LUMS National Outreach Programme (NOP) Scholarship 2021

LUMS is offering the National Outreach Programme (NOP) Scholarship 2021 to talented and deserving students all over the country. Students who have secured at least 80% in their matriculation exams or the equivalent in O Levels are eligible to apply for the Programme 2021. The last date to apply for the scholarship is March 16, 2021.

The selected students will be able to continue their undergraduate studies in any of the following schools and in any of their courses.

Sulaiman Dawood School of Business
Mushtaq Ahmed Gurmani School of Humanities & Social Sciences
Syed Babar Ali School of Science and Engineering
Shaikh Ahmad Hassan School of Law

LUMS NOP Scholarship 2021

National Outreach Programme offered by LUMS has been active since the year 2001. The LUMS NOP has been providing a world-class education to deserving and talents students all over Pakistan. This prestigious scholarship programme focuses on identifying exceptional students of the country and inducts them into the LUMS Undergraduate Programmes.

Application Process

The NOP team visits schools/colleges in various cities, towns and villages all over Pakistan to give presentations about the LUMS National Outreach Programme.
Students send their applications for the NOP Summer Coaching Session to LUMS and the shortlisted students are invited on campus in the summer to experience university life at LUMS.
Students hoping to attain the NOP scholarship apply for admission to LUMS along with other regular students.
Students take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), which is funded by LUMS.
Based on the financial need assessment, admitted students are offered a fully-funded scholarship in the LUMS undergraduate programmes.
A student from anywhere in Pakistan can apply if he/she meets the criteria of marks and financial need. There are no separate seats/quota for students based on region, ethnicity and/or extra-curricular activities.

Eligibility Criteria for LUMS NOP Scholarship 2021

At least 80% marks in Matric or equivalent in O-Levels
Financial need

The students shortlisted on the above criteria are invited to NOP summer coaching session, where they are examined through different exercises and tests. Students are evaluated on their performance at the Summer Coaching Session and are registered for the entrance test, completely paid for by LUMS. Finally, students who apply to LUMS and qualify on merit, are offered admission on full scholarship.

All students, irrespective of whether they apply directly or through the NOP programme are evaluated on the same admission criteria. While assessing financial need, a review committee ensures transparency in the process of awarding scholarships to all those who qualify for admission.

How to Apply for LUMS NOP Scholarship

Students who meet the eligibility criteria can apply.

STEP 1 – Application Process

Apply to NOP while you are in the first year of Intermediate or A-Levels. This will be two years before the start date of the undergraduate program at LUMS. Students attending the coaching session in 2020 will be able to join LUMS in 2021. You can fill out your online application at https://nopscs.lums.edu.pk

STEP 2 – Summer Coaching Session

Shortlisted candidates will be called in for two week summer coaching session at LUMS. The session will be arranged during the summer holidays and all expenses, except travelling will be covered by LUMS.

STEP 3 – SAT Registration Fee

LUMS will pay the SAT registration fee of candidates who successfully complete the NOP Summer Coaching Session.

STEP 4 – LUMS Admission Form

The next step for successful NOP Summer Coaching Session candidates is to fill an online application for admission to LUMS through the following link: https://admissions.lums.edu.pk/. Qualifying students will become LUMS NOP Scholars.

Admission Test

When the candidate gets shortlisted on the basis of their performance in the summer coaching session, these students are then asked to register for the entrance exam, the SAT. The application forms for undergraduate programs are provided online. The admission status is communicated by the end of June-July each year. Finally, the applicants who qualify on merit are offered admission at LUMS and are eligible for the National Outreach Programme (NOP) scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

LUMS NOP Scholarship 2021

Question: What subjects do you offer in NOP?

Answer: NOP is not a course; it’s a scholarship that LUMS offers at the undergraduate (Bachelors) level.

Question: When do I apply?

Answer: The best time to register is when you are in the first year of FA/ FSc. Since the process takes two years, by the time you finish your Intermediate, you will be able to start your Undergraduate classes at LUMS, if selected for admission. Students who register for the National Outreach Program Summer Coaching Session for the year 2018 will be able to join the Undergraduate Programme at LUMS in year 2019.

Question: Is there any other way for second year Intermediate students to apply for NOP and save time as well?

Answer: Second-year students have the option of applying through the regular admission process. You would need to fill out the LUMS Online Undergraduate Admission Application as well as the Financial Aid section within the application. If you get admission in LUMS, your case will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee. In case the committee decides that the student qualifies for more than a 100% scholarship, he/ she will be awarded the NOP scholarship which includes but is not limited to hostel accommodation expenses, book allowance and living allowance.

Question: Who can apply for this scholarship?

Answer: The NOP Scholarship is a need-based scholarship. Only those students who can establish their eligibility as a genuinely deserving candidate with 80% and above marks in Matriculation or the equivalent in O Levels, will be considered.

Question: Does the admission criterion for NOP candidates differ from those who are applying through the regular admission process?

Answer: As LUMS does not compromise on merit, NOP candidates have to fulfill the same academic criteria as other students applying through the regular admission stream.

Question: Every year how many students do you induct into the LUMS Undergraduate Programmes through NOP?

Answer: We do not have any annual quota for inducting the students through NOP into the LUMS Undergraduate Programmes. All candidates who fulfill NOP eligibility criteria and qualify on LUMS merit are offered admission into the Undergraduate Programme through the NOP Scholarship. Moreover, the NOP does not have any provincial or city based quota. That is, a student coming from any part of the country can make it to LUMS as long as that particular student is meeting LUMS admission criteria.

Summer Coaching Session

Question: How do I register for the NOP Summer Coaching Session?

Answer: In order to register for the NOP Summer Coaching Session you must create an online application through the following link: https://nopscs.lums.edu.pk and input all the required information. Once you submit your application online, you will have to send required academic and financial aid documents to the LUMS NOP Centre in order to complete the application process. Only applications with complete online information and hard copies of documents will be processed.

Question: How can a student avail scholarship if he/ she does not clear the Summer Coaching Session?

Answer: NOP is an option that facilitates brilliant and deserving students to apply at LUMS. If a student is unable to clear the Summer Coaching Session then that particular student can still apply to LUMS for admission and can avail this scholarship through the regular admission process. For that they would need to fill out the online Undergraduate Admission and Financial Aid Application. If he/ she clears the SAT and is granted admission to LUMS, then his/ her case will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee. If the committee decides that the student qualifies for more than a 100% scholarship, he/ she may be awarded the NOP scholarship.

Question: Are the selected students from the Summer Coaching Session guaranteed admission in LUMS Undergraduate Programmes?

Answer: No, these students are not guaranteed admission. They will have to qualify on merit by performing well in their Intermediate/ A-Levels and the SAT. We admit students purely on the basis of merit through a very transparent and competitive process. The objective of the National Outreach Programme is to guide and mentor talented students who do not have the means to prepare for the SAT which is a mandatory requirement for admission to LUMS. The entire session is designed to help students in applying to LUMS Programmes and meet admission standards.

Question: What is the purpose of the NOP Summer Coaching Session?

Answer: The objective of this Summer Coaching Session is to prepare the short-listed candidates for the upcoming SAT & SSE Subject Test (LUMS Admission Tests) and to give them a hands on experience of life at LUMS.

Question: In which city is this Summer Coaching Session usually organized?

Answer: We have been conducting this session for many years at the LUMS Campus which is located in Defense Housing Authority (DHA) Cantt, Lahore.

Question: After joining the Summer Coaching Session how can students manage their regular Intermediate classes?

Answer: The Summer Coaching Session is arranged during the summers; in July and August when intermediate students are on vacation.

Question: What if I cannot attend the Summer Coaching Session?

Answer: If a student fails to attend the Summer Coaching Session, his/ her admission application will not be processed through National Outreach Programme stream but he/she will have the option to apply through Regular Financial Aid stream.

Question: What is the criterion for shortlisting students from the Summer Coaching Session?

Answer: Participants are shortlisted on the basis of their performance in the Summer Coaching Session. A student’s performance is evaluated on factors such as class participation, performances in the tests and quizzes, class conduct, punctuality, and discipline. As classes during the Summer Coaching Session are mandatory for the participating students to attend, hence adherence to the attendance policy is also taken into consideration.

Admission Online Application

Question: How does the admission process proceed after the Summer Coaching Session?Answer: After getting short-listed on the basis of their performance in the Summer Coaching Session, students are registered for SAT. Test Registration forms for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) are provided free of cost. These students are also required to submit the online Admission & Financial Aid application. After the Application Submission and Test registration, NOP applicants are required to appear in the SAT. Finally, the applicants who are offered admission at LUMS are interviewed by the Financial Aid Committee in order to assess the need of the applicant. Based on the decision, an official intimation is sent to the student which he/ she can choose to accept or reject.

Question: What is the process of filling out the online admission application?

Answer: For detailed information, click here

Question: Do I need to apply for Financial Aid in my online admission application?

Answer: Yes, it is absolutely necessary for students to fill out the financial aid section of the online admission application if they want to be considered for the award of scholarship.

Question: Who can I get in touch with in case I have queries related to the Online Admission Application?

Answer: You can write to helpdeskAO@lums.edu.pk if you have any queries related to the Online Admission Application. Similarly for queries on filling the Financial Aid Section, you can write to helpdeskofa@lums.edu.pk

SAT

Question: What is the SAT?

Answer: SAT stands for the Scholastic Aptitude Test. It is a standardized test offered by College Board for students of 12th Grade or Equivalent. For more information, you can visit the following website: https://www.collegeboard.org/

Question: Can we appear in any other aptitude test for admission to LUMS Undergraduate Programmes

Answer: No, SAT is the only acceptable aptitude test for admission to LUMS. In case you are applying to the Syed Babar Ali School of Engineering (SBASSE), you will be required to appear in the LUMS SBASSE Subject Test as well. For details, please visit the following link: https://admission.lums.edu.pk/testing

Question: What subjects are tested in the SAT-I?

Answer: The redesigned SAT tests a student’s English and Mathematics skills.

Question: What is the duration of the SAT-I?

Answer: The SAT is a 3 hour 50-minute exam (including an optional essay which takes 50 minutes), consisting of five sections: Reading, Writing, Math (with calculator), Math (no calculator), and Essay (optional). However, for admission to LUMS students have to opt for SAT with Essay.

Question: Are there any breaks between the Test?

Answer: Yes, the breaks are usually in between different sections There is one 10-minute and one five-minute break during the test, these are the only times you can eat and drink.

Question: What stationary is required on the test day?

Answer: Candidates will be required to bring a calculator and 2b pencils with them in order to take the test.

Question: Is a passport required in order to be able to take the SAT?

Answer: A passport is absolutely essential if you wish to take the SAT. A passport is the only form of identity acceptable to College Board authorities and you shall not be allowed to enter your test centre without a valid passport.

Online Summer Coaching Application

Question: How do we find the application for the NOP?

Answer: The link for the NOP Online Application is given within the ‘How to Apply’ section on our webpage. You can also access the application through the following link: https://nopscs.lums.edu.pk

Question: How do I create my account?

Answer: Please log on to the application domain and click on ‘Download Instructions’. Read though the document carefully and then proceed to creating your account.

Question: Do I have to pay to apply to the NOP and do I need to take any test?

Answer: There is no charge to apply for the NOP, you can create your account and submit your application free of charge. Also there is no ‘test’ requirement to apply for the NOP Summer Coaching Session. In order to be eligible to apply, you must have 80% or above in Matric/O-Levels and have the basis of financial need.

Question: I have created my Account but have not received my Username and Password, what should I do?

Answer: Once you submit your information for creating an account you shall receive an Account Creation email, within this email there will be account activation link. Once you click on the provided link, the system will send an Account Activation mail to your email account which shall contain your username and password. You can enter this information to begin filling out your online application. Make sure that you check your junk/spam folder in case any emails land there.

Question: What kind of photo do I need to submit in the Application?

Answer: Your photograph must be under 2MB, it should have a clear background and should be either passport size or 2″x2″ in order for your upload to be successful. You can refer to the photo uploading instructions given within the application as well.

Question: What does it mean when the application asks me about my guardian?

Answer: Your guardian is any family member who supports you financially. This can be your father, mother, brother, sister, cousin or uncle. If your father is your guardian you must write the same information within the guardian fields.

Question: If I do not have a landline number how should I proceed?

Answer: If you do not have a landline number you can provide another valid mobile number.

Question: If I have not yet completed my First Year exams how should I fill out the Academic Record section?

Answer: If you have not yet taken your First Year Intermediate/ A-Level exams please click on the ‘Result Awaiting’ box within the section.

Question: If I receive a certain amount of Scholarship from my school/college how should I write down my Annual Fee?

Answer: You will have to write down the Annual Fee amount, the amount given to you as a scholarship and once you minus these two figures, the remaining amount will be your Parents’ Contribution towards your education.

Question: How many references should I provide and who can be my reference?

Answer: You can provide up to 2 references within the application. They must be authentic educational figures, such as your principal or teachers, who know you personally.

Question: When providing information about siblings do I need to make a separate record for myself as well?

Answer: Since you have already provided all your personal information in the previous sections of the application, you do not need to include yourself when giving information about your siblings.

Question: If my sibling is working but does not contribute to the household income how should I fill out my financial information?

Answer: Since your sibling is not contributing in any way to the household income his/ her income will not be considered as part of your family’s annual income. Therefore, simply write “0” in the said feild.

Question: If an asset owned by my family is also shared by my extended family i.e. uncle, aunt, how should I proceed?

Answer: Please choose the ‘Shared’ option when asked about Asset Ownership within the application.

Question: Is there any way of viewing my application before submission?

Answer: Yes please download the PDF of your application through the ‘Print Application’ tab so that you can check any errors within your application before submission.

Question: Can I make changes to my application after submission?

Answer: No, you will not be able to make any changes once your application is submitted. Hence please check all your information before submission. However if you have made an error please write to nop@lums.edu.pk and you shall be guided accordingly.

Question: How will I know what documents I need to send?

Answer: After you submit your application you will be presented with a Document Checklist from which you will have to choose all the documents applicable to you and you will be required to send them to us via post/courier before the deadline.

Question: On what address will I need to courier the documents?

Answer: After application submission you will find a Mailing Label tab. Please download the label and paste it ono the package containing all your documents. The address given on the label is the address the documents need to be couriered to.

Question: When will I be informed about my selection/non-selection?

Answer: Since the NOP Summer Coaching Session takes place in the summer of every year (July/August) all applicants will be intimated about their selection status by May/June via email and post.