Some scholarships pay your fees and wave you goodbye. The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme is different: it supports outstanding postgraduate students from developing countries who have no other means to fund their studies, and it does so as a half grant, half loan. That structure scares some people, but for many Nigerians it remains one of the most realistic doors to a funded master’s abroad.
How the Award Works
The programme supports master’s and PhD studies for students with excellent records and genuine financial need. Half of the award is a grant, and the other half is a loan with simple terms, repaid over an agreed period after your studies. Applications are handled through local units, and in many countries the process opens once a year. Because it targets need, your family’s financial documents matter as much as your certificates.
Who Qualifies?
The standing conditions are roughly these:
- An excellent academic record, usually a strong first degree.
- Genuine financial need, proved with documents.
- Admission to, or a realistic plan for, a reputable postgraduate programme.
- Preference often goes to younger applicants starting their postgraduate journey.
How to Apply
Start from the official Aga Khan Foundation scholarship page, which explains the current cycle and where to obtain forms. Applications typically go through the local coordinating unit, and the process includes a detailed financial form and interviews. Follow the instructions line by line, because incomplete files go nowhere.
How to Prepare a Strong File
Start gathering your documents months ahead: certificates, transcripts, admission letters or application proofs, and honest family financial records. Your personal statement should connect your course to real needs back home. Our guide on writing a scholarship essay will help you craft that story well.
What the Interview Is Like
Shortlisted candidates face an interview where panel members test both your academics and your character. Expect questions about your study plan, your finances and what you intend to do after graduation. Answer plainly and honestly. Our post on scholarship interview questions shows the style of questions to expect.
Scam Warning
Nobody sells Aga Khan Foundation forms, and no agent can influence selection. The process is free to enter. Anyone demanding money to facilitate your application is a fraudster, so walk away and report them.
How to Check the Current Status
As at the time of writing, the programme runs on an annual cycle with country-level timelines, so confirm the current window on the official page and through the local coordinating unit handling Nigerian applications in Lagos. If the cycle has closed, use the waiting months to strengthen your file.
Is the Loan Half a Deal Breaker?
Some applicants run once they hear the word loan, but think about it calmly. You receive half of the money as an outright grant, and the loan half comes with humane repayment terms spread over years after you finish. Compared to abandoning a funded master’s abroad entirely, it is a fair arrangement, and past scholars have managed it without wahala. Just enter with your eyes open, plan your repayment early and treat the obligation with the seriousness it deserves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Aga Khan scholarship a full grant?
No. It is half grant and half loan, with the loan repaid after your studies on agreed terms.
Can undergraduates apply?
No, the programme funds postgraduate studies only.
Do I need admission before applying?
You need at least a credible admission plan, and confirmed admission strengthens your file.
Is there an application fee?
No, applying is completely free of charge from start to finish.
Reviewed by Miles Obi, Careers and Scholarships Editor at Jobviza.
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