- You must be selected for admission to an AKU programme and be unable to pay tuition and other fees.
- Awards depend on demonstrated need, assessed by a point-based evaluation of your family's socio-economic profile and interviews with you and your parents.
- Every student is expected to contribute something, and AKU asks applicants to look for other funding sources first.
- AKU verifies all information and documents.
- Aid is reviewed every year. Onboard students must reapply each academic year.
Aga Khan University Financial Assistance (Pakistan)
Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi · Checked September 26, 2026
AKU runs a needs-sensitive financial assistance programme for admitted students who can't pay the full cost of their education. Almost half of the student body has received it. Aid combines a grant with an interest-free student loan that is repaid after graduation.
Deadline:
For new students, the deadline is in the admission offer package. Onboard students apply by the last working day of February each year.
| Funding | Partial funding |
|---|---|
| Level | Bachelor's, Master's, PhD |
| Study in | Pakistan |
| Subjects | All AKU programmes in Pakistan (e.g. MBBS, nursing, education, graduate programmes) |
What it covers
- Grant-in-aid
- Interest-free student loan (5% annual administrative charge; repayment after graduation)
Who can apply
How to apply
- Get admission to an AKU programme.
- Complete the Financial Assistance Application Form for new students and attach all supporting documents. Late or incomplete forms are not considered.
- Submit it by the deadline in your admission offer package.
- Attend the interview. An anonymised committee decides the award level.
- Onboard students reapply by the last working day of February each year. One appeal with new information is allowed.
Documents you usually need
- Financial Assistance Application Form (new or onboard students)
- Supporting documents of family income, assets and expenses as listed in the form
Scholarship rules and deadlines change every cycle. This page summarises the official information; always confirm on the official page before applying. Official applications are free.
Prepare your application
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- Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship Project (BISP / formerly Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship)
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