Central Bank of Egypt signs cooperation protocols to fund scholarships for top students and support 846 students affected by USAID suspension

The Central Bank of Egypt and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research signed two cooperation protocols to provide educational support for high-performing students, combining fully funded scholarships for financially disadvantaged students with targeted support for students affected by the suspension of the USAID program. The scholarship support is aimed at high-achieving beneficiaries of the “Takaful and Karama” program, students exempted from tuition fees by the Ministry of Education during the 2024/2025 academic year, and those impacted by the USAID program suspension starting from the upcoming academic year. Under the first protocol, scholarships are fully funded for top-performing, financially disadvantaged students, prioritising students from border governorates and persons with disabilities, and focused on scientific specialisations considered critical to national development. It also provides for a dedicated donation account accessible across the banking sector to receive contributions from citizens, public and private bodies, and charitable organisations. The second protocol provides funding for living and accommodation expenses for 846 students affected by the USAID suspension, whose scholarships have been secured at private, national and public universities and foreign university branches in Egypt. The Ministry has launched an online portal to receive applications for fully funded scholarships covering tuition, accommodation and living expenses at national universities, and indicated that academic performance will be monitored.