Following last year’s disastrous floods in Pakistan, which left numerous students from flood-affected areas facing financial difficulties and the prospect of dropping out of higher education, USAID has stepped in to provide a ray of light. USAID has announced a great programme to assist flood-affected students in continuing their education.
Eligibility Criteria
This ground-breaking scholarship opportunity is offered to undergraduate students enrolled in the second to seventh semester of a four- or five-year degree programme for the Fall 2023 term. All subjects and disciplines are eligible for consideration, regardless of field of study. To be eligible, applicants must be residents of the flood-affected districts, sub-districts, or UC Tehsils as officially identified by the Government of Pakistan, PDMA, or District Administration. The application requires authentic proof of flood-related damages, such as home and livelihood interruptions. Female students have an equal opportunity to profit from this initiative, with 50% of scholarships earmarked particularly for women.
Comprehensive Scholarship Coverage
Through this programme, successful candidates will receive extensive support. This includes tuition coverage for both the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters. Furthermore, for the same two semesters, a stipend will be granted to cover boarding, accommodation, transportation, and other academic expenditures.
Application Process
To apply, students should use the HEC Online Application System. Along with the application form, relevant supporting documents must be sent to their individual universities’ student financial aid offices. It is critical to supply all required information precisely to avoid problems throughout the selection process.
Important Notes
Scholarships will be awarded entirely based on merit, with an emphasis on transparency and integrity. If any submitted information is discovered to be erroneous or doubtful during physical verification, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) reserves the right to revoke scholarship awards. Students enrolling in two-year bachelor’s, associate, or lateral degree programmes, as well as those pursuing self-sustaining, self-supporting, or evening programmes with higher fee structures, are excluded. Furthermore, students who are already receiving other scholarships or continuing grants will not be considered for this programme. It should be noted that the scholarship grant is only available for two semesters.
Application Deadline
Prospective individuals are invited to apply as soon as possible, as the online application submission deadline is August 16, 2023. This gives a limited window of opportunity for flood-affected students desiring to continue their higher education journey to access this much-needed support.
This USAID effort provides hope to flood-affected students by guaranteeing that financial constraints do not impede their academic advancement. This scholarship programme, by bridging the financial gap, is prepared to inspire the next generation of leaders who have confronted adversity head-on.