How I Secured The KNUST Less Endowed Admission Scholarship and the Aftermath

How It All Began

No one might ever want to share with you this secret, but being a beneficiary, I would take the opportunity to share my part of the experience. After completing senior high school, life was a bit hard. The family didn't have enough finances for me to continue with my education. While still waiting for my WASSCE results back then, all I prayed for was a miracle. Coming from a less endowed school, I knew how hard it could be to compete with students from well-resourced institutions.

My English teacher had told me already when I was in my first year in SHS that KNUST offers an admission scholarship opportunity to students coming from less endowed schools. Already, she let me know that only the first six best students are selected. Though I had that in mind, how certain am I? But I did my best to prepare for what is ahead. 

Things I Did While In SHS to Prepare For This Opportunity

Looking back, I didn't have it much in mind to win this scholarship because the student population was about 1200 plus. I was just doing my best with what I had. In my SHS years, I did not get everything I wanted, but I made it a point to stay focused on my studies. What I did in my SHS years:

• I always stayed behind in class after school, revising my notes and solving past questions.
• I always made sure I was ahead of my teacher by studying ahead.
• I did not have many friends, but for those who were focused on studying, I made them my companions.
• The library was always my home on Fridays and Saturdays. I always go there to study. 
• I took part in debates and quizzes and made sure to be a prefect.
• Some distractions were unnecessary, so no matter what, I always avoided such.
• One thing I loved doing most was respecting everyone equally, especially my teachers.
• I took my mock exams seriously to prepare myself for the bigger battle ahead. 
• I managed my time; there was little to waste anyway.

People teased me, laughing at how very smallish I had become. Anyway, it was a part of the schooling, and people mocked everything sometimes. 

I'm on the right. After a quiz photo with Gifty back in SHS

Life After SHS: The Uncertainty I Faced Before Entering KNUST

My final day of writing WASSCE was just lovely. I was happy to have finally overcome the three years of hard work and sleepless nights. I thought, 'Yes, it is time to finally have a break,' but I still had mixed feelings about what was yet to come. The scarier part of it all was the day it was finally announced that the results were released. The fear of failing alone was enough already to make you cry. But God be so good, the results were good. 

Furthering my education was the next problem. I didn't know my parents could afford the university fees and other expenses. Some friends had already bought the awaiting forms and had their admission.  I kept hearing how expensive university life was, especially when it comes to accommodation. 

At some point, I had even looked for a job and was planning to learning a trade. I gave up on my dream to even further my education. No one had mentioned the less endowed admission scholarship opportunity, so to me, all hope had been lost. All I had to do was to pray and hope that some miracle would find me. 

It was during one sunny day, I think on a Monday, after a stressful day of work, when I received a call from the Administration of my SHS. Upon reaching, that was when the good news came. "You have been given the opportunity to study at KNUST. In this envelope is your serial number and PIN to access the portal and complete your admission". On that day, my family and I were overwhelmed with excitement.

Looking back, I now see that yes, those days of hard work and studying and the self-discipline were not in vain. If today, you happen to find yourself in this situation, knowing very well where you come from, then you have no other option than to study. I completed the process and finally left for school in January 2023. My family had always stood by me since then to offer me greater support.

In pink inside Katanga Hall (KNUST) with Benedicta and Co

How KNUST Identifies Students from Less Endowed Schools

KNUST has selected a number of Senior High Schools in Ghana and added them under the Less Endowed Scholarship Programme. Every year, the academic board of KNUST, in collaboration with GES (The Ghana Education Service), automatically picks the results of the first six best students of those schools it has selected under the programme and gives them the opportunity to study at KNUST. Why were they termed as less endowed in the first place?

Less-endowed schools under the KNUST programme are senior high schools in Ghana that do not have all the learning resources as compared to those with the resources. These schools (Less Endowed) often face challenges in relation to inadequate facilities and fewer qualified teachers, with no access to modern study materials being no exception.

If, despite all the challenges, a student from one of those schools performs well in the final exams, KNUST sees it as an opportunity to locate and help such individuals to give them a brighter future.

The Kind of Support The Scholarship Provided Me at KNUST

Being a less endowed student doesn't mean you won't pay some fees and bills; you will pay. The admission process is free without charge, but after that, you have to foot some bills yourself. Aside that, the scholarship comes with some benefits.

• As a less endowed student, you have the opportunity to easily get other scholarships available in the University.
• You are favored mostly when bursary opportunities are released.
• The school takes part of your hostel bills and fees, or even offers you free accommodation when you apply every term. This is mostly based on how well you perform at the interview.
• You are added to a priority list when opportunities for support are made available.

How the Scholarship Motivated Me to Give Back to Others

The support I received gave me the motivation to begin mentoring a few SHS students from my community. Communication is often online due to the distance. I share with them study tips, advice, and encourage them to aim for nothing else but excellence. Today, I continue to support young students because I know how encouragement can be beneficial to people.

Lessons I’d Share with Current SHS Students About Believing in Themselves

These are important lessons I have learned and are something every SHS student must know.

• Never look down on yourself because of the school you are attending. Remember that your success can come from anywhere.
• Learning should be part of your hobby because it helps a lot when you least expect it.
• Be consistent with your studies and have self-discipline. Without it, it is hard to study.
• Find good friends who have the same agenda as you and join them. Do not be involved with bad peers.
• Your teachers should be your best friends. They are the ones who give you the best advice.

The Next Dream From Here: Graduate With Excellence

Like the dream of every university student, my next step is to graduate and graduate with excellence. This is to inspire other individuals that at every phase and chapter of your life, you should work hard and you plan how to write the chapters ahead of you. You do not need to prove yourself to anybody, but let the focus be on yourself to achieve greatness.