10 Families Will Win $5,400 Scholarships This August—Here's How

Klaus Schmidt · 2026-08-01

If you're planning a back-to-school shopping trip in Dubai this August, you might walk away with more than just new notebooks and uniforms. Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) 2026 is giving 10 lucky shoppers a shot at a $5,400 scholarship—no essay, no interview, just a simple receipt. Here's the deal: spend $54 or more at any of 13 participating malls between August 3 and August 29, and you'll automatically be entered into a draw for a Modesh Scholarship worth $5,400. That's it. No complicated forms, no minimum purchase gymnastics. Just shop, save your receipt, and hope your name gets pulled. ### How the Modesh Scholarship Draw Works The promotion is part of DSS's Back-to-School season, which runs from August 3 to 29. Every time you spend $54 or more at one of the participating malls, you'll receive a digital coupon that enters you into the draw. The more you spend, the more entries you get—so if you're stocking up on school supplies anyway, it might be worth consolidating your shopping trips. One thing to keep in mind: the scholarship is awarded per family, so you can't win multiple times. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try. With only 10 scholarships up for grabs, the odds aren't exactly in your favor, but hey—someone has to win, right? ### Which Malls Are Participating? Here's the full list of the 13 malls where you can earn your entry: - Al Ghurair Centre - Silicon Central - City Centre Deira - City Centre Mirdif - Dubai Festival City Mall - Dubai Hills Mall - Ibn Battuta Mall - Mall of the Emirates - Marina Mall - Mercato Shopping Mall - Nakheel Mall - The Dubai Mall - Town Centre Jumeirah That's a pretty solid spread across the city, so no matter where you live or work, there's likely a participating mall within a short drive. ### Why This Promotion Matters for Families Back-to-school costs can add up fast. Between uniforms, backpacks, stationery, and electronics, a family can easily drop several hundred dollars before the first day of class. A $5,400 scholarship could cover a significant chunk of those expenses—or even pay for a semester of tuition at some private schools. The Modesh Scholarship isn't just about the money, though. It's also a reminder that Dubai's retail scene knows how to create value beyond the usual sales and discounts. DSS has been running for decades, and this year's focus on education feels especially timely. ### Tips to Maximize Your Chances If you're serious about winning, here are a few practical tips: - **Plan your big purchases** for August, especially if you need electronics or furniture. - **Keep your receipts** organized in a folder or app so you can verify your entries. - **Shop at multiple participating malls** if you can—each mall's draw is separate, so you'll have more chances. - **Check the fine print** on the DSS website to see if there are any exclusions or limits per transaction. ### A Quick Word on the Fine Print The draw is open to all shoppers, regardless of nationality or residency status. Winners will be announced in early September, just in time for the new school term. And while the scholarship is paid in UAE dirhams, the $5,400 figure is based on the current exchange rate, so the actual amount may vary slightly. If you're in Dubai this August, it's worth taking advantage of this promotion. Even if you don't win, you'll have your school shopping done early—and that's a win in itself.