Scholarships in India and Abroad: A Complete Guide

Scholarships provide financial aid to students, helping them pursue education without the burden of high costs. They are offered by governments, private organizations, universities, and NGOs. Scholarships can be merit-based, need-based, or specific to categories like gender, region, or field of study.

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1. Types of Scholarships

a. Merit-Based Scholarships

• Awarded based on academic performance or achievements in extracurricular activities like sports or arts.
• Examples: INSPIRE Scholarship for science students, KVPY for research.

b. Need-Based Scholarships

• Designed for students from economically weaker sections.
• Examples: Tata Trusts Scholarship, L’Oréal India for Young Women in Science.

c. Government Scholarships

• Funded by central or state governments for various levels of education.
• Examples: PM Scholarship Scheme, State Merit Scholarships.

d. Subject-Specific Scholarships

• Focus on students pursuing specific fields like engineering, medicine, or arts.
• Examples: AICTE Pragati Scholarship for women in technical courses.

e. Study-Abroad Scholarships

• Help students fund their education in foreign universities.
• Examples: Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships, Chevening Scholarship.

f. Scholarships for Minorities and Special Categories

• Targeted at underrepresented groups like SC/ST, OBC, women, and differently-abled students.
• Examples: Maulana Azad National Fellowship, Post Matric Scholarship for Minorities.

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2. Scholarships in India

a. Government Scholarships

1. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)
   • For students from economically weaker sections.
   • Eligibility: Class 9-12 students with good academic performance.
2. PM Scholarship Scheme
   • For the wards of ex-servicemen and ex-coast guard personnel.
   • Eligibility: Undergraduate courses in technical fields.
3. INSPIRE Scholarship
   • For students pursuing pure science courses.
   • Amount: Up to ₹80,000 per year.
4. Post Matric Scholarships (SC/ST/OBC)
   • Covers tuition and maintenance fees for students from reserved categories.
5. National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students
   • For ST students pursuing post-graduation or professional courses.

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b. Private Organization Scholarships

1. Aditya Birla Scholarship
   • For students of IITs, IIMs, and XLRI.
   • Amount: Up to ₹1,80,000 annually.
2. HDFC Educational Crisis Scholarship Support
   • For students facing financial crises.
3. Tata Scholarship
   • Offers financial aid for higher education in India and abroad.
4. L’Oréal India For Young Women in Science
   • For women pursuing science at the undergraduate level.

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c. State Government Scholarships

1. Karnataka Vidyasiri Scholarship
   • For students from rural backgrounds pursuing higher education.
   • Covers tuition and hostel fees.
2. Maharashtra Open Merit Scholarship
   • For Class 12 students with excellent academic performance.

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3. Scholarships for Study Abroad

a. Government-Funded

1. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship (USA)
   • For master’s, doctoral, and research programs.
   • Covers tuition, travel, and living expenses.
2. Chevening Scholarship (UK)
   • For leadership-focused master’s programs.
3. Australia Awards
   • For postgraduate studies in Australia.
4. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships (EU)
   • For joint master’s programs across Europe.

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b. University-Specific Scholarships

1. Rhodes Scholarship (University of Oxford, UK)
   • Full funding for postgraduate courses.
2. DAAD Scholarships (Germany)
   • For Indian students pursuing higher education in Germany.
3. Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholars (USA)
   • For master’s and PhD programs at Stanford University.
4. UCL Global Masters Scholarship (UK)
   • For international students with financial need.

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c. Private and NGO Scholarships

1. JN Tata Endowment for Higher Education
   • Loan scholarship for master’s programs abroad.
2. Commonwealth Scholarships
   • For students from Commonwealth countries to study in the UK.
3. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship
   • Covers tuition, living, and travel expenses for courses in the USA, UK, and Europe.

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4. Scholarships for Women

1. Pragati Scholarship for Girls
   • By AICTE for girls in technical courses.
2. Loreal-UNESCO For Women in Science
   • Focuses on postgraduate and doctoral women researchers.
3. Kiran Girls Scholarship
   • For girls from economically weaker sections in STEM fields.

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5. Scholarships for Differently-Abled Students

1. Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarships
   • For differently-abled students by the Government of India.
2. Narotam Sekhsaria Scholarship
   • For students with disabilities pursuing higher education.

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6. Online Platforms for Scholarship Search

1. Buddy4Study: Comprehensive database of scholarships for Indian students.
2. Scholarships.com: Focused on international scholarships.
3. Fastweb: Customized scholarship matches based on student profiles.
4. National Scholarship Portal (NSP): Centralized platform for government scholarships in India.

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7. How to Apply for Scholarships

1. Identify Scholarships: Use platforms like NSP, Buddy4Study, or university websites.
2. Check Eligibility: Ensure you meet academic, financial, and other criteria.
3. Prepare Documents: Commonly required documents include:
   • Academic transcripts.
   • Proof of income (for need-based scholarships).
   • Statement of Purpose (SOP) or essay.
   • Letters of Recommendation (LOR).
4. Apply Early: Submit applications well before deadlines to avoid last-minute issues.