Scholarships

USA

Scholarship Overview

This scholarship is open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled full-time in a college, university, vocational institution, or trade course in the U.S. Students on a student visa may also be considered, depending on funding availability.

The Scholarship amount is up to $3,000 per year, with up to $5,000 awarded in exceptional cases.

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Things To Note:

  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
  • Applicants must demonstrate ability and motivation through academic records and letters of recommendation. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is typically required.
  • Financial need must be demonstrated, based on family or personal income, tax, returns, and FAFSA information.
  • Scholarships are granted for one year at a time. Students in multi-year programs must reapply annually. Courses with different terms (e.g., 18 months) will be considered separately.
  • Applicants will be notified of the decision within four weeks of receipt of a completed application.
  • Scholarship funds are paid directly to the institution attended by the applicant.
  • All scholarship recipients shall undertake to participate in the activities of the SHDF upon completion of their studies.
  • After starting employment, scholarship recipients are expected to contribute to SHDF in ongoing support of its mission.
  • All award decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final.

Guidelines:

  • This Scholarship is for students who are full time permanene undertaking full-time course of study at a College, University or vocational institution, or undergoing a full-time trade course offering the requisite skills. The Scholarship Committee of SHDF shall determine this eligibility by evaluating documents provided by the applicant (including course transcripts, letter of admission etc. as noted in the application form.)
  • Students will have to demonstrate ability and motivation in their field of study; the “ability” will be judged by past educational attainment, and recommendations. The student typically should have attained a GPA of at least 3.0 out of 4.0.
  • Students will have to demonstrate financial need based on family or personal income relative to the cost of tuition.  Financial need shall be determined by (among other factors), inspection of tax returns and input from FAFSA.
  • This scholarship is primarily for Sikh students living in USA (US Citizen or Permanent Residents) and attend an educational or vocational establishment within USA.  Students who have come to USA for studies under the Student Visa may be considered depending on funding availability.
  • All students must complete the application form posted on the SHDF website. Completion of the application form includes submission of all required documentation.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • Scholarship shall only be paid to the institution that students are attending. No funds shall be provided to applicants.
  • The decision of the Committee in awarding the Scholarships shall be final.
  • This scholarship shall be provided for one year of study at a time. Students in multi-year courses of study shall have to re-apply the next year.  Students attending vocational courses that are of different terms (e.g 18 months) shall be considered separately.
  • All students shall undertake to participate in the activities of the SHDF upon completion of their studies. After starting employment, they are encouraged and expected to contribute to SHDF, thus supporting the SHDF in its mission of providing Scholarships to more students.
  • Canvassing any member of the Scholarship Committee or any Board member of the SHDF is prohibited and may result in cancellation of the application.
  • All applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applications must be received before July 26,2025.  Applicants will be notified of the decision within 4 weeks of receipt of a completed application.
  • The amount of the Scholarship awarded shall be a maximum of US $3,000 per year. The actual amount awarded shall be determined by the Scholarship Committee. In exceptional circumstances, and subject to available funding, the Committee may exceed the maximum as permitted by the Board of SHDF.
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About SHDF

SHDF partners with Nishkam Sikh Welfare Council in New Delhi to manage scholarship operations, including inviting applications, conducting tests and interviews, and sending recommendations to SHDF.

SHDF determines all rules, procedures, and selection criteria. Each application is reviewed in detail to allocate need-based scholarships.

SHDF awarded a record 1,624 scholarships last year, bringing the total to over 13,000 scholarships since its inception. Over $5 million has been disbursed to support students.

Many graduates have successfully pursued careers in fields such as architecture, engineering, healthcare, IT, education, law, and medicine, transforming their lives and securing the futures of their families and communities.

Learn More

The Sikh Human Development Foundation is dedicated to catalyzing transformative change by offering scholarships to underserved yet ambitious students across Punjab and nearby regions. Through donor support, the Foundation has helped empower students to pursue advanced education and professional opportunities in diverse fields, awarding over 13,000 scholarships over the past two decades.

© SHDF 2025