EDUCATION INITIATIVE
Since its inception in 1999 with the Child Sponsorship Scheme, Loden has been dedicated to supporting education. The programme began by connecting donors with children in need of school supplies. In 2008, Loden expanded to include five Early Learning Centres for preschoolers, and later introduced the Youth Scholarship Programme, offering up to Nu. 300,000 annually to help meritorious students from low-income families pursue higher education. Additionally, the Student Empowerment through Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) initiative fosters critical thinking, innovation, and enterprise in higher educational institutions.
EDUCATION INITIATIVE HAS SIX DIFFERENT AREAS
Loden also promotes public educational forms such as Bhutan Dialogues, a monthly forum for civil conversations on current and pressing issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Youth Scholarship
The Loden Youth Scholarship Programme is an initiative aimed at enabling and empowering youth with educational opportunities for those aspiring to pursue a diploma or a bachelor’s degree. It offers scholarships up to Nu.300,000 released every year until graduation.
Eligibility criteria includes Bhutanese students with academic and cocurricular merit and demonstrates financial need.
The scholarship of up to Nu.300,000 can be used to cover tuition fees, accommodation, transportation and other related expenses for pursuing undergraduate or diploma studies at recognized institutions both within Bhutan and abroad. The agreed amount will be released each year, until graduation, upon the submission of the student’s annual examination results.
To apply for the scholarship programme, interested candidates need to complete the online application form available on the Loden Foundation’s official website during the designated application period. The application typically includes providing academic transcripts, proof of admission or application to a college or cover letter/personal statement, and payslips/bank statements of parents/guardians.
The selection process involves reviewing applications based on criteria such as academic performance, co-curricular participation, community involvement, applicants vision for their future, and financial need. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews for the final selection round.
The Loden Youth Scholarship Programme primarily targets individuals seeking to pursue higher education, including undergraduate and diploma studies. Current university students may be eligible to apply for specific scholarship opportunities, depending on their academic achievements and financial need.
Recipients of the Loden Youth Scholarship are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress, actively participate in leadership development activities, contribute to community service initiatives, and participate in Loden initiated projects and events as part of their commitment to the programme.
The number of scholarships awarded each year may vary depending on available funding and the quality of applications received. The programme aims to support as many deserving candidates as possible while maintaining high standards of selection.
Although the documents required may change for each selection year, the application typically requires the following documents:
- Filled out online scholarship application form
- A cover letter written by the student explaining how receiving the scholarship would alleviate their financial burdens and help them achieve their educational goals and career aspirations.
- The candidates must submit their Class 12 academic transcript
- The candidate must submit proof of application to a college/university of their choice (such as a screenshot of notification of application received by the college).
- Income Sheet/Payslip OR Latest Bank Statements from 3 months ago of guardian/parents
Please view the announcement of that year to get the most accurate information regarding documents required for the application.
To stay informed about upcoming scholarship opportunities, interested individuals can regularly visit the Loden Foundation’s official website and follow the foundation’s social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn for announcements and updates regarding the scholarship programme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Child Sponsorship Programme
The program is open to underprivileged children in Bhutan who are attending school from pre-primary (PP) to grade 12. Children in monastic education below the age of 18 are also eligible.
The sponsorship provides financial support for school-related expenses, including uniforms, stationery, and sports gear. The amount provided varies based on the child’s grade level.
Children are selected based on recommendations from trusted individuals such as focal teachers, local leaders, and Loden volunteers. The selection process also considers the child’s academic background, economic need, and other relevant criteria.
Applicants must submit a reference letter from a teacher, a filled-out application form, a cover letter explaining the childs need for support, a recent photograph, the most recent examination/progress report, and a reference contact number.
Individuals and institutions can donate to the Loden Child Sponsorship Program. Donations will be linked to a specific child.
Yes, you can meet the child you’re sponsoring, but it must be done in the presence of Loden staff or the child’s guardian.
The sponsorship can be terminated if the child fails their annual examination for two consecutive years or if the family’s financial situation improves significantly.
Please visit the Loden Foundation website or contact # directly for inquiries and donations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Loden Short Term Loan
The Loden Foundation Short-Term Student Loan is a financial assistance program designed to support Bhutanese students pursuing higher education by providing loans to cover short-term expenses such as tuition fees, examination fees, or other educational-related costs. Applicants can apply for a loan of up to Nu.300,000
Eligibility typically extends to Bhutanese citizens enrolled in recognized educational institutions, including colleges, universities, vocational training centers, or other accredited programs, who require financial assistance to meet immediate educational expenses.
The loan covers various short-term educational expenses, including but not limited to tuition fees, examination fees, and other essential academic-related costs necessary for the student’s educational pursuits.
Interested applicants can apply for the Short-Term Student Loan by completing the application form available on the Loden Foundation’s official website during the designated application period. The application typically requires providing information about the student’s educational program, financial need, and other relevant details.
Repayment terms for the loan may vary depending on the individual’s financial circumstances and the loan amount. The beneficiaries are expected to repay the loan before the start of the next academic year. The loan repayment is done on an Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) basis over 12 months and the monthly payment will start 1 month after disbursement.
The Loden Foundation Short-Term Student Loan is designed to provide accessible financial assistance to students, and collateral may not be required for loan approval. However, applicants are subject to credit assessment and must demonstrate the ability to repay the loan within the agreed-upon terms.
The Student loan is interest and collateral free. The beneficiary shall be charged a service fee of 2% per annum on the principal amount of the loan. The fee will be deducted from the approved amount before it is paid, which means the actual amount received by the Student Loan Beneficiary will be 98% of the approved amount.
Yes, individuals may apply for the Short-Term Student Loan even if the student is receiving other forms of financial aid, such as partial scholarships or grants. However, the applicant must submit proof of need for a loan.
- Filled out Student Loan Services Application Form
- Proof of Admission to college/university (example acceptance letter or screenshot of complete submitted application
- Fee structure from college/university
- Passport sized photo of applicant
- Passport sized photo of student
- CIB report of the loan applicant (parent or guardian)
- CIB report of the guarantor who will be in charge of repayment should the loan applicant be unable to repay
- Income statement of applicant
- Income statement of spouse
- Cover letter explaining why you need the Student Loan and how you plan to repay
- Class 12 results of student beneficiary
- Undertaking letter from the office of the loan applicant (upon selection)