How to Apply for Mahapola Scholarship
What is the Mahapola Scholarship?
Mahapola Scholarship is a monthly allowance given by the Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund to help university students pay for their studies.
It was started in 1981 by the late Hon. Lalith Athulathmudali, and today it supports thousands of students every year.
Key points to remember:
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You get paid monthly (usually about Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 8,000 per month, amount may change yearly)
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Payment is made during your university academic period
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You must be a full-time undergraduate student in a recognized government university in Sri Lanka
You can read more about it on the official Mahapola website: https://www.mahapola.lk
Who can apply?
Not everyone can get this scholarship. You need to:
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Be a Sri Lankan citizen
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Be selected to a UGC-recognized government university (like University of Colombo, Peradeniya, Moratuwa, Ruhuna, etc.)
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Be a first-year undergraduate or sometimes in your second year (depending on university policy)
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Not be receiving another large government scholarship (like Bursary) at the same time
If you want to know if your course or university qualifies, ask your university’s student affairs division or see University Grants Commission – UGC
Step-by-step guide to apply
Let’s make this simple. Here’s what most students (including me when I applied) do:
Step 1: Get the Mahapola application form
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Once you start your university studies, your university will give the Mahapola application form.
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Usually, the Student Affairs Branch / Welfare Division distributes these forms during orientation week or first few weeks of lectures.
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If you missed it, don’t worry! You can download the form directly here:
???? Mahapola Scholarship Application Form PDF – mahapola.lk
Step 2: Fill the form carefully
This is very important. Use a black or blue pen and write neatly.
You’ll usually need to fill in:
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Personal details (name, NIC number, date of birth)
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Family details (parents’ names, occupations, monthly income)
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Your university and course details
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Details about brothers/sisters and if they’re studying
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Declaration and signature
Tip: Always double-check spellings and numbers. Mistakes can delay your application.
Step 3: Get the signatures & approvals
Before submitting, you usually need:
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Certification from the Grama Niladhari of your home area
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Certification from the Divisional Secretariat or relevant authority
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Signature from your Dean / Head of Department / Student Welfare Officer
These signatures prove your family income, your address, and that you’re actually studying.
Step 4: Submit to the Student Affairs Division
After collecting signatures:
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Hand over your completed application form to the Student Affairs / Welfare Division of your university
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Some universities ask for a photocopy too – keep one copy for your records
The university will then send your application in bulk to the Mahapola Trust Fund.
Step 5: Wait for approval & payment
If everything is okay, your name will appear on the Mahapola scholarship recipients list (called the Eligible List).
The list is usually displayed:
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On university notice boards
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On the official Mahapola website: https://www.mahapola.lk
After this, you’ll start getting monthly payments directly to your bank account. Make sure you have an account in the bank your university uses (often People’s Bank or Bank of Ceylon).
Important documents you may need
Depending on your situation, you might need:
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Copy of National Identity Card (NIC)
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Copy of university admission letter
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Birth certificate copy
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Parents’ payslips or income certificates
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Letter from Grama Niladhari about family income
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Bank account details (sometimes a certified copy of passbook)
How long does it take?
Usually:
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Applications open during the first semester (first 2–3 months)
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Approval process can take 3–6 months
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Payments normally start once the Mahapola Trust Fund finishes checking all applications
Sometimes there can be delays, so keep checking with your university.
Tips to avoid mistakes
I’ve seen many students make small mistakes that delay payments. Here’s how to avoid them:
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Write your bank account number correctly
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Use your full name as in NIC
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Check your NIC number twice
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Submit before the deadline
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Keep a photocopy or scan of your filled form
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Keep in touch with the Student Affairs office
Can I get Mahapola and another scholarship?
In most cases:
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You cannot get Mahapola and a Bursary scholarship at the same time
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You can get Mahapola and a private / foreign scholarship if that is not from the Sri Lankan government
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Always inform your university if you get a new scholarship
After you get Mahapola – what next?
Congratulations! But remember:
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If you stop attending university or your attendance is too low, payments can stop
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If you change your course or university, inform the Student Affairs Division
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Use the money wisely – buy books, pay accommodation or transport
Here are some useful pages on our site:
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Latest jobs → https://profession.lk/
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Free CV templates → https://profession.lk/cv-templates
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Resignation templates → https://profession.lk/resignation-templates
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Job application templates → https://profession.lk/job-application-templates
And here are important external resources:
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Mahapola official website: https://www.mahapola.lk
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UGC Sri Lanka: https://www.ugc.ac.lk
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Ministry of Education: https://moe.gov.lk
Other scholarships you can check
Mahapola is not the only option! You can also look at:
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University Bursary – for low-income students
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Central Bank scholarship – for students doing economics, IT, finance
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Presidential Scholarship
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Scholarships from private universities or foreign embassies
Ask your university’s Student Affairs Division for details.
Final words
We know life as a student can be tough, but the Mahapola Scholarship is there to help you. It only takes a few careful steps to apply.
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Check your eligibility
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Fill your application neatly
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Collect signatures
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Submit on time
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Follow up until your name appears on the list
And always remember: your studies come first. Use this support to learn well and build a better future for you and your family.