Pre-matric scholarships include financial support to students enrolled in the pre-matriculation stage of education, which includes Class 1 to Class 10. The Union Government of India and the different state governments in India provide a host of Pre-matric scholarships to students hailing from various backgrounds. These include Scheduled Tribes (STs), Scheduled Castes (SCs), General category, Minorities, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), among others. Pre-matric scholarships are aimed at promoting school-level education among the youngsters of the country by offering much-needed financial help while reducing the drop-out rate of students from schools.
Pre-matric scholarships are classified into two categories: centrally-funded scholarships and state-funded scholarships. The centrally-aided scholarships apply to students across India whereas the state-funded scholarships apply to students with domicile status in the respective states.
Delhi, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, and Uttarakhand are among the key states offering scholarships to help students pursue school education.
Pre-matric Scholarships: Eligibility Norms
Each Pre-matric scholarship has certain conditions that have to be met by the students. The academic qualifications and financial condition of the students are considered while preparing the list of candidates selected for receiving scholarships. Students are advised to read the eligibility norms of the scholarships and apply only upon fulfilling them. Scholarship applications are rejected if the student does not meet the given eligibility criteria.
Pre-matric Scholarships: How to Apply?
Most Pre-matric scholarships accept applications from eligible candidates online. The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) is one of the most popular scholarship portals in India through which candidates can submit applications for Pre-matric centrally-funded scholarships and Pre-matric state-funded scholarships. In addition to that, some state scholarships have their own respective scholarship portals whereby they accept and process applications.
Pre-matric Scholarships: Benefits
The amount of financial assistance offered under each Pre-matric scholarship tends to vary. Maintenance allowance, tuition fees, and book and ad-hoc grants, and other allowances are covered under Pre-matric scholarships.
Pre-matric Scholarships: List of Compulsory Documents
Candidates are required to submit various documents while applying for Pre-matric scholarships. Based on the verification of documents, the students are shortlisted for receiving scholarships. Among some mandatory documents to be submitted when applying for Pre-matric scholarships are:
- Copy of Student’s Domicile certificate
- Candidate’s photograph in the prescribed format
- Copy of Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Copy of Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Copies of student’s mark sheets and educational certificates of previous exams
- Aadhaar Card number
- Student’s Family Income certificate as issued by the relevant authority
- Copy of Student’s Bank Account Passbook