The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme
provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies
to outstanding students from developing countries who have no other means
of financing their studies.
Scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant: 50% loan basis through a competitive
application process once a year in June or July.
The Foundation gives priority to requests for Master's level courses but
is also willing to consider applications for PhD programmes, when doctoral
degrees are necessary for the career objectives of the student.
Requests will also be considered for travel and study awards for PhD students
doing their research in Third World countries on topics judged to be of
interest to the Aga Khan Development Network.
Geographic Scope:
The Foundation accepts applications from countries where it has branches,
affiliates or other AKDN agencies which can help with processing applications
and interviewing applicants. At present, these are include Kenya, Tanzania,
Uganda etc.
Selection Criteria: The main criteria for selecting award winners are: l) Excellent academic records,
2) Genuine financial need,
3) Admission to a reputable institution of higher learning and
4) Thoughtful and coherent educational and career plans.
Candidates are also evaluated on their extra-curricular interests and
achievements, potential to achieve their goals and likelihood to succeed
in a foreign academic environment.
Age Limit:
Preference is given to students under 30 years of age.
Financial Assistance:
The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses
only. Preference is given to those who have been able to secure some funding
from alternative sources.
Loan Conditions:
Half of the scholarship amount is considered as a loan, which must be
reimbursed with an annual service charge of 5%. A guarantor is required
to co-sign the loan agreement. The payback period is five years, starting
six months after the study period funded by the Aga Khan Foundation.
Application Procedures: The application procedures of AKF's International Scholarship
Programme are decentralised.
Students may obtain application forms as of January 1st each year from
AKF offices or Aga Khan Education Services / Boards in their countries
of current residence.
Completed applications should be returned to the agency from which the
form was obtained, or to the address indicated on the front of the form.
They should not be sent to Geneva. The deadline for submission of applications
is March 31.
Applicants should be prepared to be interviewed by local Scholarship Committees
about their financial situation, their academic performance, extra-curricular
achievements and career plans.
Interview reports are sent with the applications to Geneva for the final
selection.
The annual Scholarship Selection Meeting takes place in late June or early
July and the Aga Khan Foundation notifies all students of the outcome
of their application shortly thereafter.
More
Scholarships
