Most Misunderstood
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.
Interest rate on the loan
Repayment terms after employment
Funds go back into the community pool
How repayment actually works
- 1You complete your studies and gain employment in your home country.
- 2You begin repaying the principal loan amount — tuition and stipend received during study — to the local IsDB Education Trust in your country. Repayment is in manageable instalments, not a lump sum.
- 3The Education Trust uses those repaid funds to offer the next scholarship to another student from your community.
- 4The cycle continues. You are both beneficiary and contributor to the same community fund.
No interest. No penalties for delayed repayment due to genuine hardship. The repayment schedule is negotiated with the local Trust based on your income at the time. 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 bank chasing you, no compound interest, and no credit reporting. Whether that feels like a scholarship or a loan depends on how you look at it.
Coverage Details
What Every Program Covers
Standard Benefits Across All Four Programs
Full Tuition Fees
Paid directly to the university. You never handle this money — it goes from IsDB to the institution. The amount covers whatever the university charges for the program, regardless of the cost.
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. 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.
Based on available data from current and former scholars: monthly stipends in Malaysia range from 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 figures are approximate and change with program cycles.
Annual Book and Clothing Allowance
Paid once per academic year. Equivalent to approximately 3 months of the monthly stipend. Intended to cover textbooks, study materials, and clothing appropriate for the climate and culture of the study country.
Medical Coverage
Medical treatment costs are covered at the university health clinic or a state hospital. 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.
Economy Return Airfare
For scholars studying abroad (M.Sc., MSP, and some IsDB-ISFD scholars). Covers one-way at the start and one-way at the end of the scholarship. Does not cover annual trips home during the program. SPMC scholars study in their home country and receive no airfare component.
Settlement / Installation Allowance
A one-time payment to cover initial setup costs in the new country — sim card, bedding, essential items for the room. Paid once on arrival. It is not generous — treat it as a first-week buffer, not a moving budget.
Additional Benefits for MSP (PhD and Postdoc) Scholars
Thesis Preparation Allowance
A dedicated allowance for costs incurred during thesis writing — printing, binding, submission fees. Amount varies by institution and is confirmed at scholarship offer stage.
Scientific Paper Publication Support
Costs related to publishing research papers in peer-reviewed journals — including open access publication fees — can be covered for PhD scholars.
Conference Participation Allowance
PhD scholars can receive support for attending one relevant international conference during the scholarship period. Requires advance approval from IsDB.
Important Gaps
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 language 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, or any 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.
Cost of Living Context
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 current cost-of-living data.
| City | Cost Level | Monthly Rent (shared) | Monthly Food | Reality Check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Moderate | MYR 400–700 | MYR 500–800 | Stipend is manageable. Hawker food is cheap. University housing usually available. |
| Rabat / Casablanca, Morocco | Affordable | MAD 1,500–2,500 | MAD 800–1,500 | Stipend stretches reasonably well. Local markets are very affordable. |
| Ankara / Istanbul, Turkey | Variable | TRY 5,000–10,000 | TRY 3,000–6,000 | Turkish Lira inflation has hit hard. Budget carefully — stipend real value has declined. |
| Home country (SPMC) | Locally calibrated | Varies | Varies | You know your own country's costs. Stipend is set to cover basic living in that market. |
All figures are approximate based on 2025 data. Turkey's inflation situation in particular changes rapidly — verify current rates before budgeting.
Practical Advice
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 process can take 2–4 weeks. 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.