Non-state scholarships dominate various gateways to real partnerships around the world but this is not possible when a lot of them are under-publicized.

Not long ago, when digital literacy was lacking in society, students had very little exposure to global updates and opportunities. With this minimal access, students only followed what was in front of them, unaware of what existed beyond it. But, times has changed, students is any university now have a wider range of scholarships, overseas pathways and funding options than ever before. Still, many lose out, not because opportunities are lacking, but because the information rarely reaches the audience in a clear, more timely way.

The root of the problem is the absence of a central system to share these opportunities to aware the public. Scholarship or other awarding details are scattered across numerous platforms, buried in websites and posts students may never come across. This is a reason why Sri Lankan students miss about non-state university scholarships.

What are the Non-State university scholarships many students miss out on?

1. Institution-Specific Scholarships

• SLIIT (Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology) : LAF-SLIIT

SLIIT has a Higher Education Scholarship Program (LAF-SLIIT) for 2025: they offer 25% off the entire tuition fee for 8 semesters. A quarter off tuition for the full degree but many students don’t realize such long-term scholarships exist at non-state universities. A-level top performers ( 3 As) can get a full tuition waiver as well.

• ITEC Scholarship at NIIBS / SICT:

The Nagananda International Institute for Buddhist Studies (NIIBS) offers a fully funded Buddhist Nuns scholarship. This is a full scholarship with tuition, stipend, and work-study arrangement. This scholarship is available from the Bachelor’s degree program up to the Doctoral degree: Bachelor’s Degree (B.A.) in Buddhist Studies, Master’s Degree (M.A.) in Buddhist Studies, Master’s Philosophy (MPhil) in Buddhist Studies and Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in Buddhist Studies.

2. Interest-Free Student Loan Scheme

• For Sri Lankan students who have passed the G.C.E. (Advanced Level) exam, the Ministry of Education’s Student Loans Division administers the Interest Free Students Loan Scheme (IFSLS). The Ministry of Education offers the chance to pursue certain degree programs that are accredited and approved by all non-state higher education institutions.

Qualified applicants should use the online system facilitated through www.studentloans.mohe.gov.lk
website for submission of applications. The loan ceiling is Rs 1.5 million, plus an additional stipend (for living) per year. For payment, there’s a grace period (1 year after graduation), then you repay over several years. Some of the participating non-state institutes include SLIIT, NSBM, Saegis, ICBT, Horizon Campus, and more have this option.

3. International / Affiliated University Programmes (Through Private Institutes)

Some private institutes in Sri Lanka run degree programs in affiliation with foreign universities. For example:

• Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) offers British degree programs via partnerships with universities like Keele. Their postgraduate centre has a £3,000 scholarship for some programmes.

Depending on the UK partner university (Keele, Westminster, etc.), there may be other scholarships or fee waivers for international students. You will need to check with IIT and the partner universities for what’s available for Sri Lankan students at any intake. Check how “local vs UK” qualification is awarded and scholarship availability may change. So always ask for the most recent bursary / fee waiver information.

• AIC Campus / IMC Education

Specifically, for the French-language side, AIC Campus launched a scholarship in collaboration with the Embassy of France / Alliance Française to teach French to selected students. For the European Engineering degree (BSc Civil / Mechanical via Belarus), AIC claims “scholarships and payment plans” for students. For the MBA, AIC offers a European MBA in collaboration with IPAC (France). The MBA is European, UGC-recognized in Sri Lanka, and, according to AIC, costs “70% lower” than studying abroad.

Even if a degree is “European” or “foreign”, check exactly what kind of degree you’re getting (is the diploma from the foreign university, or is it a “top-up”/“award” from them?) and Confirm the recognition of that foreign degree in Sri Lanka and abroad (if you plan to work or study further).

• CINEC Campus

Cinec Campus had a number of international partnerships for degree-programmes such as Anglia Ruskin University (UK), Dalian Maritime University (China), Australian Maritime College and Chisholm Institute (Australia). Because these are members of international partnerships, the globally recognized qualification might come with costs but also sometimes with assistance.

• Australasian Academy

Australasian Academy, in partnership with Holmesglen Institute Australia, recently announced the launch of Sri Lanka’s first Australian Dual Diploma pathway, offering students LKR 1.5M scholarships and a direct and seamless entry into the second year of an Information Technology degree in Australia.

These strong international ties Sri Lanka’s non-state institutions provide allow students to enroll in degree programs that have been approved abroad without having to travel abroad. They are therefore appealing choices for people looking for flexible, affordable routes to internationally recognized credentials.

Financial help and scholarships offered differ greatly based on the curriculum and the foreign partner university which is a domain students should mainly focus on. Students should get in touch with the financial assistance or admissions offices of organizations like IIT, AIC, CINEC, and IMC to learn about the most accurate opportunities. Examining the scholarship pages of affiliated universities, like Keele University or Anglia Ruskin University, is especially crucial because many of them provide special fee waivers or bursaries for international or offshore students.

Speaking with seniors and alumni can provide practical insight into how often these scholarships are awarded in reality and whether students typically receive meaningful financial support or end up paying full fees. This helps prospective students make informed decisions before committing to a programme.

For details regarding state university scholarship and funding scheme options, visit: Scholarship confusion: Students overlooking State University Opportunities