USAID Initiative Offers Scholarships to Students Affected by Pakistani Floods

In the wake of the devastating floods that struck Pakistan last year, causing widespread destruction and upheaval for millions of people, the pursuit of higher education has become a daunting challenge for students hailing from flood-ravaged districts. The lack of financial resources has placed their academic aspirations in jeopardy, with many on the brink of abandoning their education.

To address this critical issue, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has taken a commendable step by introducing a merit and needs-based scholarship program. Since its inception in 2004, this program has been dedicated to providing scholarships to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The recent initiative focuses on students from thirty partner universities who have been severely affected by the floods. Through this scholarship, USAID aims to alleviate the financial burden on these flood-affected students and enable them to continue their education without hindrance.

Eligibility Criteria:

For students interested in availing themselves of this opportunity, there are certain eligibility criteria that need to be met:

1. Enrolled in the 2nd to 7th semester of an undergraduate degree program for the Fall 2023 term.
2. All fields of study and disciplines are open for consideration.
3. Belong to districts, sub-districts, or UC Tehsils that were identified as flood-affected by the Government of Pakistan, PDMA (Provincial Disaster Management Authority), or District Administration.
4. Must provide authentic evidence of flood-related damages, such as those affecting households and livelihoods. The use of fabricated images from the internet will result in rejection.
5. Shortlisted candidates will be subjected to interviews by the Institutional Scholarship Award Committee of their respective universities to determine eligibility for financial assistance.
6. Females are particularly encouraged to apply, as 50% of the scholarships are reserved for them.

Coverage of the Scholarship:

The scholarship is designed to provide comprehensive support to the selected candidates, including:

1. Tuition fees for both the Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 semesters.
2. A stipend to cover expenses related to boarding, lodging, transportation, and other academic costs for the same two semesters.

Application Process:

Applying for the scholarship is a straightforward process that requires the following steps:

1. Students need to submit their applications through the HEC Online Application System.
2. Along with the application form, applicants should provide the necessary supporting documents to the student financial aid offices of their respective universities.
3. Incomplete applications will not be considered for the scholarship.

Important Notes:

1. The scholarships will be awarded purely based on merit. However, USAID and HEC (Higher Education Commission) retain the right to revoke the scholarship if any provided information is found to be misleading or incorrect during the physical verification process.
2. Students pursuing admissions through self-sustained, self-supported, self-financed, evening programs with higher fee structures, two-year bachelor’s, associate, or lateral degree programs are not eligible for this scholarship.
3. Applicants already benefiting from other scholarships or continuous grants are ineligible to apply for this scholarship.
4. The scholarship coverage will be limited to two semesters.

Application Deadline:

If you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to apply for this significant scholarship opportunity, be sure to complete your online application by the 16th of August, 2023. This deadline marks the last day for submission. Secure your chance to continue your education with much-needed financial assistance in the aftermath of the devastating floods.