President Boakai Expands Presidential Scholarship Program Nationwide, Extends Access to Public High Schools and TVET Institutions
Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, Chairperson of the Presidential Scholarship Committee, Hon. Bill McGill Jones, disclosed the expansion on Friday, August 7, 2026, when he spoke at the Executive Mansion’s regular press briefing.
The expansion follows an ongoing restructuring of the Presidential Scholarship Program by the Presidential Scholarship Steering Committee and is intended to broaden access to educational opportunities, reduce the financial burden on families, and empower young Liberians to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to national development.
The Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs Scholarship Program was launched in December 2024 as a merit-based initiative designed to expand access to higher education for some of Liberia’s most promising young people.
Since its inception, the program has supported more than 490 scholars across 22 colleges and universities in seven counties—Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, Margibi, Grand Kru, Maryland, and Lofa—with nearly 100 students expected to graduate this year.
Minister Jones said the program’s expansion is intended to ensure that more qualified Liberians, particularly students enrolled in public educational institutions, can benefit from the initiative.
Under the expansion plan, new coverage will include 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 Committee will also increase the number of scholarship beneficiaries in Lofa, Nimba, Grand Kru, Maryland, and Margibi Counties, while rolling out the program to public institutions in additional counties as part of the broader national expansion.
In a significant expansion of the program, the Presidential Scholarship will also be extended to public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, recognizing the importance of technical and vocational skills in preparing young Liberians for employment, entrepreneurship, and national development.
The program will further be rolled out to public high schools, universities, and community colleges across Liberia’s 15 counties.
Minister Jones emphasized that the scholarship remains merit-based and operates under three principal categories.
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 and demonstrated humanitarian need may qualify for Financial Aid covering 60 percent of tuition.
In addition, all scholarship beneficiaries are required to complete 10 hours of community service per semester, fostering a culture of civic responsibility and giving back to their communities.
As part of the program’s 2026 activities, the Office of the President will host the first Inter-University Debate among Presidential Scholarship recipients on August 13–14, 2026, 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.”
The event will bring together nearly 500 scholarship beneficiaries and is designed to promote critical thinking, public speaking, academic excellence, and civic engagement among Liberia’s future leaders.
Winners of the debate will receive institutional and individual awards, which will be presented by President Boakai during the National Flag Day Program on August 24, 2026.
The Government of Liberia provides US$200,000 annually through budgetary appropriation under the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs to cover tuition costs for scholarship recipients. This investment is complemented by corporate partnerships that have helped sustain the program since its establishment.
The Ministry of State has expressed appreciation to the program’s corporate sponsors, including Orange Liberia, NASSCORP, Liberia Maritime Authority, Liberia Telecommunications Authority, National Port Authority, and the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company, for their continued support to the Presidential Scholarship Program and its annual activities.
Minister Jones disclosed that 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 established requirements are encouraged to apply.
The expansion of the Presidential Scholarship Program represents another step by the Boakai Administration toward broadening educational opportunities, strengthening Liberia’s human capital, reducing the financial burden on families, and preparing a new generation of Liberians to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
