CTA to Use Corpus Fund for Student Scholarships as USAID Grant Faces Delay

By Tenzin Chokyi

DHARAMSALA, 4 Dec: The Education Department of the Central Tibetan Administration, commonly referred to as the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, will use its corpus fund to provide scholarships for Tibetan students “next week,” as the USAID grant of 3 crore rupees for 400 students faces delays—possibly extending into next year—due to the recent US government shutdown.

Tibetan students, including those currently in the midst of their academic year, reportedly received a letter from the department on 1 December informing them that their scholarship disbursement would be delayed until the donor approves the budget. The letter requested that they patiently wait until the end of the month.

As many students—particularly those already enrolled in their courses and often among the top performers who receive these scholarships—rely on timely disbursement, the delay has caused considerable anxiety within the student community.

Speaking to Tibet Express today, Sonam Sangmo, head of the CTA’s Scholarship Section, said that regardless of whether the USAID funding is approved on time, the department has decided to provide the scholarships in advance next week using its corpus fund.

She stated that students will receive the same amount they would have received through the USAID funding, which provides the department with a fixed grant of 3 crore rupees for 400 students. “We consider education to be very important, and it is something that should be supported regardless of external aid,” she said.

She further explained that the department can provide support to students who urgently need the funding through the required procedures. “We spoke with some of the students, and they don’t seem to be greatly concerned about the delay; some even said they can wait for 15 days,” she added.

More than three weeks have passed since the 43-day US government shutdown ended on 12 November. When asked how confident the department is that the funding will come through—and when—she responded that the grant will indeed be released, emphasising that it is only a matter of time. “We do not have to worry about not receiving the funding, as the US government has already sent us a letter approving the 3-crore-rupee grant for the department,” she said.  

She concluded by saying that she thinks 100 per cent that the grants will come through, and that they have not arrived so far because of the US government shutdown.

According to data provided by the Scholarship Department, a total of 605 scholarships have been announced for the year 2025. Out of 499 applicants, all but three students have been accepted. As of today, the department provides scholarships to 1,200 students, including applicants from previous years, some of whom are currently facing delays in their scholarship disbursement.