STEM Scholarships for Low-Income Female Students

Afghanistan-Pakistan Women's Economic Empowerment (APWEE) has one simple goal: To help talented young women from low-income families in Balochistan remain enrolled in STEM and health-science degree programs that they could not otherwise afford. In a region where girls face significant barriers to higher education, APWEE provides comprehensive support that goes beyond tuition to include essential costs such as exam fees, transportation, textbooks, Internet access, and supplies. Scholarship funds are released every academic year based on documented expenses and evidence of academic progression.

Amina, a Pharm-D student at the University of Balochistan, Campus Pishin, has completed four semesters with an outstanding 3.87 cumulative GPA, including a perfect 4.00 GPA in her third semester. She has been formally promoted after every semester and has never received below an A− grade. Her academic record has been verified against official transcripts. Because her campus is outside her home area, APWEE's comprehensive support has been especially important in covering transportation, Internet, textbooks, and semester fees. 

"Without the scholarship I financially could not afford these studies. It helped me through every difficult challenge: the semester fee, my transport problem, even stationery. It improved my mental health and built my confidence, because being financially stable let me focus fully on my studies. Alhamdulillah, I earned a great grade point average. I truly admire STEM and everyone who helped me with this scholarship."

— AMINA, PHARM-D SCHOLAR

Dilawaiz, a BS Anesthesia Technology student at the Iqra Institute of Health Sciences in Quetta, has advanced to her fifth semester, beyond the halfway point of her four-year degree. Despite beginning with a first-semester GPA of 2.31 and significant financial challenges, her academic performance has improved consistently, reaching 2.68 in her second semester and 2.85 in her third semester, with a current cumulative GPA of 2.62. 

"Due to my weak financial background, it became very difficult to manage tuition fees, books, transportation, and other academic expenses. This support enabled me to focus on my studies without the constant fear of financial obstacles. It gave me hope, motivation, and emotional strength, and my family could meet my educational expenses without compromising our basic household needs. It has strengthened my belief that education can change my future."

— DILAWAIZ, BS ANESTHESIA TECHNOLOGY SCHOLAR

Balochistan has some of the lowest numbers of girls in higher education in Pakistan, and costs are highest in STEM and health-science degrees, where tuition comes with exam charges, daily transportion, Internet, and textbooks. That is why the APWEE's STEM Scholarship program pays the full cost of staying enrolled; not just tuition. Both girls are training for jobs where qualified women are badly needed in Balochistan: one as a pharmacist and one as an anesthesia technologist. Each of them will join a provincial health system that has very few female professionals, so every scholarship dollar will keep paying off long after graduation.

APWEE is proud to continue supporting Amina and Dilawaiz as they progress toward careers in which qualified women are greatly needed in Balochistan's health system. Their achievements demonstrate the lasting value of investing in young women's education and professional development. With continued support from GlobalGiving and generous donors, APWEE intends to sponsor another cohort of talented young women pursuing STEM and health-science degrees during the upcoming academic year. Together, we can help ensure that financial hardship does not prevent talented young women from completing their education and building brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Links:

• Afghanistan-Pakistan Women's Economic Empowerment