How the Scheme works
Eligible students apply for a Book Prize through this website only. The application page guides students on how to ensure all the necessary information and materials are submitted. Applications are not competitive, and the number of Prizes is not capped. All students that meet the eligibility criteria and who submit the necessary documentation in the correct manner will receive a financial Prize every term for their full university program, subject to passing their exams each semester, upholding good conduct and keeping Bright Sparks informed of their progress. The financial support is a fixed amount, dispersed each semester, and does not need to be repaid.
We ask you to share this information with other Brights Sparks scholars that you studied with, remember this is not a competitive process, everyone that is eligible will receive a Book Prize.
It is our hope that once earning, Bright Sparks scholars will pay forward their support and donate funds to Bright Sparks equivalent to the costs of one student studying from secondary school through to university.
Your initial application is a critical step where you provide the information and evidence that you meet the eligibility criteria. You must upload the official documentation that provides Bright Sparks with evidence of 1) Malawi School Certificate of Education results 2) acceptance and admission to your university course 3) notification of approval for HESLGB tuition fee and upkeep loans.
Once successful in making your initial application, you are eligible for a Book Prize for the full duration of your first undergraduate university course. We do not provide Prizes for subsequent post graduate degrees, masters or doctorates.
Once approved for a Book Prize, you must upload your bank details and the dates of each of your semesters. Funding is usually provided in the week before the start of each semester and students can send a request for funds through this web platform.
Bright Sparks provides a fixed Prize amount that is agreed each year by the trustees based on consideration of the cost of learning materials, the number of successful applicants and the funds that the organization has available. The amount is fixed and is the same for all students.
It is our expectation that you manage your funds wisely, making choices of how best to use it in service of your education needs. We do not provide additional monies in reaction to student’s requests or pleas.
During your course it is imperative that you return to this platform to upload your exam results and evidence that you have passed to the next academic year. In each case the documents that you upload must have your name visible. Screen grabs of online university student portals are acceptable forms of evidence.
You must also make yourself available to meet with representatives of the Bright Sparks Trust organisation if requested during your course, and the continuation of your scholarship is dependent on being available if requested.
Bright Sparks does not provide Book Prizes to students repeating a year.