  1. Who is eligible to apply for Happy Helpers funds? (Minimum Requirements?)

Any Persian-speaking students residing in Iran, who are fully funded by universities ONLY in the USA.

  1. Do we cover Canada or Europe? 

No, ONLY USA. 

  1. Does HappyHelpers provide aid to all traveling students?

We would like to, but the number of applicants exceeds our available budget. 

  1. When does a student need to donate back? And how?

Granted students can donate back when they are settled down in the USA and have received their source of funding. (e.g. they can donate back in monthly installments of $50 $50 after three or four months of receiving funding).

  1. Can I apply again? 

Yes, you can apply as many times as you want to. 

  1. How can we contact HappyHelpers?

You can send an email to “happyhelpers@iaboston.org” or “happy.helpers.apply@gmail.com”. 

  1. What happens to my granted ticket aid if I have to defer my application? 

You need to apply again for the next semester.

  1. What are the benefits of the donations (tax deductions)

Iranian Association of Boston provides the tax deduction documents at the end of the year to be used for your tax return purposes.

  1. What are other assistances that HH offers besides financial aid? Would Happy Helpers provide services like application consultation, editing CV, etc? 

There is no other assistance or help than the “embassy appointment, SEVIS fees, and the one-way ticket to the US”.

  1. Where can I find the donation link?

Here is the donation link: https://square.link/u/mpqfsSFc

  1. Can people from Iran help HH?

We appreciate your help and support, but unfortunately, we cannot get any help or support from Iran.

  1. Does a person from HappyHelpers directly contact people? 

There would not be any correspondence transaction or contact from HappyHelpers officers’ personal contacts. The ONLY way HappyHelpers contact other people is by email.

  1. Can I pay half of my ticket and HappyHelpers pays the other half? 

Unfortunately, no.

  1. How does HappyHelpers choose their applicants?

There is a grading system based on the data you provide in the application form. The high-ranking applications will enter the second round of review by all the officers, during which a list of successful applicants will be finalized. The number of successful applicants depends on our budget in each application cycle.  

  1. Does it matter where I got my admission?

No, Happy Helpers provides need-based financial assistance. We do not make decisions based on academic merits. 

  1. Can we pay for other expenses like the application fee, airplane ticket for Visa, etc? 

No, HappyHelpers ONLY covers embassy appointments, SEVIS fees, and the one-way ticket to the US.

  1. What is the timeline to buy the ticket or pay the embassy fees? 

HappyHelpers reaches out to the granted applicants about what type of aid they need based on their needs and timeline. It takes a couple of days to pay the Sevis or Appointment Fee, but the ticket requires confirmation from the applicant, and the paperwork to the Iranian Association of Boston (IAB) that requires more time. 

  1. What is the Happy Helpers SOP?

1-page explanation of why you need this aid.For more information:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLo2x1qAft1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Children Library Committee

Children Library Committee

Mission: To promote and facilitate use of Farsi language and literature among the Greater Boston Community especially children.

One of the main projects at hand is to design and launch the Library’s website where people can search current books, reserve and check them out.  We have purchased newer children books in an attempt to improve our content. Currently we hold about 3000 Books for adults and more than 800 books for Children. 

Another project that the Children Library Subcommittee is working on is the Farsi children story times. Starting this December, every other Friday night, children will come to IAB Library, in their Pajamas, meet new friends, listen to Farsi books and stories and enjoy their pizza and go home with good memories associated with Farsi speaking environment.

Many more events around the books are to come for both grownups and children. Stay tuned!

Follow IAB’s Facebook, Telegram, Instagram pages to get the latest news on those events.

Cultural Committee

Cultural Committee

Mission:  The Cultural Committee mission is to promote cultural activities of IAB through programs, including, but not limited to, lectures and performances, in areas such as literature and poetry, music, performing arts, history, social sciences, and cultural anthropology.

Year 2022

This year the committee facilitated many virtual presentation and after re-opening IAB facility, held one in person presentation. We are honored to host the following respected speakers.
  • Prof. Koroush Kian
  • Prof. Ervand Abrahamian
  • Mr. Pejman Hadadi
  • Dr. Alireza Badakhshan
  • Prof. Nima JanMohammadi
  • Dr. Samei
  • Prof. Nima JanMohammadi
September, October, November programs were cancelled
 

Year 2021

This committee already raised $2655 and we are hoping at least to double this amount.

 

During the past year more than 700 people attended the various virtual presentations.

We were fortunate and honored to have the following distinguished guests, on monthly bases. Topics of discussions broadly covered disciplines such as art, architecture, culture, history, science, social science, poetry, and film.

Jan – Dr. Ali Banuazizi – Recent Debates on Iranian Cultural Identity and Nationalism

Feb – Dr. Shahla Haerri – Women and Political Leadership in Muslim Societies

Mar – Dr. Abbas Amanat – The Coup 1921 and Beginning of the Pahlavi Era: Reassessing an Enduring Legacy

Apr – Dr. Abbas Milani – Sa’di and an Iranian Modernity

May – Professor Cumrun Vafa – Basic Aspects of String Theory

Jun – Mr. Nader Ardalan – Effect of Persian culture on Historical building such as

Iran Center of Management Studies (Harvard Business School Extension)

Jul – Dr. Touraj Daryaee – The Culture of Iranshahr

Aug – Bahman Panahi – Calligraphy and Musicalligraphy

Aug – Film – The Night of Infatuation

Sep – Dr. John Ghazvinian – America and Iran, A History, 1720 to the present

Oct1 – Ms. Rakhshan Banietemad, Mr. Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, and Dr. Jamsheed Akrami – Documentary film, Touran Khanom

Oct – Dr. Kourosh Kian – Shahnameh – The story of Zaal.

Dec 10th – Iranian Women Authors- Parinaz Gharehgozloo Eleish & Shadi Hamedi.