2 scholarships for differently-abled and minority students

The National Scholarship Portal (NSP) of India has been a one-stop solution offering students of all ages, classes and communities grants-in-aid since the past two decades. Like every year, this year too, they have introduced new scholarship programmes for school children who are differently abled or belong to any minority communities. The last date of application for both the scholarship is 15^th November 2021. The application forms is available on the website of NSP. Here’s everything about these scheme. 

NSP pre-matric scholarship scheme for minority students 
This scholarship scheme is an initiative for the students of classes I to X belonging to minority communities. The scholarship aims to encourage parents of minority groups to send their kids to school by funding their education. A total of 30 lakh scholarships are targeted to be distributed as ‘fresh’ scholarships besides the renewal ones. While 30% scholarships will be reserved for female students across states, it is transferrable to male students in case of non-availability of girl candidates.  

Eligibility criteria 

• Candidates must belong to any of the following minority communities – Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains or must fall under section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992. 
• Candidates must be students of classes I to X with at least 50% marks in the previous annual exam. 
• The family income of a candidate must not be more than INR 1 lakh per annum from all sources. 

Benefits offered 
Eligible students will receive admission and tuition fees along with maintenance allowances for 10 months in an academic year. The amount of tuition fees may vary in between INR 500 and INR 2000 per annum. However, the exact amount for this year will be announced shortly. 

NSP pre-matric scholarship scheme for students with disabilities 
This scholarship scheme is an initiative for differently-abled students of classes IX and X. The key objective of this initiative is to provide educational aids to physically challenged students, prepare them to earn their own living and find a dignified place for themselves in the society. Fifty per cent of the total scholarship will be reserved for girl candidates. Over 50 thousand scholarships will be distributed in this academic year. 

Eligibility criteria 

• Candidates must be regular full-time students of class IX or X in government or recognised schools. 
• Candidates must have more than 40% disability and a valid certificate for the same. 
• Candidate’s annual family income should be less than INR 2.5 lakh from all sources. 
• Not more than two children with disabilities of the same parents will be entitled to receive the benefits. 

Benefits 
Eligible students will receive maintenance allowance, book grants and disability allowances. 

• The amount for the book grant will be INR 1000 per annum.  
• The amount for maintenance allowance will be INR 500-800 per month. 
• Visually impaired people along with intellectually disabled people will receive disability allowance of INR 5000 per annum.  
• Other physically challenged people will receive INR 3500 per annum of disability allowance.