President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has expanded the Presidential Scholarship Program to cover public high schools, universities, community colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across Liberia’s 15 counties.
The move is aimed at giving more Liberian students an opportunity to continue their education while easing some of the financial pressure on families.
Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Presidential Scholarship Committee, Bill McGill Jones, announced the expansion Friday, August 7, during the Executive Mansion’s regular press briefing.
Jones said the decision followed an ongoing review of the scholarship program and is intended to reach more qualified students, especially those attending public institutions.
The Presidential Scholarship Program was launched in December 2024 as a merit-based initiative to help promising Liberian students pursue higher education.
Since its launch, more than 490 students at 22 colleges and universities in seven counties have benefited from the program, according to the Ministry of State. Nearly 100 of the beneficiaries are expected to graduate this year.
The expansion will bring several additional institutions into the program, including Grand Bassa University, Bong County University, Sinoe County Community College, Grand Gedeh Community College, Bomi County University and the David A. Straz Technical College of the University of Liberia in Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County.
The government also plans to increase the number of scholarship recipients in Lofa, Nimba, Grand Kru, Maryland and Margibi counties.
The program will now also cover public TVET institutions, a move the government says will give more young people access to practical skills for employment and entrepreneurship.
The scholarship remains based on academic performance and financial need.
Students with a GPA of at least 3.00 can qualify for a scholarship covering their full tuition, while those with a GPA of 2.5 or higher who can demonstrate humanitarian need may receive assistance covering 60 percent of tuition.
Recipients are also required to perform 10 hours of community service each semester.
Meanwhile, scholarship beneficiaries are expected to take part in the first Inter-University Debate organized under the program on August 13 and 14 at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia.
The debate, which is expected to bring together nearly 500 beneficiaries, will focus on academic excellence, public speaking, critical thinking and civic responsibility.
The winners will receive institutional and individual awards, which President Boakai is expected to present during the National Flag Day celebration on August 24.
The government currently provides US$200,000 annually through the national budget to support tuition for scholarship recipients. The program is also supported by several corporate partners, including Orange Liberia, NASSCORP, the Liberia Maritime Authority, Liberia Telecommunications Authority, National Port Authority and Liberia Petroleum Refining Company.
Jones said applications for the next round of scholarships will open soon through the Executive Mansion’s official website and Facebook page.
The expansion marks one of the administration’s latest efforts to widen access to education and skills training under the education component of its ARREST Agenda.
