Undergraduate scholarships are designed to offer financial aid to students admitted in undergraduate (UG) courses. After completing Class 12 studies, students want to pursue UG programs in different fields including Arts/Humanities, Medicine, Engineering, Commerce, Science, and Architecture, among others. In India, several students cannot pursue higher education because of financial difficulties and undergraduate scholarships provide them with the much-needed financial aid to cover their academic fees.
There are various institutions, both government bodies and private entities, providing UG scholarships to support needy and deserving students in pursuing UG programs. Through undergraduate scholarships, such students receive financial assistance to pay their course fees. They can then go on to complete the UG courses and increase their employability.
Under undergraduate government scholarships, the central government of India and the different state governments in India offer UG scholarships to people from the different sections of society. These include Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Scheduled Castes (SCs), among others.
Undergraduate Scholarships: Eligibility Criteria
The various undergraduate scholarships offered by different governments and private bodies vary in eligibility rules. This makes it important for students to study all the admission guidelines thoroughly. Also, they are advised to apply for UG scholarships only upon fulfilling the prescribed eligibility norms. Remember, your application will be rejected if you apply without meeting the stipulated eligibility norms.
Undergraduate Scholarships: Steps to Apply
Most undergraduate scholarships are processed via scholarship portals. Students who are interested in applying for undergraduate scholarships have to go to the relevant scholarship portals and submit their applications.
The various undergraduate scholarships offered by the Central government and various state governments are listed on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). Some state governments have their own scholarship portals for receiving and processing scholarship applications. Depending on the undergraduate scholarship you want to apply to, you should go to the relevant scholarship portal and submit your application.
If you are applying via the NSP to an undergraduate scholarship provided by the Central government or a particular state government, you have to first register on the website. Upon registration, the system will generate your Application ID and Password. Go on to sign in to your account with your login details to access the online application form. Fill out the compulsory details in the application form and upload the relevant documents. Follow by reviewing your application and then submitting the same online.
Undergraduate Scholarships: List of Compulsory Documents
Among the list of mandatory documents that candidates have to submit along with their UG scholarship application form are:
- Copies of educational mark sheets and academic certificates of past years’ exams
- Copy of Caste Certificate (if any)
- Copy of Disability Certificate (if any)
- Copy of student’s bank account passbook (first page)
- Student’s Family Income Certificate as given by a competent authority