USAID funding halt leaves 530 Pakistani scholars from flood zones in crisis. Dreams deferred as scholarships vanish. Learn more.
USAID Funding Crisis Puts Pakistani Students Futures on Hold
For 530 Pakistani students from flood ravaged communities, education was a lifeline until USAID abruptly pulled its support. These scholars, enrolled in undergraduate programs nationwide, now face financial chaos as the Merit and Needs-Based Scholarship Programme grinds to a halt.
A Program Built on Hope
Launched in 2013, the USAID-funded initiative aimed to uplift underprivileged students through Rs2.95 billion in grants. Managed by Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC), it expanded to 70 universities, offering 4,868 scholarships. After the catastrophic 2022 floods, 530 additional students from affected regions were added, with plans to sustain support until 2026.
America First Policy Hits Hard
The suspension aligns with broader U.S. aid reductions under the “America First” agenda. The $30.7 million scholarship program, crucial for low-income families, now languishes. Students in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, and South Punjab, many of them women, are hardest hit.
Exchange Rates Offered Temporary Relief
Currency fluctuations initially boosted the program, enabling 1,868 extra scholarships. But this silver lining faded as funding dried up. Over 4,140 students have graduated, but the remaining 530 risk dropping out without financial aid.
Beyond Scholarships: A Ripple Effect
The crisis extends beyond tuition. Training initiatives and institutional partnerships, including ties to the Benazir Income Support Programme, have stalled. Annual capacity-building workshops, vital for academic staff, are also paused.
Global Aid in Perspective
USAID’s 2023 global budget topped $43 billion, with Pakistan historically a key recipient. Today, 39 critical projects spanning health, governance, and energy hang in the balance, amplifying fears of long-term setbacks.
Silence Deepens Uncertainty
HEC officials remain tight-lipped, leaving students in limbo. “Without this scholarship, I can’t afford books, let alone fees,” shares Ayesha Khan*, a final-year student from Sindh. Her story echoes across campuses, where ambitions now collide with harsh realities.
A Call for Solutions
As Pakistan grapples with the fallout, advocates urge local and international stakeholders to bridge the gap. Time is running out for flood-affected scholars, and every delayed decision dims hopes of a brighter future.