NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has significantly expanded Liberia’s Presidential Scholarship Program, opening access to students in public high schools, universities, community colleges and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across all 15 counties.
The expansion, announced by Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs and Chairperson of the Presidential Scholarship Committee, Bill McGill Jones, is part of the Boakai Administration’s broader education and human capital development agenda under the ARREST Agenda.
Minister Jones disclosed the initiative on Friday, August 7, during the Executive Mansion’s regular press briefing, saying the expansion is intended to give more young Liberians access to educational opportunities while reducing the financial burden on families.
The restructuring of the scholarship program is being led by the Presidential Scholarship Steering Committee and will significantly broaden the number and category of students eligible to benefit.
Program Reaches All 15 Counties
The Presidential Scholarship Program was launched in December 2024 as a merit-based initiative designed to provide greater access to higher education for promising Liberian students.
Since its establishment, the program has supported more than 490 students across 22 colleges and universities in seven counties—Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, Margibi, Grand Kru, Maryland and Lofa.
Nearly 100 scholarship beneficiaries are expected to graduate this year.
Under the latest expansion, the program will add institutions including Grand Bassa University, Bong County University, Sinoe County Community College, Grand Gedeh Community College, Bomi County University and David A. Straz Technical College of the University of Liberia in Sinje, Grand Cape Mount County.
The scholarship committee will also increase the number of beneficiaries in Lofa, Nimba, Grand Kru, Maryland and Margibi counties while extending the initiative to public educational institutions in other counties.
The government says the objective is to ensure that qualified students, particularly those attending public institutions, are not excluded because of financial hardship.
TVET Students to Benefit
In one of the program’s most significant changes, the Presidential Scholarship will now cover students enrolled at public TVET institutions.
The government says the move recognizes the growing importance of technical and vocational skills in addressing unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship and preparing young Liberians for the labor market.
The program will also be extended to public high schools, universities and community colleges throughout Liberia’s 15 counties.
Scholarship Remains Merit-Based
Despite the expansion, the government says the program will continue to operate on merit and established eligibility criteria.
Students with a minimum 3.00 GPA may qualify for an Academic Scholarship providing 100 percent tuition coverage.
Students with at least a 2.5 GPA who can demonstrate humanitarian need may qualify for Financial Aid covering 60 percent of tuition.
All scholarship beneficiaries are also required to complete 10 hours of community service per semester, a requirement the government says is intended to promote civic responsibility and encourage students to contribute to their communities.
Nearly 500 Scholars Set for Inter-University Debate
As part of the program’s 2026 activities, the Office of the President will host the first Inter-University Debate among Presidential Scholarship recipients from August 13–14 at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex.
The debate will be held under the theme: “Empowering Youth Intellect, Driving National Development — Scholars Arena, where academic excellence is rewarded and intellect inspires the future.”
Nearly 500 scholarship beneficiaries are expected to participate in the event, which is designed to promote critical thinking, public speaking, academic excellence and civic engagement.
Winners will receive institutional and individual awards, with President Boakai expected to present the awards during the National Flag Day Program on August 24, 2026.
US$200,000 Government Funding
The Government of Liberia currently provides US$200,000 annually through the national budget under the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs to cover tuition costs for scholarship recipients.
The government says the public funding is supplemented by corporate partnerships that have helped sustain the program.
The Ministry of State has acknowledged the support of Orange Liberia, NASSCORP, the Liberia Maritime Authority, Liberia Telecommunications Authority, National Port Authority and Liberia Petroleum Refining Company for their contributions to the scholarship program and its activities.
Applications to Open Soon
Minister Jones said applications for the next intake will open shortly through the Executive Mansion’s official website and Facebook page.
Eligible students in the 10 counties identified for the upcoming application process who meet the scholarship requirements will be encouraged to apply.
The government says the nationwide expansion is intended to move the Presidential Scholarship Program beyond traditional university assistance and make it a broader national investment in education, skills development and youth empowerment.
For the Boakai Administration, the expansion represents an effort to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent qualified Liberians from pursuing education and acquiring the skills needed to contribute to the country’s economic and social development.
