HELP Scholarship Programme
The HELP Scholarship programme was established in 2010 with the aim of supporting academically sound and financially challenged SEE graduates from Sindhupalchok in their pursuit of higher education (10 +2 or equivalent). It started with the small idea of assisting seven students from Helambu who had excelled in their SEE exams but were considering leaving the country due to financial constraints. Since then, the program has grown to support an average of 40 students each year. This consistent support has enabled the program to provide financial assistance to a total of 555 students to date, allowing them to pursue higher education and fulfil their potential.
There is a shortage of teachers in many of our partner schools, especially enthusiastic, local teachers who have a stake in the community. Many bright children, especially girls, are sent to work abroad by their families before or immediately after completion of their Secondary Education Examination (SEE) to send home money. This situation has led to a lack of educated and qualified people in rural communities, further impacting the teacher shortage.
Less than 5 out of 10 students in Sindhupalchowk District continue their education after SEE, and of these, only around two continue to graduate 10+2 (equivalent to British A- levels). This is strongly linked to the impossibly high cost of attendance and a lack of adequate guidance. Students from Helambu and neighbouring regions are incredibly passionate about education and full of ideas and visions of using their education to improve their local communities. They show immense dedication in the face of adverse circumstances. To enhance the quality of education and nurture children's ambitions in rural communities in areas such as Helambu, locally educated people must return to their communities as role models and entrepreneurs for social and economic change.
While education at government schools is free of charge up to the Secondary Education Examination (SEE) level, most educational institutions for higher studies post-SEE are private, expensive and based in Kathmandu, with limited options in the Helambu region. For anyone desiring to complete their high school 10+2, one must travel to cities like Kathmandu, and this reality will continue unless high schools in the Helambu region become well-established and upgrade themselves in infrastructure and teaching capacity. The cost of higher education colleges in Kathmandu is beyond what most families in Helambu can afford.
The annual average income in Helambu is around Rs.15,000 or £100, which is barely enough to meet daily basic requirements. Private schools in Kathmandu charge between Rs. 30,000 (£200) and Rs. 50,000 (£350) in annual tuition fees forcing many students with bright prospects to discontinue their studies despite their desire to carry on. The Scholarship Scheme for Higher Education was set up in 2010 to allow academically gifted, enthusiastic students from economically underprivileged backgrounds in the Helambu region to continue their education and pursue their goals. The Scholarship is explicitly aimed at students from marginalised Hyolmo or Tamang communities and tries to award equal scholarships to boys and girls. A condition of the Scholarship is that awardees return to their home communities to volunteer for at least three months following their studies.
Since 2010, we have given scholarship opportunities to more than 200 students. Graduates of the scheme have returned to their communities as teachers, become involved in local politics, pursued further study, often in fields such as medicine and nursing, or been promoted to organisations working for development, to name but a few.
Objectives:
The key objectives of the HELP Scholarship programme are:
The primary objective of the HELP Scholarship program is to provide financial support to academically excellent students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. The program aims to ensure that deserving students do not miss out on higher education opportunities due to financial constraints.
To encourage students' growth and development by giving them the opportunity to challenge themselves, discover new ideas, and make meaningful connections.
Eligibility Requirements:
The requirement for the HELP scholarship is:
1. The applicant must have passed the SEE exam from a government school.
2. If the applicant is from a private school, their monthly fee should be less than 10,000 Nepali rupees.
3. The applicant must be a Nepali citizen.
4. The applicant must demonstrate financial need and academic merit.
5. The applicant must submit a completed scholarship application form and the required documents.
6. The applicant must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 for science and 2.4 for the Management stream.
Required documents:
- Gradesheet of SEE
- Gradesheet of SEE Preboard (if the result has not been published)
- Recommendation letter from School(A letter of recommendation from the student's school provides information about the student's academic performance and character.)
- Passport size Photograph(Pp size)
Scholarship Selection Process:
1. Application: All of the HELP scholarship application procedures will be done online. Candidates can use an online platform to access the application form and upload the necessary supporting documents. Candidates must fill out the form and upload the required documents by following the steps on the online application platform.
2. Review: The second step in the selection procedure is to ensure the candidate meets the scholarship eligibility requirements. These criteria include the applicant's academic ability, financial need, and other factors. To determine eligibility and award the scholarship, the HELP Scholarship Coordinator and the team will review it.
3. Interviews: Those who have been shortlisted will be called for an interview. The scholarship coordinator will communicate with the Ward chairman and school administration to ensure that the applicant's financial needs are met.
4. Selection of scholarship recipients: The procedure of selecting scholarship recipients aims to find the most deserving and eligible applicants for the scholarship.
5. Review by the HELP and scholarship selection team: The Board and Scholarship selection committee members will assess the applications according to established criteria, such as academic excellence, financial need, and individual accomplishments.
6. Award Ceremony: A scholarship award ceremony is an event to recognise and honour students who have received scholarships.
Duration of Award
The scholarship award provides financial support for 2 years, covering tuition, books, and expenses. It allows the recipient to focus on their studies and maximize their potential. It's a competitive opportunity that recognizes academic achievements and dedication, providing a pathway towards a brighter future.
Eligibility Criteria for scholarship renewal:
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The applicant must be a current recipient of the HELP scholarship and have completed one academic year of study.
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The applicant must provide updated proof of academic performance.
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The applicant must submit a renewal application form along with the required documents.
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Renewal of the scholarship is based on the applicant's academic performance, financial need, and availability of funds.
