The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship provides a number of fully funded scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding indigent students from developing countries.
The scholarship award covers the tuition fees and living expenses of successful applicants and is granted for the entire duration of the degree course being run.
Scholarship Summary
- Host: Aga Khan Foundation
- Category: Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships | PhD Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: 17 Selected Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Living Stipends
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: March 31, 2025
Scholarship Details
The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship is an opportunity for outstanding students from developing countries, who have issues financing their studies, to pursue postgraduate education.
The scholarship was established in 1969 to help more indigent students from less-privileged countries gain access to postgraduate education.
The Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship has so far supported more than 1,000 students to date.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:
- Have excellent academic records
- Hold a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent training/professional experience
- Demonstrate genuine financial need
- Construct a thoughtful, reliable, multi-source funding plan
- Be admitted to a reputable postgraduate institution
- Have strong leadership potential, professional experience, extracurricular and/or entrepreneurial achievements, and volunteer contributions.
Note: preference is given to young professionals under 30 years of age.
Scholarship Benefits
Successful applicants of this scholarship will receive:
- The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only.
- Funding is only provided for the first two years of study, after which the students are expected to find alternative sources of assistance.
- AKF ISP gives priority to Master’s programmes but will also consider applications for PhD studies. Local/regional universities and distance learning programmes are acceptable for ISP funding, only if the quality of the course is maintained.
- The scholarship provides half of the fund as a loan, students are expected to return the other half for the purpose of continuity of the program.
- The payback period is five years, starting six months after the study period funded by the Aga Khan Foundation.
Selection Process
To be selected for the scholarship:
Applicants should be prepared to be interviewed by local Scholarship Committees about their financial situation, their academic performance, extra-curricular achievements and career plans.
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.
How to Apply
To apply for this scholarship:
- Students are to obtain application forms as of 1st January AKF offices or Aga Khan Education Services / Boards in their countries of current residence.
- Ensure to fill the form appropriately and attach the right documents
- Completed applications should be returned to the agency from which the form was obtained before the deadline, March 31, 2025
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