Aga Khan Scholarship 2023

Offered by the Aga Khan Foundation, an agency under the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), the Aga Khan International Scholarship Programme is a leading financial assistance scheme provided for a varied range of study abroad programs. It is a cross-continent organisation working with the motto of availing educational opportunities, healthcare services, humanitarian assistance, financial assistance to the underprivileged sections of several developing countries. It has forged associations with scores of international organisations and embassies including the Australian High Commission, World Bank, and the UNICEF. This article focuses on the specifics of the Aga Khan Scholarship, the schemes it offers as well as how you can apply for it.

Also Read: Top Scholarships for Indian Students To Study Abroad

Aga Khan Scholarship 2023

The Aga Khan Foundation offers scholarships to postgraduate students in a limited number. The scholarship is available only for students in developing countries. Although the scholarship is for masters students, it also offers scholarships to PhD students.

How to apply for Aga Khan Scholarship?

Aga Khan Scholarship operates on a country-based application mechanism where students need to contact their respective country offices for filing the forms.

1. Candidates need to contact the Aga Khan Foundation which will send the form to their country branch through email.
2. The application forms are available from January 1, 2023.
3. This form can be filled out online and submitted back via email to the country office.

The deadline for the entire application process is 31st March 2022. However, applicants are advised to check with the local offices of the Aga Khan Foundation in their region for their region based deadlines. Further, late or incomplete applications are strictly denied.

Important Dates for Aga Khan Scholarship

IMPORTANT DATES FOR INDIA

Application Form: 1st January 2022
Application Distribution- Beginning Date: 17th March 2023 (7:00 pm IST)
Last Date to Submit Completed Applications: 20th March 2023 (5:00 pm IST)

IMPORTANT DATES FOR PAKISTAN

Application Form: 1st January 2022
Application Distribution- Beginning Date: 16th March 2023 (5:00 pm IST)
Last Date to Submit Completed Applications: 31st March 2023 (5:00 pm IST)

IMPORTANT DATES FOR BANGLADESH

Application Form: 1st January 2023
Application Distribution- Beginning Date: 6th March 2023
Last Date to Submit Completed Applications: 31st March 2023

IMPORTANT DATES FOR PORTUGAL

Application Form: 1st January 2022
Last Date to Submit Completed Applications: 28th March 2022 (5:00 pm IST)

Important Note: For the 2022 applications, the Aga Khan Foundation does not accept applications in which candidates are aspiring to opt for universities in Denmark, Norway, UK, Sweden, The Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Italy, and Australia.

Aga Khan Scholarship: Eligibility

The Aga Khan Foundation has a limited number of seats every year. Your application will only be accepted if you fulfil the following criteria.

1. You must be applying for a post-graduate or PhD
2. You must be from one of the developing countries mentioned below.
   1. India
   2. Bangladesh
   3. Pakistan
   4. Afghanistan
   5. Syria
   6. Tajikistan
   7. Kyrgyzstan
   8. Kenya
   9. Tanzania
   10. Mozambique
   11. Madagascar
   12. Uganda
   13. Egypt.
3. You should not apply if you are applying for a short-term course or have already started your education
4. Your study plan should not include joining universities in Ireland, UK, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
5. Students must not be above the age of 30 years.
6. Prospective applicants must be residing in areas where there are local offices of Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), Aga Khan Education Services (AKES) or Aga Education Board (AKEB) for easy facilitation of application verification and interview purposes.

Also Read: Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in UK

Selection Criteria of Aga Khan Scholarship

Aga Khan Foundation employs a strict selection criteria for this scholarship. Below we have detailed the central selection criteria implemented for screening applications for Aga Khan Scholarships:

• Outstanding academic credentials
• A proven need for financial assistance
• Proof of admission in a leading course and university
• Connection with AKDN’s working areas
• In the case of PhD, strong recommendations from their professors are imperative
• Relevant Achievements and Extracurricular Activities
• Career plans related to future
• Potential to work and perform in a foreign university
• Few years of industry experience is preferred

Interview

As part of the application procedure for the Aga Khan Scholarship, the interview process helps in knowing the candidate and understanding their career aspirations and what they are aspiring to do with the help of the financial assistance. The local scholarship committees meet every shortlisted candidate and comprehend their career ambitions, financial conditions and a host of other things which assists the Foundation in selecting the right set of applicants for the scholarship.

The interview takes place in late June or early July of each year, students are later notified within a few weeks of their selection.

Aga Khan Scholarship: Benefits

The scholarship assistance is offered on the basis of a 50% grant and 50% loan. Aga Khan Scholarships covers expenses only arising out of:

• Tuition Fees of the Program
• Living Expenses
• The cost of travel is not included in the Aga Khan Scholarship
• In the case of PhD funding, only the first two years will be considered.

Conditions of Loan

• The 50% loan amount is given with an annual service charge of 5%.
• The loan agreement must be co-signed by a guarantor
• The payback period is 5 years.
• Payment of loan will begin after six months from the end of the study period.

Other Scholarship Options

Similar to the Aga Khan Scholarship, the following scholarship options should also be perused if you are looking for financial assistance schemes that can support your overseas education.

• LIC Scholarship
• Dhirubhai Ambani Scholarship
• Inlaks Scholarships
• Canara Bank Scholarship
• Commonwealth Scholarship
• HDFC Scholarship
• GRE Scholarships

Pursuing higher education in universities abroad is an expensive affair. More often than not, prospective students require support related to the exhausting procedure of arranging funding. The expert counsellors at Leverage Edu are here to assist you throughout this rigorous process thus gearing you up for a vibrant career in your field of choice. Call us at +91-8826200293 and let us find the right scholarship program that can fund your dream course abroad.