Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship Programme for African Students

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Program for African Students is for young Africans aspiring to forward their studies. However, the good news is that many funded options are open to Africans out there through this scholarship scheme. Hence, this piece will provide you with detailed information bout this program.

Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship Programme

The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme is for postgraduate students with financial needs.

However, every year, the Foundation gives a limited number of international scholarships to sound students within their area of operation academically.

The scholarship is also open to prospects pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree program in the United States.

Hence, the application is presently open for students from Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, Madagascar, Uganda, and Mozambique within Africa.

The scholarship is also available for students from Pakistan, Syria, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and India outside Africa.

Nature of Scholarship

1. The Foundation exclusively assists students with tuition fees and living expenses and does not provide additional support outside this.

2. It however aims to prepare scholars for employment by helping them seek their livelihood.

3. For Ph.D. programs, the funding lasts for two years only. After these two years, the agency expects students to stand on their feet or seek out other means of income.

4. And half of the scholarship is a loan with a 5% service charge every year. It follows a 50% grant ratio and 50% loan method through a yearly competitive application process

5. Hence, you have a period of five years to pay back, starting six months after the period the foundation funds you. For this agreement, you will need a guarantor to co-sign.

6. Most importantly, The scholarship favors Master’s level courses but also considers Ph.D. programs.

7. The agency also considers Ph.D. programs, especially when the student is outstanding, with a high professor’s recommendation to back it. 

8. Furthermore, they consider such students if the Ph.D. is compulsory for career fulfillment, especially academic or research-orientated studies.

9. They do not accept short-term courses. They also reject applications from students who have started their course of study.

Read Also:

• 25 Undergraduate Scholarships in Zimbabwe 2023
• CMAAE MSc Scholarships for BMGF Anchor Countries in Africa 2023
• Ghana Civil Service Recruitment 2023 – Recruitment Portal
• How Can I Check My Admission Status in GIJ?

Eligibility Requirements

The Aga Khan Scholarship eligibility contains three categories that you must consider before applying. These categories comprise factors that come into play when checking if the scholarship is right for you. They include:

Geographical Locations

The agency might not consider outside India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, Tajikistan, Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar.

However, the Aga Khan Foundation may still consider students in Portugal, France, the USA, the UK, and Canada.

Hence, this consideration depends on factors like the student having other means of financing their studies. The student must also be from any earlier mentioned countries and interested in development-related studies.

Area of Residence

The Foundation doesn’t accept applications from students living in the earlier-mentioned countries. However, they can also consider students residing in countries where their offices for processing admissions are present

Age Bracket

The scholarship typically favors students under the age of thirty.

How to Apply for the Aga Khan Scholarship Programme

Before you apply for the scholarship, ensure you are eligible for the scholarship. You can proceed with the application once you have settled this and met all criteria.

1. First, obtain the form from any Aga Khan Foundation offices or educational services and boards. However, the forms are available in the countries of residence of these boards.

Click Here for more information

2. Once you have obtained the form, please fill them out with the information required. Ensure you fill these forms accurately and honestly, as you will not want to miss the opportunity due to wrong information.

3. After completing your application, please forward it to the resident agency, where you obtained the form. This is because of the decentralized application process. Furthermore, don’t send your application to Geneva, where the headquarters reside unless you obtained your form from there.

4 To avoid making mistakes, contact the local offices in your region for the internal deadline dates.

5. You should contact these offices for details on the scholarship’s requirements. In some cases, this may also vary from country to country.

6. After your application, prepare to undergo an interview by local Scholarship Committees on your financial condition. The interview will cover topics like your extra-curricular achievements, career goals, and academic qualities.

7. The selection meeting for the scholarship takes place between late June and early July annually. After this meeting, the organization will update the students on the results of their application.

Finally, the Aga Khan Foundation Scholarship Programme for African Students empowers young Africans and helps in fostering their potential to drive positive change.

And however, contribute to the sustainable development of their communities and continent. Hence, potential applicants and beneficiaries should explore this information.