Scholarship
A scholarship is a financial award given to students to support their education costs, including tuition, fees, and sometimes living expenses. Scholarships in Nepal are awarded by the government, universities, NGOs, foreign governments, and private institutions based on merit, need, or specific criteria.
Definition
A scholarship is a financial award given to students to support their education costs, including tuition, fees, and sometimes living expenses. Scholarships in Nepal are awarded by the government, universities, NGOs, foreign governments, and private institutions based on merit, need, or specific criteria.
About Scholarship
A scholarship is a form of financial support awarded to students to help cover education costs, including tuition fees, examination fees, study materials, and in some cases, living allowances. Unlike loans, scholarships do not need to be repaid. In Nepal, scholarships are offered by a wide range of sources: the Government of Nepal, the glossary/ugc" class="text-blue-600 hover:underline">University Grants Commission (UGC), individual universities, foreign governments, bilateral development organizations, and private philanthropic bodies.
Scholarships in Nepal are broadly categorized into glossary/merit-based" class="text-blue-600 hover:underline">merit-based scholarships (awarded based on academic achievement or entrance exam rankings) and glossary/need-based" class="text-blue-600 hover:underline">need-based scholarships (awarded based on financial need). Some scholarships combine both criteria, and others are targeted at specific groups — such as women, students from disadvantaged communities, students with disabilities, or students from specific geographic regions.
For domestic studies, the Government of Nepal mandates that private colleges reserve a percentage of seats (typically 10%) for free or subsidized scholarship students, particularly those who scored highly in the relevant entrance examinations. UGC also distributes targeted scholarships for master's and doctoral students in priority areas. For foreign study, scholarships are available from governments including China (Chinese Government Scholarship), India (ICCR), Japan (MEXT), the USA (Fulbright), and Australia (Australia Awards), among many others.
Finding the right scholarship requires research and early preparation. Application processes, eligibility criteria, and deadlines vary significantly. Our scholarships" class="text-blue-600 hover:underline">scholarship listings cover domestic and international opportunities, and our education system guide explains how the government scholarship system works within Nepal's higher education framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of scholarships are available for students in Nepal?
Scholarships in Nepal include merit-based (academic achievement), need-based (financial hardship), targeted (women, marginalized communities, region-specific), government-funded, and international (foreign government and bilateral organization scholarships). Both domestic study and study abroad scholarships are available.
Are private colleges in Nepal required to provide scholarships?
Yes. Government policy requires private colleges affiliated with Nepali universities to reserve a percentage of seats (commonly 10%) for free or subsidized scholarships for eligible students, particularly those ranked highly in entrance examinations. The specifics vary by institution and program.
How do I apply for scholarships in Nepal?
Scholarship application processes vary by the awarding body. Government and UGC scholarships are typically announced through official portals and Nepal Gazette notices. University scholarships are applied for directly with the university. International scholarships have their own application portals and timelines, often requiring recommendation letters, statements of purpose, and academic transcripts.
Details
Related Terms
Education System Topics
Related Terms
View all terms →Merit-Based
A merit-based scholarship is a financial award granted to students based on their academic achievement, entrance exam rankings, or exceptional performance in specific fields. These scholarships recognize and reward outstanding students regardless of their financial background.
Need-Based
A need-based scholarship is a financial award granted to students based on demonstrated financial hardship or economic vulnerability, regardless of academic performance. These scholarships aim to ensure that economic barriers do not prevent deserving students from accessing education.
UGC
The University Grants Commission (UGC) Nepal is the government body responsible for allocating grants to universities, maintaining academic quality standards, and accrediting higher education institutions. It functions under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.
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