The ASEC Scholarship Program empowers Catholic Sisters across nine countries with access to education, enabling them to better serve their congregations and communities, with over 890 scholarships awarded since 2012.
ASEC’s Scholarship Program aims to bridge the gap to higher education for sisters by providing scholarships to complete secondary school or higher education credentials relevant to sisters’ ministries. The program was initially founded in 2012 to address the specific educational needs of sisters in Tanzania, where 65% of women religious at that time lacked secondary education. However, since its founding, the ASEC Scholarship Program has expanded to serve sisters in eight additional countries.
From 2012-2024, more than 890 sisters received scholarships through the program. Sisters in the Scholarship Program have studied at over 195 educational institutions and represent 125 distinct congregations of women religious.
A 97% retention rate reaffirms that sisters who receive a scholarship successfully complete their programs of study.
In 2023-2024, more than 165 new and 116 continuing students received ASEC scholarships.
More than 582 ASEC-sponsored sisters and women have graduated from their programs of study.
Of those that have graduated, 270 received secondary/form-level credentials and 312 college/university level credentials.
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Expansion to Zimbabwe
In 2024, ASEC expanded the Scholarship Program to its eighth country, Zimbabwe, bringing ASEC’s total of countries served by all programs to eleven. Leadership members of the Conference of Major Religious Superiors (CMRS) in Zimbabwe have expressed interest in expanding ASEC programs to their country for several years. In 2019, ASEC representatives visited Zimbabwe to conduct a needs assessment related to ASEC programs. They assessed educational needs for sisters in Zimbabwe and established a clear demand for educational attainment among sisters there, as well as the need for funding to support higher education. Given this evidence, ASEC made the groundbreaking decision to begin providing educational programming for sisters in Zimbabwe via the Scholarship Program in 2024. On August 8, 2024, the ASEC staff, along with the Chair and Secretary of the ASEC Board of Directors, met virtually with members of the CMRS to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that initiates our official partnership.
Scholarship Alumnae Workshop Pilot
In 2024-2025, ASEC plans to pilot the inclusion of Scholarship Alumnae in its annual Alumnae Workshops, which currently serves HESA and SLDI alumnae only. The pilot will include approximately 31 Scholarship Alumnae—10 from Tanzania, 5 from Ghana, 5 from Lesotho, 5 from Malawi, 5 from Zambia, and 1 from Kenya—who are not currently served through the workshops.
Bigwa Secondary School
On May 18, 2024, the Bigwa Secondary School in Tanzania held its 35th commencement ceremony. Among the graduates were 33 students—31 sisters and 2 lay women—who were supported through the Scholarship Program. Since 2012, ASEC’s partnership with Bigwa has given 274 sisters and lay women the chance to finish their high school degrees, providing them with the education and credentials to go on and better serve their congregations and communities. Of the numerous Bigwa graduates supported by ASEC, 82 have gone on to pursue higher education through our Scholarship and HESA programs.
Doctoral Level Scholarships
Beginning in 2020, ASEC began sponsoring sisters to study at the doctoral level at ASEC partner institutions in Kenya. To date, four women religious have participated in this level of the program with one graduating in October 2021 and the remaining three continuing their studies in 2024.
Awarding Scholarships
Sisters apply to the program and depending on the support of people like you, ASEC awards scholarships to the best applicants.
Demand for this program is very high, and not all sisters who apply can receive a scholarship. ASEC chooses the top applicants to receive scholarships based on merit and available funding. Scholarships are usually awarded for the full length of time it will take a sister to complete her degree, most commonly 2-3 years.
Help Sisters Access Education and Transform Communities
Catholic Sisters are vital changemakers in communities across Africa, but many lack access to the education they need to fulfill their missions. ASEC’s Scholarship Program ensures sisters can complete secondary school and higher education, equipping them to make a greater impact in healthcare, education, and social services. With a 97% retention rate and growing demand, your support can help bridge the gap for sisters who are waiting to receive this life-changing opportunity.
What You Can Do:
You can make a difference by sponsoring the education of a Sister today. Your donation provides scholarships that allow Sisters to gain the qualifications they need to lead with confidence and compassion.
This article is addressing the following UN Sustainable Development Goal(s):
