USAID Scholarships Aid Flood Affected Students

Following the devastating floods that wreaked havoc in Pakistan last year, numerous students from flood-affected districts face the looming threat of discontinuing their higher education due to financial constraints. In response, USAID has initiated a merit and needs-based scholarship program, aimed at extending educational opportunities to financially disadvantaged students. This scholarship endeavor has been ongoing since 2004, demonstrating a commitment to empowering students from vulnerable backgrounds. The program strives to alleviate the financial burden for flood-affected students in thirty partner universities by providing scholarship funding for two semesters. The candidates can check USAID Scholarships Aid Flood-Affected Students: Financial Educational Support

Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Scholarships

To be eligible for the USAID scholarship, students must fulfill the following criteria:

Enrollment: The student must be enrolled in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th semester during Fall 2023, pursuing a four/five-year undergraduate degree program.
Open Disciplines: All academic disciplines and subjects are eligible for consideration.
Flood-Affected Areas: Applicants must belong to districts/sub-districts/UC Tehsils that have been officially identified as flood-affected by the Government of Pakistan/PDMA/District Administration.
Proof of Flood Damage: Submissions must include credible evidence of flood-related damage, such as household and livelihood impact. Uploaded images must be genuine and not sourced from the internet.
Interview Process: Shortlisted candidates will undergo an interview conducted by the Institutional Scholarship Award Committee of their respective universities, which will assess their eligibility for financial assistance.
Gender Inclusion: 50% of the scholarships are reserved for female students, promoting gender equality in educational opportunities.

Scholarship Coverage

The USAID scholarship encompasses the following benefits:

Tuition Fee Coverage: Scholarship recipients will have their tuition fees covered for both the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters.
Stipend Inclusion: The scholarship stipend will account for Boarding & Lodging, Transportation, and other Academic Costs for the specified two semesters.

Application Process

Prospective candidates are required to adhere to the following application process:

HEC Online Application: Students should initiate their application through the HEC Online Application System.
Submission of Documentation: A printout of the completed application form, accompanied by necessary supporting documents, must be submitted to the student financial aid offices of their respective universities.
Completeness of Application: Ensuring all required fields are completed accurately is crucial, as incomplete forms will not be accepted.

Important Notes

Merit-Based Awards: Scholarship allocations will be strictly based on merit. HEC reserves the right to revoke scholarships if discrepancies or inaccuracies are identified during physical verification.
Ineligible Categories: Certain categories, including self-sustain/self-support basis admissions, evening programs with higher fees, two-year bachelors programs, associate degrees, and lateral degree programs, are not eligible for this scholarship.
Exclusivity: Students receiving other scholarships or continuous grants are ineligible for this scholarship opportunity.
Duration: The scholarship funding will extend solely for two semesters.

Application Deadline
The deadline for online application submission is set for August 16, 2023. Aspiring candidates are encouraged to complete the application process promptly to secure their chance at this valuable scholarship opportunity.