Scholarship for SC/ST Students: List of Scholarship Schemes in India Available for SC ST Category Students in India. Higher Education Scholarship Help from the Government.
“The main key to empowering the SCs and STs is to provide the top-class education opportunities. There are 3 ongoing scholarship schemes for SC/ST students under the Central Plan – Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, and Merit-based.
In 2024, various scholarship schemes for SC/ST students will be available to support their education. These scholarships help to reduce financial barriers for students from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). If you are an SC/ST student, this guide will walk you through all the available options and how to apply.
Apart from this, ST and SC Category Students are also being provided Scholarships by the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship and overseas scholarships.
Going back in history, The Scholarship Scheme for SC ST was approved in 2007 and was subsequently revised in January 2012 and June 2016.
Meritorious students from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are also eligible for the larger scholarships which meet the requirements for tuition fees, living expenses, books, and a computer.”
Types of Scholarships for SC/ST Students
- Post-Matric Scholarships: Available for students studying in 11th grade and above, including SC/ST scholarship for UG students and PG scholarship for SC/ST students 2024. These scholarships provide financial assistance for tuition, hostel fees, and other educational costs.
- Pre-Matric Scholarships: For SC students in classes 9-10, aimed at preventing dropouts due to financial constraints. Pre-matric scholarship for SC students covers tuition fees, maintenance allowances, and more.
- MBBS Scholarship for SC Students: Medical students can apply for MBBS scholarships for SC students, which cover tuition fees and other expenses. This includes SC/ST scholarships for MBBS students in specific regions like Tamil Nadu.
- Engineering and Professional Courses: There are specific SC scholarships for engineering students and SC/ST scholarships for engineering students in Karnataka. Students pursuing engineering, law, and other professional courses can benefit from these.
- Central Government Schemes: The Government of India provides national scholarships for SC students, along with various state-specific initiatives like the SC scholarship in Punjab and the SC ST scholarship Karnataka.
- Top Class Education Scheme: This is a prestigious scholarship for students pursuing higher education. Top class scholarship for SC students covers tuition, books, and living expenses.
The Aim of Scholarship for SC ST Students
- Providing quality education to students belonging to SCs, by providing full financial support for pursuing studies beyond 12th class.
- These schemes operate in all institutions run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- The scholarship, once awarded, will continue until the completion of the course.
- Apart from Scholarships, several other benefits are being provided such as:
- Full tuition fee and non-refundable charges
- Living Expenses to the SC-ST Students
- Books and Stationery
- Computer with accessories like UPS, Printer, Multi-media
SC-ST Scholarships Complete LIST !!
| S.No | Scholarship for SC ST [Schemes] | No of Scholarship | Tentative Timeline for application |
| 1 | Pre-matric scholarship for SC Students | NA | April |
| 2 | Post-matric scholarship for SC Students | NA | April |
| 3 | Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC Students | 2000 | July-October |
| 4 | National Overseas Scholarship for SC Category | 94 | December (once in an academic year) |
About Pre-Matric SC ST Scholarship Scheme (Eligibility, How to Apply)
The objective of the pre-matric Scheme is to support the parents of SC children in educating their children so that the incidents of dropouts are minimized because of lack of funds thereby enabling them to continue their higher studies
Pre-matric Scholarship for SC ST is also provided to the children of people engaged in occupations involving cleaning and prone to health hazards.
Pre-matric SC ST Scholarship Rewards
| Award | Day scholars | Hostellers |
| Scholarship per month (for 10 months) | 225 Rs. | 525 Rs. |
| Books and Ad-hoc grants per annum | 750 Rs. | 1,000 Rs. |
Eligibility
- Applicants must belong to SC/ST category.
- The annual income of parents should not exceed INR 2.5 Lakh per annum.
- Students should not apply for any other funds from the central government.
- The student who is availing of the benefit should be a regular student in a Government school or school recognized by the Government or Central/State Board of Secondary Education.
Application process
- To Apply for Scholarships, the students should visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or respective state portals.
- The following documents are required to be uploaded along with the main application: passport size photo, self-attested copies of academic certificates, etc., caste certificate, & income declaration (low-income certificate).
- After the successful submission of your application forms, All eligible SC students will be awarded the scholarship.
About Post-Matric SC ST Scholarship Scheme (Eligibility, How to Apply)
The objective of this Scholarship is to provide financial help to SC/ST and OBC students studying at post matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education.
These scholarships are available for studies in India only and are awarded by the government of the State/Union Territory to which the applicant actually belongs i.e. permanently settled.
Post-matric SC ST Scholarship Rewards
| Course | Day Scholar allowance (for 10 months) | Hostellers allowance (for 10 months) | Readers allowance (for blind candidates) |
| Group 1–(I) Degree and postgraduate level courses in medicine, engineering, technology, agriculture, etc. (II) Postgraduate diploma courses in management and medicine (III) CA/ICWA/CS/ICFA etc. (IV) MPhil, Ph.D., and postdoctoral programs
| 1,200 Rs. | 550 Rs. | 240 Rs. |
| Group 2– Professional course leading to a degree, diploma in Pharmacy, nursing, etc. | 820 Rs. | 530 Rs. | 240 Rs. |
| Group 3– Graduate and postgraduate courses which are not included in Groups 1 and 2 | 570 Rs. | 300 Rs. | 200 Rs. |
| Group 4- Post matriculation level non-degree courses (10thpassed) | 380 Rs. | 230 Rs. | 160 Rs. |
Eligibility
- Students belonging to SC Category who are enrolled in post-matriculation or post-secondary courses in recognized institutes/universities/colleges.
- The annual income of parents should not exceed INR 2.5 Lakh per annum.
Application process
- To apply for Post Matric Scholarship for SC ST, the students should visit the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or respective state portals.
- The following documents are required to be uploaded along with the main application: passport size photo, self-attested copies of academic certificates, etc., caste certificate, & income declaration (low-income certificate).
- After the successful submission of your application forms, All eligible SC students will be awarded the scholarship.
About SC ST Scholarship obtaining Higher education (Eligibility, How to Apply)
The main objective of the Higher Education Scholarship Scheme is to promote quality education to SC ST students, by providing financial support for pursuing studies after 12th class, in reputed institutes like IITs, IIMs, NITs, etc.
These scholarships fall under 2 types:
#1. Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship:
This scheme provides financial help to SC/ST students for pursuing research studies leading to M.Phil, Ph.D., and equivalent research degrees.
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship Scholarship Awards
| Duration | Name of the course | Rate of Scholarship | Subjects |
| 2 yrs. | M.Phil. | INR 25,000 (JRF) for the initial 2 yearsINR 28,000 (SRF) for the remaining tenure | Science, humanities, and social science |
|
5 yrs. |
PhD | INR 25,000 (JRF) for the initial 2 yearsINR 28,000 (SRF) for the remaining tenure | Engineering and technology |
| INR 10,000 for initial 2 yearsINR 20,500 (for remaining tenure) | Contingency for humanities and social science | ||
| INR 12,000 for initial 2 yearsINR 25,000 for remaining tenure | Contingency for science, engineering, technology | ||
| INR 3,000 per annum per student to host institution | Departmental assistance | ||
| INR 2,000 per month in case physically disabled students | Readers assistance |
Eligibility
- The basic eligibility to apply for this scheme is that a student enrolling must belong to SC or ST Category.
- They must be admitted to courses of M.Phil/Ph.D. degree.
Application process
You can apply online for SC/ST scholarships through portals like the SC scholarship portal or directly through the NSP (National Scholarship Portal). Always check the SC scholarship last date 2024 for each scholarship scheme.
Some key scholarships require caste certificates or family income documents, which need to be submitted along with the application.
- To apply for this scholarship. SC/ST Candidates must go to the official website.
- The online application form is filled in 2 parts: (1) personal details and (2) academic qualifications and research experience.
- After that students must upload scanned copies of their documents: mark sheets and institute certificates (all in PDF/PNG/JPG format).
#2. National Overseas Scholarship:
This Scheme provides financial assistance to students belonging to SCs/STs, denotified, nomadic, semi-nomadic tribes, etc for pursuing higher studies of Master level courses and Ph.D. programs abroad.
The below-given table describes the scholarship award granted to the selected SC candidates pursuing research in foreign universities:
| S.No | Types of allowance | US | UK |
| 1 | Annual maintenance allowance | USD 15,400 | GBP 9,900 |
| 2 | Research/teaching assistantship | Supplemented | Supplemented |
| 3 | Contingency | USD 1,500 | GBP 1,100 |
| 4 | Incidental journey allowance | USD 20 | NA |
| 5 | VISA fees, poll tax, etc. | Actual fees | Actual fees |
| 6 | Air travel, Local travel, etc. | As applicable | As applicable |
Eligibility
- Applicants availing of this benefit must be belonging to the SC category.
- The age of the student applying must be under 35 years.
- Applicants must have secured more than 55% marks in their last exam.
- The applicant’s annual family income must not exceed INR 6 Lakh per annum.
- The selected candidate will need to execute a bond on a non-judicial stamp paper before a notary for the actual amount to be spent by the Government of India on the candidate.
- The student shall not change the course of study or research while availing of the scholarship.
Application process
- To apply for the National Overseas Scholarship for SC ST, students need to download an application form and submit it offline at the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment website (www.socialjustice.nic.in)
- In addition to the application form, one needs to attach the following documents: DOB Certificate, mark sheet of degree, diploma certificates, income certificate, self-attested caste certificate, a copy of tax assessment, and last monthly salary slip for employed candidates.
- In the case of a passage grant, the students need to provide their details and particulars on a merit scholarship and letter of award.
Special Scholarships and Incentives
- SC/ST Merit Scholarships: Merit-based scholarship schemes for SC/ST students 2024 are also available, encouraging students to perform well academically.
- Egrants for SC Students: Egrants helps students in Maharashtra apply for scholarships online, ensuring ease of access to funds.
- Hostel and Accommodation Scholarships: Many schemes, including the hostel scholarship for SC students, support those studying away from home.
Important Considerations
- Income Limit for SC/ST Scholarship: Most scholarships have an income limit, which varies based on the scheme. Make sure to check the eligibility before applying.
- Scholarship Amount: The SC/ST scholarship amount can vary greatly depending on the level of education and state. For example, the SC ST scholarship for UG students is higher compared to that for school students.
- Scholarship for Specific States: Some states like Maharashtra and Karnataka offer unique scholarships like Sikshashree scholarship for SC/ST class V-VIII and SC ST scholarship Karnataka.
Wrapping Up
So this was the complete list of Scholarship Schemes for SC and ST Category Students. Candidates belonging to the SC/ST category can avail of benefits and financial assistance during pre-matric, post-matric, and for pursuing higher education.
- Keep track of the SC scholarship last date for 2024, as many scholarships are available only for a limited period.
- Some scholarships, such as SC ST school scholarship 2024, have specific deadlines for school students.
Scholarships are a crucial resource for SC/ST students seeking higher education. Whether you’re looking for support after 12th, for MBBS, or in engineering courses, there are numerous opportunities to explore. Be sure to check eligibility criteria, documents required, and deadlines for SC/ST scholarships 2024.
Start by visiting the scholarship portals and applying for SC ST scholarships today to take advantage of the financial aid available!
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