Bilqees Trust
Founder and Program Lead · September 2021 to present · Pakistan
Tuition and mentoring for students in Pakistan who cannot cover their fees.
Program at a glance
70+Deserving students from underserved backgrounds mentored and supported since September 2021
90+Mentors and donors in the network, primarily Pakistani professionals working abroad
The program runs on six groups of people: the students, the mentors who give them regular time, the donors who fund tuition, the volunteers who keep the matching and follow-up going, the schools and universities that receive payment directly, and the small operations side that tracks it all. Support means tuition paid to the institution where that applies, a mentor matched to the student’s field, scheduled progress reviews, and a feedback loop we use to change how a student is supported when the first arrangement is not working.
Where this comes from
My grandmother Bilqees did not attend school. She decided early that I would, and she went to whatever length that took. The scholarship carries her name because my education was made possible by her work.
My own path was not linear. I did not know anyone who had done what I was trying to do, so I made many of the mistakes myself and lost time to some of them. Money was one barrier. Not knowing whom to ask was often the larger one.
Bilqees Trust addresses both. It pays tuition and puts a person on the other end of the phone. Over time, the network has grown to include students I have mentored, former mentees who now support others, and peers working as researchers, engineers and clinicians who are willing to take a student on.
How it works
Tuition. Fees are paid directly to the school, college or university for students in Pakistan who cannot cover them.funding
A mentor. Each supported student is paired with someone working in the student’s field. Regular check-ins give the student a place to ask questions about programs, applications, research, careers and the decisions immediately ahead.mentoring
The network. Former mentees and professional peers take on students in turn. Mentoring is not an add-on to the tuition; it is part of the delivery model.people
Review and adaptation. We review what is working, adjust support as circumstances change, and carry those lessons into the next decision. We would rather support fewer students properly than promise support that stops halfway through a course.learning loop
Four ways in
I am looking for tuition supportThree steps. Tell us about the course and the fees, what the institution charges and what you can and cannot cover. Have a conversation with us about your circumstances and what you want the program to lead to. If the trust can support you, we confirm the amount, pay the institution directly and connect you with a mentor. The amount depends on the resources available and on what it will take to support a student through the course rather than only one term.Ask about tuition support
I am looking for a mentorYou do not need to be receiving tuition support to ask for guidance. Tell us where you are in your studies, your field, and the decision or problem you are trying to work through. I will try to connect you with someone in the network who has relevant experience, or take the conversation myself.Ask for a mentor
I want to mentor or fund a studentMentors give regular time to one student and answer questions as they arise. Funders support tuition paid directly to the institution. Some people do both. Supporters receive a clear account of what their contribution funded and how the student is progressing, subject to the student’s privacy.Support a student
I want to volunteerThe trust also relies on volunteers. Useful roles include operations, outreach and communications, and growing the network of students and mentors. These are voluntary roles.Volunteer
Whether you are a student seeking tuition, a student seeking a mentor, a prospective mentor or funder, or someone who wants to volunteer, write to usamatanveer526@gmail.com and say which of those describes you. I read these messages myself and will reply.
The lesson I carry from this work is simple: money is an input, not the complete intervention. A clear goal, a workable delivery model, regular follow-up and a willingness to change course are what turn funding into useful support.