Education pathways for underserved youth
Scholarships, tutoring and mentoring to help every child stay in school and go further.
Programme overview
DEGREE opens education pathways for children and young people whose learning is at risk because of poverty, distance or family circumstances.
The programme combines direct financial support with tutoring and long-term mentoring, so that students not only stay in school but move confidently into higher education and employment.
What we do
- Scholarships covering tuition, books, uniforms and transport
- After-school tutoring in mathematics, science, English and IT
- One-to-one mentorship and career guidance
- School retention campaigns with parents and teachers
- University application and soft-skills workshops
Who we serve
School students from low-income families, first-generation university applicants, and young people who have dropped out and want to return to learning.
Related projects
- Promoting inclusive TVET pathways for youth in climate-smart and green sectors
Inclusive technical and vocational education pathways preparing youth for careers in green and climate-smart sectors.
DEGREE programme FAQs
What is the DEGREE programme?
DEGREE (Education pathways for underserved youth) is one of nine flagship programmes run by Save a Life, a youth-led nonprofit founded in Jaffna, Sri Lanka in 2014. Scholarships, tutoring and mentoring to help every child stay in school and go further.
What activities does DEGREE carry out?
DEGREE focuses on scholarships & tuition, after-school tutoring, mentorship & career guidance and school retention drives. In practice this means: scholarships covering tuition, books, uniforms and transport; after-school tutoring in mathematics, science, english and it; one-to-one mentorship and career guidance; school retention campaigns with parents and teachers; university application and soft-skills workshops.
Who does DEGREE support?
School students from low-income families, first-generation university applicants, and young people who have dropped out and want to return to learning.
What impact does DEGREE have?
2,500+ students supported, 600+ scholarships awarded, 94% retention rate.
Where does DEGREE work?
Save a Life is headquartered at No. 460, Navalar Road, Jaffna, and delivers DEGREE with communities across Sri Lanka. Our youth volunteers work alongside community leaders, schools, universities and local partners so that every activity responds to real local needs.
How can I support DEGREE?
You can donate through our GlobalGiving page, sponsor a child, join more than 1,500 active Save a Life volunteers, or partner with us as a development, CSR or programme partner. Every contribution helps DEGREE reach more communities across Sri Lanka.