Every year, when board exam results are declared, we hear inspiring stories of young children from disadvantaged sections of society who have braved all odds to achieve academic success. However, for many youngsters from low-income families, access to higher education remains a distant dream. And that’s where scholarships, offered by the central and state governments or charitable foundations and individuals, play a vital role in helping needy students continue with their education, thereby leading to the upliftment of the family unit itself.
What are scholarships and how do they help?
A scholarship is a financial award given by an organisation, institution or person that helps students pay for their education. Deserving students are chosen to be recipients of scholarships on the basis of academic excellence, any other talent or financial needs. As far as students from low-income families are concerned, educational scholarships are a boon, helping them continue their studies and launch their careers.
These are some of the ways in which educational scholarships benefit students as well as their families.
Provides access to education
Scholarships help cover tuition fees and related expenses, making higher education and courses in prestigious institutions accessible to students who might otherwise be unable to afford it.
“Though children from low-income groups may have huge aspirations, they are challenged due to a lack of money or resources,” says Sethulakshmi, managing director, Sethu Foundation, which also offers scholarships to less privileged students. “They have a sense of direction after interacting with teachers and mentors but have no resources to realise their dreams.
For instance, theymay want to tutor themselves better to clear a competitive exam, may want to join the army, or learn to become an accomplished artist or singer, but are unable to hone their skills as they can’t pay for the lessons. That’s why scholarships are very important; they help students follow their preferred career paths.”
Reduces financial burden
Scholarships reduce the financial strain on families. They enable students to focus on academics rather than stressing about money, which helps them do better academically. Parents are also motivated to send their children to schools/ colleges as it doesn’t drain their financial resources.
Better job opportunities and improved economic mobility
With financial help, students can pursue higher studies, which in turn may lead to better job opportunities and salaries. This also helps the family unit as they can support their parents and help siblings access higher education.
“Scholarships can transform the lives of students and improve their socio-economic status. It helps students from low-income groups graduate from elite institutions,” says S Vaidhyasubramaniam, vice chancellor of SASTRA University, Thanjavur. “It also benefits their families as they become earning members. And society at large benefits as the family is the smallest micro-economic unit.”
SASTRA University also offers need-based scholarships to students. “Some are internally funded, others are channelised through donations that we get. We identify deserving students and ensure that the scholarship money reaches them,” says Vaidhyasubramaniam.
Supports diversity
By enabling students from various backgrounds attend educational institutions, scholarships promote a more inclusive and diverse learning environment in schools and colleges.
Helps skill development
Some scholarships also offer mentorship and support programmes that connect students with professionals and peers in their areas of study. This helps enhance the skills and employability of students, improving their chances of landing jobs and doing better in the workforce.
Fosters sense of empowerment
Receiving a scholarship can boost a student’s confidence and self-esteem. It also encourages them to aspire for greater achievements. “Getting a scholarship and being able to study at a good educational institution boosts the self-confidence of students, and also catalyses and accelerates career progress,” says Vaidhyasubramaniam.
Government educational scholarships for the less privileged
There are several scholarships that are available for Indian students from low-income families such as the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme (NMMSS), launched in 2008, which awards scholarships to meritorious students of economically weaker sections to arrest their drop out at class VIII and encourage them to continue their education at the secondary stage.
Offered by the Ministry of Education, the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students supports undergraduate students from low-income families. The Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST Students aims to appreciably increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio of SC students in higher education with a focus on those from the poorest households, by providing financial assistance at post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their education.
Private sector, Nonprofits chip in
Many companies that have education as part of their CSR programmes also offer scholarships.
HDFC Bank Parivartan’s Educational Crisis Scholarship Support (ECSS) Programme aims to support meritorious and needy students belonging to underprivileged sections of society. It is meant for school students from Class 1 to 12 and those pursuing diploma, ITI, polytechnic, UG and PG (general and professional) programmes. Under the ECSS programme, students who are unable to bear the cost of education due to personal/family crises or any other financial problems and are at a risk of dropping out are provided with monetary assistance of up to INR 75,000 for their studies.
HDFC Bank Educational Crisis Scholarship Support assists students facing financial difficulties due to unforeseen circumstances, helping them continue their education.
The Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship, a merit-cum-means scholarship programme, provides financial aid to deserving and meritorious students from underprivileged families. It is open for students studying in all courses.
What about us?
Smile Foundation operates educational scholarships projects in collaboration with esteemed donors, including Deutsche Bank, Quantiphi, Quest Global, and Siemens. These projects collectively benefit thousands of students.
The Foundation is committed to the long-term success of its scholars. A retention strategy is in place, including the regular review of academic performance, counselling services and mentoring. Some key features of these scholarship projects are:
Financial Assistance: They offer scholarships for the four-year duration of the engineering course, covering the tuition fee and ensuring that economic constraints do not impede their academic progress.
Learning Tools: Each scholarship recipient is provided with a laptop and other essential resources, ensuring that they have the technology required for online learning and research.
Employability Skills: The programme provides training in employability and communication, and internships to equip scholars with the skills required to not just graduate but to thrive in the competitive world.
Industry Exposure: Smile Foundation helps students visit the sites, offices, and different departments of potential employers based on their interests, education, and industry needs.
Domain Skills: Scholars are also provided with domain/technical skills training based on industry needs and in alignment with their chosen fields in the second year of the course.
Placement Assistance: Provides placement assistance in the fourth year of the course and helps the scholars with aptitude tests, mock tests, and mock interviews.
The path forward
“Many organisations have an earmarked CSR budget that they spend on education. There are other charities that also look at funding education for the less privileged. However, on one hand you have these organisations searching for good avenues where they can spend this money. On the other hand, you have institutions that are not fully aware of the opportunities available,” says Vaidhyasubramaniam.
That’s because many Indians believe in silent philanthropy, he says. “We have to make it a little noisier to make sure deserving people have access to it. But how do we familiarise and popularise these initiatives as these are people who don’t advertise?” he asks. “Some of them do their due diligence and reach out to credible institutions, honestly disbursing funds to deserving people. But amplifying silent philanthropy is a challenge.”