Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his helper) Khalifa tul Masih (V) said “Advance so much in every field of education that your minimum target becomes the Nobel prize.”
NATIONAL TALENT AWARDS
The Ahmadiyya Talent Awards are given to students graduating from degree programs and professionals who have outstanding academic achievements. The Talent Award was started by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (ra). Then 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
Ahmadiyya Talent Award Gold Medal: Awardees are typically in the top 3 % of their group, first in school, cumulative GPA of 4.0 from an accredited institution of Higher Education in USA, top of the class in graduate studies, professionals with national recognition, etc. Awardees receive a gold medal and a certificate on stage at Jalsa Salana USA.
Ahmadiyya Talent Recognition Award: Awardees are typically in the top 5% of their group, e.g. GPA 3.8, professionals with some national and local recognition, etc. Awardees will receive a certificate on stage at Jalsa Salana USA.
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. Their certificates will be mailed to them.
Additionally, selected talent awardees also receive a financial award for up to 1000 dollars depending on fiscal budget and their award level.
ELIGIBILITY FOR TALENT AWARDS
US Citizen, U.S Permanent Resident (green card holder) or asylum applicant.
Minimum of 3.8 GPA.
Completed high school diploma, undergrad or a post-grad degree.
Impactful extra-curricular activities or extra ordinary awards received are a big plus.
Graduation must have completed during last 3 years AND must not have applied before.
NON-ELIGIBILITY FOR TALENT AWARDS
Non-US residents or International Students studying in the US (e.g. F1 visa holders).
Students with disciplinary action against them by the Jama’at.
If the local Jama’at President recommends against the applicant.
Students who have previously applied for the same degree.
Applicants who graduated more than 3 years ago.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Copy of official transcript supporting the request for award
Proof of degree or diploma (high school, college, or university).
Personal Statement – 500 to 1000 words
TALENT REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Upon receipt of the completed application, the talent committee will evaluate each application. The following criteria will be followed:
Committee will ensure that all pre-requisites defined are met by the students.
The talent committee read each personal statement, It is important that candidates provide maximum 2 pages personal statement stating what sets them apart from other candidates.
This is a merit base award. We recommend that candidates should focus on achievements in their statement rather than making an argument based on financial hardship.
Students should show extracurricular activities to have their application stand out among other applicants.
Applications are divided into four categories:
High School Graduates.
Students currently enrolled in Undergraduate or Vocational schools.
Students graduating from 4-year institute and planning to attend postgraduate.
Students currently enrolled in postgraduate.
No one is guaranteed an award for meeting the advertised guidelines because of the competitive nature of this program.
Students planning to attend UK Jalsa Salana may request to receive their award from Huzur e Aqdas aba. This is subject to approval from UK.
Awards will be mailed to students who are unable to attend USA Jalsa Salana.)Award cannot be moved to a future year.
While gold medalists are awarded, announcement of names of 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 1 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 for up to 1000 dollars depending on fiscal budget and their award level.
ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
US Citizen, U.S Permanent Resident (green card holder) or asylum applicant.
Minimum of 3.5 GPA regardless of the subjects.
Enrolled in an associates, bachelors, graduate, or post graduate program of study at an Accredited United States Institution
U.S student studying abroad, however, student must provide transcript equivalent to U.S colleges and universities.
NON-ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Non-US residents or International Students studying in the US (e.g. F1 visa holders).
Students with disciplinary action against them by the Jama’at.
If the local Jama’at President recommends against the applicant.
High school students NOT starting college in Fall semester/quarter in current academic year
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Copy of most recent official transcript from the most recent institution.
Proof of enrollment
This could be in the form of a transcript showing enrollment in the fall semester, or online proof of enrollment from the university website.
Personal Statement – 500 to 1000 words
SCHOLARSHIP REVIEW AND APPROVAL PROCESS
Upon receipt of the completed application, the scholarship committee will evaluate each application. The following criteria will be followed:
Committee will ensure that all pre-requisites defined are met by the students.
Students pursuing a competitive degree will be given preference.
Example: Students pursuing a competitive education (i.e. Mathematics, Science, Engineering etc.) will be preferred compared to students who are enrolled in non-competitive programs.
The scholarship committee read each personal statement, It is important that candidates provide maximum 2 pages personal statement stating what sets them apart from other candidates.
This is a merit base scholarship. We recommend that candidates should focus on achievements in their statement rather than making an argument based on financial hardship.
Students should show extracurricular activities to have their application stand out among other applicants.
Applications are divided into four categories:
High School Graduates.
Students currently enrolled in Undergraduate or Vocational schools.
Students graduating from 4-year institute and planning to attend postgraduate.
Students currently enrolled in postgraduate.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Question: What’s the difference between scholarship and talent awards? Answer: Key difference is that talent awards are given after graduation of a program and scholarships are awarded only to actively enrolled students. Talent awards have more stringent review and awardees are recognized at US Jalsa.
Question: Can a student apply for both talent and scholarship award? Answer: Yes they can, however if a student wins talent award then they will not qualify for scholarship award.
Question: What is educational scholarship? Answer: Small amount of scholarship for academic achievements ($250-$1000) is given as a recognition to outstanding students. All US Jamaat members who are current or prospective students are eligible for this.
Question: Can I apply for an education loan as well as the scholarship? Answer: Yes. You can apply for both.
Question: What if I have received assistance from other Jamaat programs like Khadija or Tahir Scholarship? Answer: You can apply for scholarship as well.
Question: I applied for the scholarship and/ or talent award before the announced deadline but never heard anything. What should I expect? Answer: Successful applicants are notified by the scholarship committee. If you have any questions, please contact scholarship.committee@ahmadiyya.us
Question: I am an African American Ahmadi. Can I apply for an educational scholarship too? Answer: Yes, you can apply for a scholarship.
Question: What if I missed the deadline to submit my application? Answer: Please respect the deadline. You can contact the committee at the email address scholarship.committee@ahmadiyya.us to see if they will accept your late application.
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.
