Taleem

Table of Contents

  1. Our Goal
  2. National Talent Awards
    1. Talent Award Categories
    2. Eligibility for Talent Awards
    3. Non-Eligibility for Talent Awards
    4. Required Documents
    5. Talent Review and Approval Process
  3. National Education Scholarships
    1. Eligibility for Scholarship Awards
    2. Non-Eligibility for Scholarship Awards
    3. Required Documents
    4. Scholarship Review and Approval Process
  4. Frequently Asked Questions
  5. National Needs Based Grants Program
    1. Eligibility for National Education Grant
    2. Non-Eligibility for National Education Grant
    3. Required Documents
  6. National Loans Program
    1. Eligibility for Education Loans
    2. Non-Eligibility for Education Loans
    3. Required Documents
  7. Loans Program FAQ

Our Goal

“Advance so much in every field of education that your minimum target becomes the Nobel prize.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his helper) Khalifa tul Masih (V)

National Talent Awards

The Ahmadiyya Talent Awards are given to students graduating from degree programs and professionals with outstanding academic achievements. The Talent Award was started by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (ra) and was, at that point, called the Ahmadiyya Centenary Gold Medal Award. The award recognized students from Pakistan who held a first, second, or third position in an educational board or university examination. Under the auspices of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba), this program was expanded to include students and professionals from Jamaats outside Pakistan in 2006.

Talent Award Categories

1- Ahmadiyya Talent Award Gold Medal
Awardees are typically in the top 3% of their group, first in school, have a cumulative GPA of 4.0 from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States, are top of the class in graduate studies, are professionals with national recognition, etc. Awardees receive a gold medal and a certificate on stage at Jalsa Salana USA.

2-Ahmadiyya Talent Recognition Award
Awardees are typically in the top 5% of their group, for example, GPA 3.8, professionals with some national and local recognition. Awardees receive a certificate on stage at Jalsa Salana USA.

3- Ahmadiyya Talent Award Finalist
Awardees are applicants who were strongly considered for the Talent Recognition Award, but their scores fell just short of the top 5% of their group. Awardees will have their names displayed at Jalsa Salana USA, and their certificates will be mailed to them.

Additionally, selected talent awardees receive a financial award of up to $1000 dollars depending on the Jama’ats annual fiscal budget and their award level.

Eligibility for Talent Awards

  1. U.S. Citizen, U.S Permanent Resident (green card holder), or asylum applicant.
  2. Minimum of 3.8 GPA.
  3. Completed high school diploma, undergrad, or a post-grad degree.
  4. Impactful extracurricular activities or extra ordinary awards received are a big plus.
  5. Graduation must have been completed during the last three years AND must not have applied under the same degree program previously.

Non-Eligibility for Talent Awards

  1. Non-US residents or International Students studying in the US (e.g., F1 visa holders).
  2. Students with disciplinary action against them by the Jama’at.
  3. If the local Jama’at President recommends against the applicant.
  4. Students who have previously applied for the same degree.
  5. Applicants who graduated more than three years ago.

Required Documents

  1. Copy of official transcript supporting the request for award
  2. Proof of degree or diploma (high school, college, or university)
  3. Personal Statement about the student’s academic/professional journey of approximately 500 to 1000 words

Talent Review and Approval Process

  1. The talent committee will evaluate each application upon receipt of the completed application. The following criteria will be followed:

    • The committee will ensure that the students meet all the pre-requisites defined.

  2. The talent committee reads each personal statement. It is important that candidates provide a maximum two-page personal statement stating what sets them apart from other candidates.

    • This is a merit-based award. Candidates should focus on their achievements in their statements rather than making an argument based on financial hardship.
  3. Students should showcase their extracurricular activities so that their application stands out among other applicants.
  4. Applications are divided into four categories:

    • High School Graduates.
    • Students currently enrolled in Undergraduate or Vocational schools.
    • Students graduating from 4-year institutes and planning to attend postgraduate.
    • Students currently enrolled in postgraduate.
  5. Though you may meet the minimum criteria to apply, receiving the scholarship is not guaranteed. The selection process is objective and highly competitive, and many factors are considered in choosing the award winners.
  6. Students planning to attend UK Jalsa Salana may request to receive their award from Huzur e Aqdasaba. This is subject to approval from the UK.
  7. Awards will be mailed to students who cannot attend USA Jalsa Salana. The award cannot be moved to a future year.
  8. While gold medalists are awarded, the announcement of names of the students receiving recognition award or finalist awards is subject to approval by Jalsa leadership each year.

National Education Scholarships

It is typically given to students in the top 15% of their class who have completed at least one year of continuous study at a college or university or completed high school and are going to a college. Selected scholarship awardees will receive a financial award of up to $1000 dollars depending on the Jama’ats annual fiscal budget and their award level.

Eligibility for Scholarship Awards

  1. U.S. Citizen, U.S Permanent Resident (green card holder), or asylum applicant.
  2. Minimum of 3.5 GPA regardless of the major/concentration.
  3. The student MUST be enrolled in an associate, bachelor, graduate, or postgraduate program of study at an accredited United States Institution
  4. U.S. students studying abroad may apply. However, students must provide a transcript equivalent to U.S colleges and universities.

Non-Eligibility for Scholarship Awards

  1. Non-U.S. residents or International Students studying in the US (e.g., F1 visa holders).
  2. Students with disciplinary action against them by the Jama’at.
  3. If the local Jama’at President recommends against the applicant.
  4. High school students not starting college in the Fall semester/quarter of the current academic year

Required Documents

  1. Copy of most recent official transcript from the most recent institution.

  2. Proof of enrollment

    • This could be a transcript showing enrollment in the fall semester, or online proof of enrollment from the university website. Acceptance letters without proof of deposits, are not considered proof of enrollment.
  3. Personal Statement about the student’s academic/professional journey of approximately 500 to 1000 words

Scholarship Review and Approval Process

  1. The scholarship committee will evaluate each application upon receipt of the completed application. The following criteria will be followed:

    • The committee will ensure that the students meet all pre-requisites defined.
    • Students pursuing a competitive degree will be given preference.
      • Example: Students pursuing a competitive education (i.e. Mathematics, Science, Engineering etc.) will be preferred to those who are enrolled in non-competitive programs.

  2. The scholarship committee reads each personal statement. It is important that candidates provide a personal statement of approximately 500-1000 words stating what sets them apart from other candidates.

    • This is a merit-based scholarship. Candidates should focus on their academic/professional achievements in their statements rather than making an argument based on financial hardship.
  3. Students should showcase their extracurricular activities so that their application stands out among other applicants.

  4. Applications are divided into four categories:

    • High School graduates who are accepted and enrolled into an undergraduate institution.
    • Students currently enrolled in undergraduate institutions or vocational schools.
    • Students graduating from 4-year institutes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: What’s the difference between scholarship and talent awards?
Answer: The key difference is that talent awards are given after a student has graduated from a program, while scholarships are awarded only to actively enrolled students. The Talent Awards have a more stringent review, are highly competitive, and awardees are recognized at Jalsa Salana, USA.

Question: Can a student apply for both talent and scholarship award?
Answer: Yes, they can. However, if a student wins a talent award, then they will not qualify for a scholarship award.

Question: What is an educational scholarship?
Answer: Students with outstanding academic achievements are recognized for their continuing hard work with small monetary scholarships ($250-$1,000). All U.S. Jama’at members who are current or prospective students are eligible.

Question: Can I apply for an education loan and the educational scholarship?
Answer: Yes, you can apply for both in the same year

Question: What if I have received assistance from other Jamaat programs like Khadija or Tahir Scholarship?
Answer: You can apply for the Talim department’s education scholarship in addition to other Jama’at scholarships.

Question: I applied for the scholarship and/ or talent award before the announced deadline but have not heard back. What should I expect?
Answer: After you submit your application, you will receive an email from the system. It is the student’s job to ensure that they have completed the submission process. Often, students forget to upload supporting documents or leave the application half finished.

Applicants who qualify for awards/scholarships are notified via email by the scholarship committee. If you have any questions or concerns about your application, please contact scholarship.committee@ahmadiyya.us prior to the deadline.

Question: I am an African American Ahmadi. Can I apply for the educational scholarship too?
Answer: Yes, you are also eligible to apply for the educational scholarship.

Question: What if I missed the deadline to submit my application?
Answer: Please respect the deadline. You can contact the committee at scholarship.committee@ahmadiyya.us to check if the committee is still able to accommodate your request. However, once the process reaches later stages, this becomes more unlikely.

Question: I have an online degree/I am enrolled in an online degree program. Am I eligible for the educational scholarship?
Answer: Yes. Applicants of online degrees are eligible for the educational scholarship.

For inquiries, please contact us at scholarship.committee@ahmadiyya.us

NATIONAL NEEDS BASED GRANTS PROGRAM

This program is designed to support need-based students in completing professional certification by providing funding for relevant educational training or exams. It also covers vocational education from a community college but does not cover training from a for-profit training center. These grants will only be awarded to individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree or an associate diploma in the relevant field.

Selected grant awardees will receive a financial grant between $250 to $1000 dollars depending on the Jama’ats annual fiscal budget.

The following are some examples of such certifications:

  • Certified Surgical Technologist, Project Management Professional, Emergency Medical Technician, Certified Information Security Manager, Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Compensation Professional etc.
  • IT and Tech Bootcamps: For programming, cybersecurity, data analysis, or other tech-related fields.
  • Educational diploma after completing a minimum of high school diploma.

The following examples will not qualify since they are not in purview of National Talim Department:

  • Language and Professional Development Courses (For improving skills that can lead to better job opportunities or career advancement).
  • Entrepreneurial Ventures (For starting small businesses, which might include funding for equipment, marketing, or initial operating expenses).
  • Costs associated with licensing or exam fees, which are separate from the educational component of such training. Our financial assistance program does not cover the costs associated with obtaining these licenses or certifications. This includes fees for exams, prep courses to prepare for such exams, application fees, and any related expenses.
  • Personal expenses such as books, lab equipment, art supplies, materials or retrospective educational expenses.
  • Apprenticeships: In fields such as plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry, where hands-on training is required.

ELIGIBILITY FOR NATIONAL EDUCATION GRANT

  1. Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (green card holder), or asylum applicant.
  2. Must be a member of the U.S. Jamaat in good standing.
  3. Must demonstrate financial need.
  4. Must be unemployed OR provide rationale explaining why current employment cannot cover their certification costs
  5. Must be enrolled/accepted into an education program or provide evidence of a passing certificate Funds will be approved based on enrollment but released after passing/obtaining certificate.
  6. Must have completed high school diploma

NON-ELIGIBILITY FOR NATIONAL EDUCATION GRANT

  1. Students with disciplinary action taken against them by the Jama’at.
  2. Applicants for whom the Jamaat President issues a recommendation against the applicant.
  3. Students who are unable to provide acceptable documentation of their enrollment.
  4. License or certification renewals of any type
  5. Proof of application submissions or payment receipts that are more than six months old.
  6. Failure to attempt at obtaining a certification will result in retraction of grant to recipient.
  7. Certification that does not compliment student’s educational history.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Each applicant must submit:

  1. A copy of their diploma/degree of the highest education level they currently have.
  2. A resume showing previous education and/or job experience
  3. Proof of admission in their current, intended course
    • OR professional certificate acquired, and fees paid.
  4. A personal statement of ~500 to 1000 words demonstrating why the student qualifies for the grant

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: If I am a full-time student, do I qualify to certification grants?
Answer: No. This program is solely for unemployed members of jamaat who wish to obtain gainful employment.

Question: Do I have to pay this grant back? Is this a loan?
Answer: No. This is a onetime, non-repayable grant to assist members without higher education become competitive in a job market.

Question: How will I qualify if I will only have a proof of certificate after I have passed the exam?
Answer: This program can reimburse your registration fees in a professional certification program after you have passed the exam.

Question: What type of training program qualifies?
Answer: Only accredited institutes for vocational training or reputed educational certification programs.

Question: I want to do a beautician course through a private training program, do I qualify for the grant?
Answer: No, only accredited colleges qualify and only certificates related to your prior education can qualify.

Question: How much grant will I receive?
Answer: Grant funds will be determined annually. Grant values can vary between $250-$1000.

Question: Can I apply multiple times?
Answer: Applicants can apply once a year.

NATIONAL LOANS PROGRAM

This is an interest free loan program open to all jamaat students in the US. This program is designed to help students reduce their high interest debt. Loan amounts are usually $3,000 to $5,000 however the amount may be lower or higher, depending on the budget and number of students applying. This is a loan that must be returned immediately after student starts their first job.

ELIGIBILITY FOR EDUCATION LOANS

  • US Citizen, U.S Permanent Resident (green card holder) or asylum applicant.
  • US Jamaat member in good standing.
  • Student must qualify for financial need.
  • Student must understand that this is a loan, and it is the last dollar they need to get through the year after having exhausted other sources.
  • Students must be high school graduate OR college/university/community college student enrolled in fulltime or part time classes.
  • Online college degrees and associate degrees are also eligible.
  • Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
  • US jamaat members studying abroad MAY qualify, if they are abroad for sole purpose of education and have intent to return to US.

NON-ELIGIBILITY FOR EDUCATION LOANS

  • International students on F-1 visa or other visas who are in the USA primarily for education.
  • High school students who are not expected to start college in the fall semester.
  • Students with disciplinary action against them by Jamaat.
  • Families or members where the Jamaat President recommends against the applicant.
  • Vocational courses, certification exams, USMLE and licensure.
  • Students who cannot provide acceptable documentation showing their enrollment.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Each applicant must submit following documents:

  • Copy of most recent official transcript from the most recent institution (high school, college, or university)
  • Proof of enrollment in the fall semester.
    • This could be in the form of a transcript showing enrollment in the fall semester, or online proof of enrollment from the university website.
  • Copy of the statement from educational institution or FAFSA that shows the tuition expense, the loans and grants awarded to the student, if requested
  • Signed and notarized copy of loan declaration form.
    • Note: This is requested after the loan amount has been approved and student has been informed
  • 500 to 1000 words essay to show why student qualifies for the loan.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Question: Is there any interest on this loan?
Answer: No. This is an interest free loan to help members of the jamaat achieve their maximum potential.

Question: If I receive other loans, will I qualify for a Jamaat loan?
Answer: Yes. You may still qualify for a jamaat loan, if other loans have a higher interest rate.

Question: Do I need to return the money received?
Answer: Yes. It’s a loan and it is your Islamic and legal responsibility to return this loan.

Question: When does this loan become due?
Answer: Loan becomes due immediately after the start of your first job.

Question: Can I pay all other loans before paying this loan?
Answer: No. Loan payment for this should also start immediately after the start of the first job.

Question: Will I get the requested amount?
Answer: Maybe. It depends on the need and number of students applying. We have a limited budget, and we’ll utilize the whole budget dedicated for loans.

Question: How long will it take to find out if I’m approved?
Answer: We’ll take about 30 days to make the decision and email you with our decision and checks will be mailed within 30 days from the decision.

Question: Can the loan check be mailed to me before I pay for my fall semester?
Answer: Since every college has different due dates for fall semester/quarter, we’ll mail this out at our earliest possible; however, if it is delayed, this loan can be used for the second quarter/ semester.

Question: Who do I contact for the status of my loan?
Answer: If you do not hear from us in 30 days after the application submission deadline, you can send an email to education.loans@ahmadiyya.us for any questions/concerns you may have.

Type Activity Description Internal Date External Date
Talent Policy/Process Messaging to local secretaries (Announce all applications Open/Close dates) 12/15/2024
Open application portal 1/6/2025
Close application portal 3/12/2025
Collect President’s feedback N/A
Decisions emailed to applicants
Checks Issued by Accounting (Muhasib) 6/30/2025
Scholarship Policy/Process Messaging to local secretaries (Announce all applications Open/Close dates) 1/15/2025
Open application portal 3/12/2025
Close application portal 6/30/2025
Collect President’s feedback N/A
Decisions emailed to applicants 7/30/2025
Checks Issued by Accounting (Muhasib) – Deadline 8/30/2025
Paama Policy/Process Messaging to local secretaries (Announce all applications Open/Close dates) 2/15/2025
Open application portal 3/11/2025
Close application portal 6/30/2025
Collect President’s feedback N/A
Decisions emailed to applicants 6/30/2025
Checks Issued by Accounting (Muhasib) 7/30/2025
Loans Policy/Process Messaging to local secretaries (Announce all applications Open/Close dates) 2/15/2025
Open application portal 3/11/2025
Close application portal 6/30/2025
Collect President’s feedback N/A
Decisions emailed to applicants 7/30/2025
Checks Issued by Accounting (Muhasib) 8/15/2025
Grants Opened year round 07/1/2025 06/30/2025
Open application portal 07/01/2025
Collect Presidents’ feedback Immediate
Review applications 4 weeks Response time
Checks Issued by Accounting 2 weeks from approval