The FCT Scholarship Scheme has been in existence since 1980s. It has witnessed several transformations from being a Unit under the office of the Head, Department of Education under the office of the Secretary for Education to a Unit known as Education Support Scheme as established in 2006 by the then Minister of FCT, Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai.

It was upgraded to the status of a Board through the initiative of the former Secretary for Education, Alhaji Hussaini Halilu Pai by the FCT Executive Council (Exco) on 23rd August, 2010 under the leadership of the former Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed (Kauran Bauchi).

The mandate of the Board is to give Education Assistance in Cash or Kind to FCT indigenes and indigent pupils/students in Public Basic and Post-Basic Educational Institutions and FCT indigenes in Tertiary Institutions within and outside Nigeria.

• Formulating, reviewing, and initiating policies and programmes on the award of scholarship.
• Lay down terms and conditions for the grant of scholarship and on conduct of the beneficiary.
• Receive all grants, donations, subsidies, charges, fees, subscriptions, interest, royalties and other monies for the Board from Government organizations, Agencies and philanthropists.
• To seek collaboration and partnership with other Agencies within and outside Nigeria in the area of International Development Partners (IDPs) for scholarship and Education Assistance.
• To decide annually the percentage distribution to be allotted to every level of studies based on needs and priority.