The Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme (AKF ISP) is one of the few postgraduate awards that openly lists Pakistan as an eligible country, and it has been running since 1969. It is also one of the most misunderstood. Many students hear "Aga Khan scholarship" and picture a free ride. It is not. Half of what you receive is a loan that you repay later, with a service charge on top.
That does not make it a bad deal. For the right student, it is the piece that closes the gap in an otherwise solid funding plan. This guide explains how the award is structured, who it suits, and where applicants usually go wrong. You can also see the full scholarship details on our scholarship page.
A grant and a loan, split down the middle
The AKF ISP is a need-based programme for outstanding students from selected countries who have no other way to fund postgraduate study. The foundation describes it as a resource of last resort. Every award is split: 50 percent is a grant, and 50 percent is a loan. Recipients repay that 50 percent loan portion along with a service charge, and a guarantor has to co-sign the award agreement.
The programme has supported over 1,500 students so far. It puts Master's candidates first, though PhD applications are also considered.
Who it suits: a Pakistani graduate with a strong academic record, real leadership or volunteer experience, an admission offer in hand, and a funding plan that is mostly complete but still short. Who should probably skip it: anyone looking for a fully funded award, anyone who has already started their degree, and anyone who cannot find a guarantor willing to sign.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Provider | Aga Khan Foundation |
| Funding type | Partial funding, 50 percent grant and 50 percent loan |
| Study level | Master's (priority) and PhD |
| Fields | All fields of study |
| Eligible nationalities | Selected countries, including Pakistan |
| Next cycle | Expected to open in early 2027 |
| Deadline | Varies by local office |
| Official site | AKF International Scholarship Programme |
What the money pays for, and what it leaves out
The award goes toward tuition and living expenses. Treat it as partial support for both, not a guarantee that either will be paid in full. The amount you get is shaped by your demonstrated need and the rest of your funding plan.
Some costs are excluded outright. The programme does not pay for:
- international travel
- clothing
- furniture
- living costs for family members
That last exclusion matters for married applicants. If you plan to take a spouse or children with you, their living costs have to come from somewhere else, and visa officers will want to see that money. Our guide to bank statements and proof of funds covers how to present this.
Master's versus PhD support
For Master's students, funding covers the full length of the degree. PhD students receive support for the first two years only. A PhD applicant therefore needs a clear answer for what happens after year two, whether that is a university assistantship, departmental funding or another scholarship. Leaving this blank weakens a funding plan that is supposed to cover the whole study period.
Thinking about the loan before you sign
The loan half is the part people skim over. You will repay 50 percent of the total award amount, plus a service charge. Before applying, sit down and work out what that repayment will mean on the salary you can realistically expect after graduating. The source material does not give a fixed repayment schedule or service charge rate, so ask your local AKF contact for those terms in writing before you commit.
The guarantor requirement is also more than a formality. Someone has to co-sign the award agreement, which means they are taking on responsibility if you do not repay. Talk to that person early, explain the terms honestly, and make sure they are comfortable. Scrambling for a guarantor after you are selected is a stressful and avoidable problem.
Eligibility, and the line about Pakistan
The AKF ISP is available in countries including Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Pakistan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania and Uganda. Residents of Canada, Portugal and the USA can apply if they are originally from one of the listed countries. The programme is not available for study in the UK or Russia, so do not build your plan around a British university offer.
Beyond nationality, applicants should:
- hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience
- have an excellent academic record
- show genuine financial need
- have admission to a reputable postgraduate institution
- be entering the first year of their postgraduate programme
- show strong leadership potential along with professional or volunteer experience
Preference goes to candidates under 30. That is a preference, not a hard cutoff, but older applicants should expect the rest of their profile to carry more weight.
The first-year rule catches people out. If you are already halfway through a Master's and running short of money, this programme is not designed for you.
Building the funding plan that decides your application
Because the AKF ISP is a last-resort fund, your application rests heavily on a detailed financial plan. It must draw on several sources and cover every year of your study. A plan that leans almost entirely on AKF money tells the selectors you have not done the groundwork.
Think in layers. Family savings, any university fee waiver or merit award, other scholarships, and personal earnings all go in first. The AKF award fills what remains. Each source should be believable and, where possible, backed by documents.
The documents you should have ready are:
- proof of admission to a postgraduate institution
- a detailed financial plan
- evidence of financial need
- academic transcripts
- a signed award agreement with a guarantor (at the selection stage)
Transcripts and degrees used abroad often need attestation, so check our IBCC and MOFA attestation guide well before the cycle opens.
Applying through your local AKF contact
There is no single global inbox for this scholarship. Applications go through a local contact or office in your home country, which is also why the deadline varies by office. The process looks like this:
- Check your eligibility using the official AKF ISP online eligibility tool.
- Find the local contact or office for your country.
- Submit your application through that local contact.
- Go through the competitive selection process.
- If selected, sign the award agreement with your guarantor.
The next cycle is expected to open in early 2027. Because each local office sets its own deadline, confirm the exact closing date for Pakistan on the official AKF ISP website as soon as the cycle is announced.
Where applicants lose ground
The most common mistake is treating the AKF ISP as a first choice. Selectors want evidence that you tried other routes first. Apply for other scholarships and university funding in parallel, and mention those efforts in your plan.
The second mistake is a weak need argument. "My family cannot afford it" is not evidence. Show income, expenses and the specific shortfall.
Third, applicants with strong grades often undersell leadership and volunteer work. This programme asks for both, so describe concrete roles and what changed because of your involvement.
Finally, timing. You need an admission offer and you must be entering year one. Line up your university applications so that your offer and the AKF cycle overlap.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Aga Khan Foundation scholarship fully funded?
No. It is partial funding, split into a 50 percent grant and a 50 percent loan, and it is intended as a resource of last resort.
Can Pakistani students apply?
Yes. Pakistan is one of the countries where the AKF ISP is available. You apply through the local contact for Pakistan, which you can find using the official eligibility tool.
Can I apply if I have already started my Master's?
No. Applicants must be entering the first year of their postgraduate programme.
Are PhD students eligible?
Yes, but Master's programmes get priority, and PhD funding only covers the first two years of study.
Can I use the award to study in the UK?
No. The programme is not available for study in the UK or Russia.
Do I have to repay anything?
Yes. The loan half, which is 50 percent of the award, must be repaid with a service charge, and a guarantor must co-sign your agreement.
Before the 2027 cycle opens, check the official AKF ISP website for your local contact and deadline, and keep the Aga Khan Foundation scholarship page bookmarked for updates.