The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme is one of the better-known postgraduate funding options in South Asia, and it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many students hear "Aga Khan scholarship" and picture a fully paid degree abroad. That is not how it works. The award is split down the middle: 50 percent is a grant and 50 percent is an interest-free loan. It is meant for students who genuinely cannot afford postgraduate study on their own, and it expects you to bring other money to the table as well.
This guide explains how the programme is structured, who it realistically suits, and how to prepare for the next cycle. For the summary version, see the full scholarship details.
A half grant, half loan award for Master's and PhD entrants
The programme funds postgraduate study at Master's or PhD level, and fields are open. The catch is timing: it is only for applicants entering the first year of their postgraduate programme. If you have already started your degree, you are not eligible.
It is also explicitly need-based. Strong grades help, but the programme is not designed as a merit prize. Your financial situation is central to the decision, and you will need to show that you have a realistic plan for paying for your studies from several sources, with AKF funding as one part of that plan.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) |
| Funding type | Partial: 50 percent grant, 50 percent interest-free loan |
| Study level | Master's or PhD |
| Fields | Open |
| Current status | 2026-2027 cycle closed; next cycle expected to open around January 2027 (dates unconfirmed) |
| Where it applies | Nationals and residents of AKF-designated countries |
| Official site | Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme |
Why the 50/50 grant and loan split changes your planning
The funding covers tuition and partial living costs, but only half of what you receive is a gift. The other half is a loan. It is interest-free, which is a real advantage over commercial borrowing, but it is still money you will owe.
Two practical points follow from this. First, think about repayment before you apply. A loan you take on at the start of a Master's will still be there after you graduate, so it makes sense to weigh it against your likely career path and earnings. Second, do not assume the award will cover everything. Living costs are only partially covered, and the programme expects AKF money to sit alongside other sources such as family support, savings, university funding or other awards.
If you are the kind of applicant who needs a full ride to study at all, this programme alone will probably not get you there. It works best for students who already have part of their funding sorted and need a substantial, low-cost contribution to close the gap.
Eligibility depends on your country, and Pakistan's status needs checking
The programme is for nationals or residents of AKF-designated countries. Historically this has included Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, and the Aga Khan Development Network has a long-standing presence in all three. That local presence is one of the programme's strengths: there is in-country infrastructure and support, rather than a single foreign office handling everything.
Even so, the list of designated countries is something you should confirm for the current cycle. Pakistani students should check their country's status on the official website or with the local AKF office before putting time into an application.
The core requirements are:
- You are a national or resident of an AKF-designated country.
- You are entering the first year of postgraduate study, not already enrolled.
- You can demonstrate genuine financial need and present a multi-source funding plan.
- Preference is given to applicants under 30.
The age point is a preference, not a stated cutoff. If you are over 30 you are not automatically excluded, but you should be aware that younger applicants are favoured, and make your case accordingly.
What a convincing multi-source funding plan looks like
This is the part of the application where many students are weakest. Saying "I need money" is not a funding plan. AKF wants to see that you have thought through the full cost of your degree and where each part of it will come from.
A sensible approach is to lay out your expected tuition and living costs, then show what you can cover from other sources and what gap remains. The AKF request should fit that gap. If your numbers do not add up, or if it looks like AKF is expected to fund the whole thing, that undermines the application.
Your financial need documentation should back up what you say. Be honest and consistent. Inflating hardship or understating family resources is a bad idea for a need-based programme, and inconsistencies between your form and your documents are easy to spot. If you are gathering family financial records, our guide to bank statements and proof of funds covers how Pakistani families usually prepare these papers.
The five documents to start collecting now
The application asks for:
- Application form
- Financial need documentation
- Proof of admission
- Transcripts
- Recommendation letters
Proof of admission is the one that trips people up. Because the programme is for first-year entrants, you need to be applying to postgraduate programmes at roughly the same time as you prepare this application. If your university admissions are running late, you could end up with an incomplete file. Plan your university applications with the AKF cycle in mind.
Recommendation letters also take time. Ask your referees early and tell them what the programme is about, so they can speak to your ability and your circumstances rather than writing a generic letter. For a broader list of papers that scholarship committees tend to ask for, see the international scholarship documents checklist.
Applying through your local AKF office, not just a web form
The application process has two main steps:
- Use AKDN's eligibility tool to confirm that your country and circumstances meet the criteria.
- Apply through your local AKF national office. This is not a direct online-only application.
The second point matters. Students used to submitting everything through a single portal sometimes assume they can do the same here. Instead, your local AKF office is your point of contact, and it is also the best place to confirm dates, requirements and any country-specific steps. Start with the official programme page and follow the route it gives for your country.
Timing: the 2026-2027 cycle is closed, so plan for January 2027
The 2026-2027 cycle is closed. The next cycle is expected to open around January 2027, but the exact dates have not been confirmed. Treat January 2027 as an estimate, not a deadline you can plan to the day.
The sensible move is to use the months before then to get ready. That means shortlisting postgraduate programmes, starting university applications, collecting transcripts, lining up referees and drafting your funding plan. Then confirm the opening date and deadline with your local AKF office as the cycle approaches. If you leave everything until the cycle opens, you will be scrambling for admission letters and financial paperwork at the same time.
Who should apply, and who should probably look elsewhere
This programme suits a fairly specific applicant: someone from an AKF-designated country, about to start a Master's or PhD, with real financial need but also some other funding in place, and comfortable taking on an interest-free loan for half the award. If that describes you, it is well worth the effort, especially given the programme's long operating history in South Asia.
It is a poor fit if you are already enrolled in your postgraduate programme, if you want a fully funded scholarship with no repayment, or if you have no other funding source at all. In those cases, look at fully funded options in our scholarships guide for Pakistani students alongside, or instead of, this one.
The most common mistakes are predictable: treating the award as a full grant, applying after enrolling, submitting a funding plan where AKF covers everything, and assuming the opening date without checking with the local office.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Aga Khan Foundation scholarship open right now?
No. The 2026-2027 cycle is closed. The next cycle is expected to open around January 2027, and you should confirm the exact date with your local AKF office closer to that time.
Is this a full scholarship?
No. It is 50 percent grant and 50 percent interest-free loan, covering tuition and partial living costs. You are expected to have other funding sources as part of a multi-source plan.
Can Pakistani students apply?
The programme has historically served nationals and residents of AKF-designated countries including Pakistan. Confirm Pakistan's current status on the official website or with the local AKF office before applying.
Can I apply if I have already started my Master's or PhD?
No. The programme is for applicants entering the first year of postgraduate study. If you are already enrolled, you cannot apply.
Is there an age limit?
Preference is given to applicants under 30. It is described as a preference rather than a strict cutoff, but it does affect your chances.
Which subjects can I study?
Fields are open, at Master's or PhD level.
Before the next cycle opens, check the official Aga Khan Foundation programme page and your local AKF office for confirmed dates, and keep the full scholarship page bookmarked for updates.