What the IsDB Scholarship Covers — and What It Doesn't

The Qard Hasan — Understanding the Loan Structure

Two of the four IsDB programs — SPMC and IsDB-ISFD — are funded through Qard Hasan, which translates literally as “good loan” in Arabic. It is an Islamic finance concept: a loan with no interest, no penalties and no profit margin for the lender. The “goodness” is in the motivation — you borrow to study, you repay when you can, and the repaid funds help the next student from your community.

How repayment actually works

1. 1

   You complete your studies and gain employment in your home country.

2. 2

   You begin repaying the principal loan amount — broadly, the funding you received during study — to the local IsDB Education Trust in your country. Repayment is in manageable instalments, not a lump sum.

3. 3

   The Education Trust uses those repaid funds to offer the next scholarship to another student from your community.

4. 4

   The cycle continues. You are both beneficiary and contributor to the same community fund.

No interest. The booklets say repayment is made “in easy instalments” after graduation and gainful employment. They do not publish a fixed schedule or hardship rules, so agree the terms with the local Trust. This is not a commercial loan.

The practical implication: the SPMC and IsDB-ISFD are not “free money” in the conventional scholarship sense. You will eventually return the core funding. But it is structured as a community obligation rather than a financial burden — there is no commercial bank involved and no interest. Whether that feels like a scholarship or a loan depends on how you look at it.

What Every Program Covers

Standard benefits

• Full tuition fees. Paid directly to the university. You never handle this money — it goes from IsDB to the institution, and covers whatever the university charges for the program.
• Monthly living stipend. Paid monthly to the scholar directly. The amount is pegged to local living costs in the country of study — not a fixed global figure, and for MSP on a single-status basis. Students in Malaysia receive a different rate than students in Morocco or Turkey. IsDB does not publish a universal stipend table, which is the #1 source of frustration for applicants trying to budget before applying.
• Medical coverage. Treatment at the university health clinic or a state hospital (for MSP, medical insurance under the university health scheme). Private hospital visits beyond basic medical needs are typically not included. If you have a pre-existing condition requiring specialist care, this coverage may not be sufficient.
• Annual book and clothing allowance (SPMC and IsDB-ISFD). Paid once per academic year, equivalent to three months of the monthly stipend. Intended to cover textbooks, study materials, and clothing appropriate for the climate and culture of the study country.
• Economy return airfare. For scholars studying abroad (M.Sc., MSP and IsDB-ISFD scholars placed abroad): one trip at the start and one at the end of the scholarship. It does not cover annual trips home. SPMC scholars normally study in their home country, so most never use this benefit.
• Settlement / installation allowance. A one-time payment on arrival for scholars studying abroad, to cover initial setup costs — SIM card, bedding, essential items for the room. It is not generous — treat it as a first-week buffer, not a moving budget.

IsDB does not publish stipend rates. Unofficial figures reported by scholars put monthly stipends in Malaysia at approximately MYR 1,500–2,000 (roughly USD 330–440); in Morocco around MAD 3,000–4,500 (roughly USD 300–450); in Turkey approximately TRY 8,000–12,000 (the lira varies, equating roughly to USD 250–380 in recent years). These are estimates, not official rates, and they change with program cycles.

Additional benefits for M.Sc. and MSP scholars

• Thesis preparation allowance (M.Sc. and MSP). A dedicated allowance for costs incurred during thesis writing — printing, binding, submission. The amount varies by institution and is confirmed at scholarship offer stage.
• Scientific paper preparation (MSP). The MSP booklet lists support for preparing your thesis and scientific papers during the PhD. Confirm with IsDB which publication costs are included.
• Conference allowance (MSP PhD). PhD scholars can receive support for attending a relevant international conference during the scholarship period. Ask IsDB how and when to claim it.

What IsDB Does NOT Pay For

These are the gaps that catch scholars off guard — often after they've already arrived at their destination. Budget for these from your own resources.

• Family and dependents. No funding for spouses, children or any dependents who accompany you. If you plan to bring family, budget entirely independently for their accommodation, food, visa costs and schooling.
• Visa and residence permit fees. Student visa application fees, residence permit registration and immigration costs are your responsibility. In some countries these are minor; in others they are a significant first-month expense.
• Language training. IELTS preparation courses, French classes or any pre-departure language training are not covered. This is a common surprise: you need the language certificate to apply, but the cost of obtaining it is yours.
• Annual trips home. The airfare benefit covers travel at the beginning and end of your scholarship — not annual home visits. If you want to go home for a semester break, you pay for that ticket yourself.
• Research equipment and personal laptops. Personal computing equipment, lab consumables not covered by the university, field trips, workshops, exchange programs, internships, or research materials beyond what the university provides are not included.
• Scholarship extension costs. If your program takes longer than the funded period, additional tuition and living costs are your responsibility. IsDB is strict about the funded duration, and courses that don't count toward the minimum credits for your degree are not funded.

How Far Does the Stipend Go?

IsDB doesn't publish stipend rates publicly, but here's an honest picture of what living looks like in the main study destinations, based on scholar reports and cost-of-living data.

All figures are approximate, based on 2025 data. Turkey's inflation situation in particular changes rapidly — verify current rates before budgeting.

Financial Planning Before You Arrive

The first-month gap is real

Stipend payments typically start after you've enrolled and your scholarship is confirmed with the university. This process takes weeks. You will need personal funds to cover your first few weeks — accommodation deposit, food, local transport, SIM card — before any payment arrives. Arrive with at least one month's equivalent in accessible cash or bank funds.

Opening a bank account takes time

In Malaysia, Morocco and Turkey, opening a local bank account as an international student requires your enrollment letter, residence permit and passport copies. This can take 2–4 weeks, and your stipend cannot be deposited until the account is operational. Plan for this delay.

The Qard Hasan amount grows with every semester

If you're on the SPMC or IsDB-ISFD, remember that your total repayment obligation is the sum of all tuition and stipend received across your full study period. This grows each semester. Keep a running tally so the final figure doesn't surprise you at graduation.