“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 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
U.S. 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 extracurricular activities or extra ordinary awards received are a big plus.
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
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 three 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 about the student’s academic/professional journey of approximately 500 to 1000 words
Talent Review and Approval Process
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.
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.
Students should showcase their extracurricular activities so that their application stands 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 institutes and planning to attend postgraduate.
Students currently enrolled in postgraduate.
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.
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.
Awards will be mailed to students who cannot attend USA Jalsa Salana. The award cannot be moved to a future year.
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
U.S. Citizen, U.S Permanent Resident (green card holder), or asylum applicant.
Minimum of 3.5 GPA regardless of the major/concentration.
The student MUST be enrolled in an associate, bachelor, graduate, or postgraduate program of study at an accredited United States Institution
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
Non-U.S. 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 the Fall semester/quarter of the current academic year
Required Documents
Copy of most recent official transcript from the most recent institution.
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.
Personal Statement about the student’s academic/professional journey of approximately 500 to 1000 words
Scholarship Review and Approval Process
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.
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.
Students should showcase their extracurricular activities so that their application stands out among other applicants.
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.
