Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has allocated Rs 170 million in its annual budget to provide financial support to the needy students in the form of fee-waivers. The annual budgetary allocation to this effect has almost been doubled in the recent years, in order to ensure that the financial constraint should not be a hurdle in continuation of future study. “We are fulfilling our social responsibility to take care of marginalised sections of the society,” AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shahid Siddiqui. The scholarships could be availed during the on-going admissions that will continue unti September 5. The AIOU is the only university in the country that had the distinction of providing free education to the disabled persons, prisoners, drop-out girls and transgender community. The university has also announced free matriculation education to the students of Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Balochistan. The university provides special scholarship to its enrolled students on scoring 75 percent and above marks in their latest results as it policy of encouraging talented students. According to AIOU Students’ Advisory Affairs Director Rana Tariq Javed, the deserving students could contact the university’s offices in their respective region to apply for the concession. They may download application form from the link given in the university’s website and send it to the through the relevant department in the university as well. In all, nine scholarship schemes are being offered by the university. These include Earn to Learn Scheme, Outreach Scholarship Scheme, Final Year Project Grant Scheme, Scholarship for Communities, Scholarship For Women, Fee Installment Scheme and Alumni-Sponsored Scholarship. The merit scholarships scheme is an initiative to generate competition among students and encourage brilliant students. The scholarship is being offered to the fresh and continuing students of all levels scoring 75 percent and above marks in their latest results. Published in Daily Times, August 22nd 2018.