Students who demonstrate significant financial need and are Zakat-eligible 

The scholarship covers tuition fees and/or boarding expenses, ensuring that students can focus on their studies without financial stress.

The scholarship is awarded for the duration of the student’s university education, subject to annual reassessment of their financial condition,  academic performance, and funds availability.

If a student’s financial condition improves significantly (e.g., a family member gains employment), the scholarship may be reassessed or terminated to ensure funds are allocated to another deserving student. 

Yes, there is a separate pool of funds for students who are in need but are not Zakat eligible, for example, Sadaat, minorities, etc. Such students are catered through the categories of loans, donations, charity, and gifts.  

• • Small Efforts Trust representatives critically scrutinize every case in terms of their Zakat eligibility. 
  • We have devised a Six-step verification process.
    Step 1: we solicit information directly from students through an online application form.
    Step 2: We evaluate Zakat eligibility by gathering more information through extra questions during the interview stage. Generally, the faculty members are well acquainted with the student’s socio-economic conditions, especially the borders, therefore our interview panel includes faculty members of the university.
    Step 3: We also solicit some documents to counter-check their claims/ statements.
    Step 4: We counter-check some information from the university student section. For example, if the student is getting some other financial aid or not.
    Step 5: We also conduct personal verifications, if required.
    Step 6:Funds transfer to students’ accounts and submission of paid fee challan to Small Effort Trust.

• We select students based on some direct and indirect peripheral evidence for example family income, total family members, whether they have their own house or living in a rented house, utility bills, and their financial challenges. Those who are facing extreme financial constraints to meet their educational expenses and are Zakat eligible get selected for this scholarship program.
• In many cases, the bread earner of the family is facing medical conditions and is unable to pay the university fees of their children due to which the students are zakat eligible.
• We do an annual reassessment of students’ financial conditions to ensure they remain eligible for Zakat under changing financial circumstances. 
• Small Efforts Trust also wants to highlight that technically more than 95% of university-going students are Zakat eligible. Because they are adults and they don’t have enough assets in their kitty.  
• Lastly, Small Efforts Trust collects zakat on behalf of these students as a waqeel, and not as an institution. We, therefore, ensure that the funds are disbursed to these students alone, and thus have operational headers attached to the program.

Fatwa

• On average, a university student in Pakistan has a fee of PKR 10, 000 per month, equivalent to Rs. 120,000 per annum.
• On average, a boarding student needs 10,000 to meet his/her personal expenses, equivalent to Rs. 120,000 per year.
• Total expenses =240,000 per year. 
• Per student cost = $900 per year.

• Zakat funds are distributed through Small Efforts Trust’s Shariah-compliant University Scholarship program.
• A thorough verification process ensures student eligibility, including application reviews, interviews, document checks, and personal verifications.
• Verified funds are transferred directly into student’s bank accounts.
• Students submit paid fee challan copies to ensure compliance and proper fund usage.
• The academic progress of students is monitored throughout the year.
• The process continues until the student’s degree is completed.
• SET maintains transparency and provides regular updates to donors, ensuring visibility of their contributions’ impact.

Under the following conditions, the scholarship will be terminated:

• Semester GPA Below 2.8: Scholarship may be terminated if the recipient’s GPA falls below 2.8 in semesters after getting a scholarship.
• Change in Financial Condition: Scholarship termination may occur if there’s a significant improvement in the recipient’s financial situation (e.g., a family member secures a well-paying job abroad).
• Misconduct: Scholarships can be terminated due to disciplinary issues or moral misconduct.