Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students: Eligibility, Amount & Apply Online

The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students, launched by the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education), aims to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from low-income families. This scholarship supports students in meeting their day-to-day expenses while pursuing higher studies in various professional and general courses across India.

What is this scheme?

This scheme provides 82,000 fresh scholarships every year for graduate and postgraduate studies. The scholarship is distributed among State Education Boards based on the state's population in the 18-25 age group. It is divided equally between boys and girls, ensuring equitable access to higher education for meritorious students who have completed Class 12.

Who is eligible?

• Students must be above the 80th percentile of successful candidates in the relevant stream from the respective Board of Examination in Class 12.
• The applicant must be pursuing a regular course (not correspondence or distance mode) from a recognized university or college.
• The total annual family income of the applicant should not exceed INR 4.5 Lakh per annum.
• The student should not be receiving any other scholarship or stipend from Central/State government sources.
• The student must be enrolled in a course recognized by the AICTE, UGC, or respective regulatory bodies.

How much money?

The scholarship amount is INR 12,000 per annum at Graduation level for the first three years and INR 20,000 per annum at Post-Graduation level. For professional courses where the duration is 4 or 5 years, INR 20,000 per annum is paid in the 4th and 5th year.

Documents needed

1. Aadhar Card of the student
2. Class 12th Marksheet and Passing Certificate
3. Income Certificate issued by the competent authority
4. Caste Certificate (if applicable)
5. Disability Certificate (if applicable)
6. Bank Account Details (linked with Aadhaar)
7. Admission Slip or Fee Receipt of the current course

How to apply (step by step)

1. Visit the official National Scholarship Portal (NSP) website.
2. Click on 'New Registration' and provide the required personal and academic details.
3. Log in using the Application ID and Password received on the registered mobile number.
4. Select the 'Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students' from the list of schemes.
5. Upload the necessary scanned documents in the prescribed format.
6. Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
7. Track the application status and ensure the Institute/College verifies the application on the portal.

Important dates

Conclusion

The Central Sector Scholarship Scheme is a vital lifeline for meritorious students from economically weaker sections. By easing the financial burden of higher education, it empowers the youth of India to focus on academic excellence. Eligible students are encouraged to apply via the National Scholarship Portal well before the deadline to ensure timely disbursement of funds via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).