FAQs Page
What Is SSMAF?
The Sir Syed Mentoring and Assistance Fellowship (SSMAF) is a mentorship and fellowship program that is offered to students and alumni of Aligarh Muslim University from all faculties, including Arts, Social Sciences, Medicine, Law, Commerce, Engineering, Science, etc. In collaboration with the AMUSO Facebook group, the SSMAF Program has established connections with over 13,000 students and faculty members and has provided benefits to more than 600 students thus far. Motivated students with exceptional academic potential but facing financial challenges and lacking proper guidance are encouraged to apply.
Students in the final or pre-final year of their Bachelor’s degree (4+ years) or first year of a Master’s program at AMU are eligible to apply. AMU Alumni, including those with Senior Secondary, Certificate, Diploma, or Degree qualifications, are also eligible.
Awardees receive financial assistance for standardized tests (IELTS/TOEFL), 1-on-1 mentorship for applications, personalized university and program selection guidance, and document review for critical materials like SOPs, LORs, and CVs.
SSMAF is funded by generous contributions from AMU alumni, stipends from core team members, and external sponsors who support its mission.
Application Process
Applicants need to submit academic transcripts, a Statement of Purpose (SOP), relevant certificates (e.g., awards, internships), and responses to essay-type questions.
If your documents are incomplete, you must contact SSMAF immediately. Applications with missing documents may face delays in processing, and submission of additional documents may be allowed only under exceptional circumstances.
Missing documents may be submitted before the final review, but only if explicitly permitted by the SSMAF team. It’s advisable to have all required documents ready at the time of application.
You can apply through the online application form on the SSMAF website. Follow the detailed guidelines for uploading documents and completing the required sections.
Applicants may apply multiple times as long as they meet the eligibility criteria during each application cycle.
Financial Assistance
Currently, SSMAF provides financial support for IELTS/TOEFL fees only. GRE and university application fees may be supported in future, if sufficient funding is available.
Awardees can apply for reimbursement within 1.5 to 2 years from the announcement date of the fellowship results, as specified in their award letter.
The fellowship covers IELTS/TOEFL fees, mentorship services, and document review. Travel, accommodation, or other supplementary costs are not covered.
No, the fellowship currently focuses on IELTS/TOEFL fees and mentorship services only.
Post-Award Questions
No, SSMAF does not offer refunds for tests taken before the start of the fellowship period.
Failure to attend two consecutive mentor meetings or meet SSMAF obligations may result in the revocation of the fellowship.
Awardees are expected to mentor juniors, provide guidance to fellow awardees, and support SSMAF’s mission to assist future applicants.
Applicants are evaluated through a rigorous selection process that includes reviewing academic performance, extracurricular achievements, and financial need.
Alumni & Mentorship
Yes, alumni can apply for mentorship services, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for the session.
Mentees are paired with mentors based on their field of study, academic goals, and specific areas where guidance is needed.
Currently, mentoring is exclusive to SSMAF awardees. However, resources like webinars and guides are available to the broader AMU community.
Additional Programs
The OIVR program provides guidance and mentorship for AMU students to secure research internships and visiting research opportunities abroad.
Yes, SSMAF organizes webinars, workshops, and resource-sharing sessions open to all AMU students and alumni.
Technical Support
If you face technical issues, contact the SSMAF support team via the email or helpline provided on the website.
Templates and guides are available in the “Resources” section of the SSMAF website.
Other Queries
Visit the “Support & Donations” section of the SSMAF website for detailed information on becoming a mentor, donor, or sponsor.
For any additional inquiries, reach out to SSMAF via the contact form or email provided on the website.