One of the main major issues faced by Indian college students is how to pay for their education. The fear of being unable to afford the degree can become overpowering as the tuition costs increase and education becomes more costly. The good news is that with the help of the scholarship, the gap will be closed, and increased access to high-quality education.
With the help of the scholarships, the students’ academic paths will change. Here are the step-by-step details on how to find and apply for scholarships in India.
Why do Scholarships Matter?
The scholarship mainly reduces the burden of college-going students. These grants are extremely important for deserving students who do not have the money to cover college tuition, housing, and other related expenses.
Finding out the scholarships and comprehending the application procedure are the difficult parts. There are not enough chances for students from all the different backgrounds through private scholarships and government-funded programs. Here’s how you can benefit from them.
1. Start with Government Scholarships
The Indian govt provides support to students who are from economically disadvantaged groups, by giving them a variety of financial aid programs and scholarships. A few important programs are as follows:
a) National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
The National Scholarship Portal works as the single application site for the various government scholarships offered by different states and federal agencies. Scholarship opportunities will abound through this portal, regardless of the membership under the economically disadvantaged groups, SC/ST, OBC, or minority communities.
- Go to https://scholarships.gov.in
- Visit: https://www.education.gov.in/scholarships
- Make the account and fill all the profile to search for the scholarship that suites your eligibility.
Several well-known schemes that are listed on NSP include:
- Post Matric Scholarships for Minorities
- Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme
- Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students
b) State-Specific Scholarships
Various state govt in the Indoa give scholarships to students who are from specific regions. Like
- Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme
- West Bengal’s Swami Vivekananda Scholarship
- Kerala State Merit Scholarship
To get more details about these scholarships, go to the state’s scholarship page. These awards are given based on social background, financial need, and individual merit.
2. Private and Corporate Scholarships
The scholarships are given by various private groups and firms in addition to the govt programs to help the students who exhibit promise but lack financial means. These scholarships are mainly awarded based on the merit of the students who are pursuing particular academic programs.
Here are a few of the well-known ones:
a) Tata Trusts Scholarship
Various undergraduate and graduate scholarships are there in the various subjects available from the Tata Trusts. The priority is given to students from the lower income families which makes it a great choice for people who need financial assistance.
b) Aditya Birla Scholarship
Students studying under various esteemed institutions like law schools, IITs, and IIMs are eligible to receive scholarships from the Aditya Birla Group. This scholarship gives the opportunities to get professional growth and mentoring in addition to covering academic expenses.
c) L’Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarships
The main goal of this initiative is to encourage women from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue science-related higher education. This program gives financial assistance to deserving students who are looking to get careers in STEM.
d) Mahindra & Mahindra Merit Scholarship
They mainly target students who are from low-income families and pursue postgraduate degrees in engineering, technology, or management in India
3. Scholarships for Specific Communities
As India is a multicultural nation, various scholarships are made to help students from particular groups. Some of the scholarships are as follows:
a) Minority Scholarships
Students who belong to minority communities such as Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, and Zoroastrians can apply for scholarships through the Minority Affairs Ministry. The govt gives pre-matric, post-matric, and merit-cum-means scholarships for students from these communities.
b) SC/ST and OBC Scholarships
The students from the SC, ST, and OBC backgrounds will benefit from the various scholarships that support their education at the various levels. The main aim of these scholarships is to promote social equity and to make sure that marginalized groups get higher education.
c) Scholarships for Women
Various scholarships are made for female students to promote gender equality in education. Like, the Pragati Scholarship for Girls is only for girls who are pursuing a technical degree while the K.C. Mahindra Scholarship aims to help women by providing financial aid to seek higher education abroad.
4. Research-Based Scholarships
If you are a student who is willing to research or academic work, the various organizations and institutions give scholarships to support research-based studies. These scholarships often give the funds for higher education (Master’s or PhD) and research projects.
a) INSPIRE Scholarship
The Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, gives the Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scholarship. It provides help to students who need work in the basic and natural sciences by giving them money for their studies and research.
b) UGC Scholarships
The Scholarships are given by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to postgraduate students mainly for those who do research, The various scholarships are as follows:
- Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students
- Post Graduate Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holders
- Indira Gandhi PG Scholarship for Single Girl Child
Steps to Apply for Scholarships in India
There are so many steps involved in applying for the Scholarships. The steps followed to apply are as follows:
Step 1: Research and Identify Scholarships
Firstly determine which scholarship you want. There are the following steps can be taken to accomplish this:
- Using Scholarship Portals: To check the list of scholarships offered in India, go to websites like Scholarships.gov.in and the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
- Consult your college or school: Many of the schools hold their scholarship programs, so stay in contact with the office or the school’s financial aid or the scholarship office.
- Looking into Private Companies: The scholarships are mainly awarded based on merit or need by businesses and foundations. The chances are there on the company-specific pages or other scholarship websites, such as Scholarships.com.
Step 2: Check Eligibility Criteria
Every scholarship holds its requirements for qualifying depending on things like:
- Academic Performance: Grade point average (GPA) or minimum percentage.
- Income Level: Students from economically disadvantaged groups (EWS) are eligible for the scholarships.
- Category: The various scholarships are intended for students who belong to particular minority groups or communities, such as SC, ST, or OBC.
- Course/Stream: The scholarships are intended for students at various levels or pursuing particular degrees.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
Prior to applying, collect all the necessary paperwork, which usually consists of:
- Identity Proof: Passport, voter ID, or Aadhar card.
- Academic records: 10th, 12th, graduation, etc certificates
- Income Certificate: For financial need-based scholarships.
- Category Certificate: SC, ST, or OBC certificate.
- The size of a passport Photos: Under the scholarship specifications.
- Bank Account Information: If applicable, a bank account number for receiving money.
Step 4: Create an Account (If Required)
Many of the scholarships need you the register on a certain website:
- National Scholarship Portal (NSP): The registration on the National Scholarship Portal to apply for the central government scholarships.
- Direct Scholarship Websites: To register or apply for corporate or institution-specific scholarships, visit the scholarship page of the relevant supplier.
Step 5: Fill the Application Form
- Carefully complete the form: Verify the accuracy and information on the form. Verify the information like contact details, bank account information, and academic records.
- Send in Documents: All the important necessary documentation should be uploaded into the designated format, which is typically PDF, JPEG, etc.
- Send in an online submission: Deposit the application online and attach all the required docs.
Step 6: Track Your Application
The application number may be assigned for the following submission. On the scholarship portal, mainly used the number to monitor the application progress. You might need to submit the extra paperwork or take part in the interview for several scholarships.
Step 7: Wait for the Results
- Notification: After the processing, the scholarship sponsor will send you the email, post information on the portal, or make formal announcements to find the results.
- The Scholarship’s awarding: The money of the scholarship will either be paid by the institution or credited straight to your bank account if you are chosen.