A scholarship can be defined as financial aid provided to a student on the basis of his or her academic, artistic, and athletic or other abilities and merit. It can serve as assistance in further education of a student. Generally, scholarships are granted to students who apply for them, meeting certain qualifying criteria. As with the grants, scholarships also do not have to be repaid. In other words, it’s the financial support that does not have to be repaid. There are many sources / organizations like colleges, universities, academies, schools, various community groups, agencies, unions, religious & charitable organizations and trusts that grant scholarships.
Scholarships are forms of financial aid that do not have to be repaid. Normally, academic merit and meritorious achievements in variety of other fields forms the basis of the award of scholarships, though at times financial condition and need of a scholar is considered as well.
So, summing up, we can say that scholarships are monetary awards that do not have to be paid back and are based on outstanding academic achievement or, in some cases, demonstrated talent in varied areas and fields such as sports, music, drama, etc.
How to Get a Scholarship
In fact, scholarships are available in abundance as there are millions out there but a more worrisome fact is that many of them are left un availed i.e. go unused on an annual basis.
The best way to begin seeking scholarships is to create a self awareness and do your research. Every college and university has a bounty of scholarships to be given to the meritorious students. Usually they will be listed on the school's or college’s website.
Types of Scholarships:
1. Merit Scholarships
These are the most common type of scholarship. Mostly, scholarships are awarded on merit basis. Overall excellent academic achievements form the eligibility criteria to qualify for a scholarship. The achievements may be in the form of the final score or marks scored in the internal examinations or rankings obtained in competitive exams at various levels.
2. Need-Based Scholarships
These types of scholarships are granted to students from the economically weaker sections of the society and are designed to aid the less-fortunate students in getting their academic degrees. Organizations or committees granting such scholarships take various factors into consideration such as family’s income, number of members in the family and number of siblings studying in school simultaneously, cost of living, etc. for the grant of funds under such scholarships.
3. Athletic Scholarships
Athletic scholarships are given based on the skill an athlete demonstrates in his or her area of sport. Students who have been great athletes in their school-times might have their college education paid for through an athletic scholarship. By way of scholarships, the star athletes are allured by different universities to recruit them for their own athletic teams.
4. Full / Partial Scholarship
Scholarships do not cover the cost of everything always. Of course, a full scholarship covers the full and final costs of living, study material including books and tuition fees. However, many scholarships are partial, i.e they may either cover any one or a part thereof like only the tuition fees or a part of it.
5. Fellowships:
Some scholarships are provided in the form of fellowships. In a fellowship, the student usually studies for an advanced degree or conducting research or to be a sub-specialist in his or her field. A scholarship of this type generally covers the cost of research and courses.
6. Major-Specific scholarships:
Many colleges offer scholarships to students in a particular subject. For a student to become eligible for such type of scholarship, he or she must pursue the specified subject in which he or she has academically excelled as his major subject of study.. These types of scholarships are granted on the same lines as institutional-based scholarships.
7. Ethnic / Minority and Religious Scholarships
Some minority communities, ethnic groups and religious organizations also provide financial aid to their members to help them pursue their desired education. The primary determinant for award of such a scholarship is the race or religion of a student, though the academic grades also are taken into account.
Advantages of Scholarships:
Some of the most valuable advantages of getting the scholarship are as follows:
- Getting a scholarship is to have free money from the donor to pursue further education or to meet other financial needs. One of the major benefits of scholarships is considerable reduction in the cost of attaining the qualification. In other words, it is one of the most cost-effective tools to attain education. In the last few years there has been a blindfold increase in the cost of education which has virtually made higher education next to impossible for the students from low-income group families. Now, in these tough times, if such a student gains scholarship then he or she gets an opportunity to earn a good degree and get better paying jobs which in turn can help him or her to support his family.
- Students can completely concentrate on their studies without having any type of financial burden on them like paying the fees, expenses on books and other study material, etc. They can completely focus on their studies without any kind of pressure.
- The tag of ‘high prestige’ is directly linked to an award of scholarship, as scholarships are awarded to students who hold a proven track record of a brilliant score and excellence in their respective fields. Thus, those who attain scholarships are considered to be more intelligent people than the rest and are more respected by the society.
- Another good advantage is that when applying for a job, scholarships serve as a highlight on a person’s job resume as these are also brilliant resume boosters and look fantastic when listed on the resume.
- Scholarships are far better than loans. Actually the comparison between the two is pointless, as loans come with a pay-back liability. Many students who take educational loans from banks and other financial institutions to earn their degrees feel it really difficult to repay the loans and they are continuously under pressure from the banks and other financial institutions. Consequently many students can be found working after college to get some money for repaying their loan. Such students are stressed with studies and work at the same time. The enjoyment and freedom to live a stress-free life becomes a distant dream for them. In such cases, the scholarships can make them absolutely free from the burden of repayment. Also, an additional benefit can be that if they work, their earnings can be saved for future benefits.
List of Scholarships in India:
- Animation Scholarships
- Denmark Govt. Scholarships from External Scholarship Division, MHRD, India
- Greece Govt. Scholarships from External Scholarship Division, MHRD, India
- Ireland Govt. Scholarships from External Scholarship Division, MHRD, India
- Nehru Centenary British Fellowships/ Awards from External Scholarship division, MHRD
- Austria Govt. Scholarships from External Scholarship Division Ministry of Human Resource and Development, India
- China Govt. Scholarships from External Scholarship Division, MHRD, India
- Indian Council of Historical Research National Fellowship
- Inlaks Fine Arts Awards
- Inlaks Scholarships
- Lady Meherbai D Tata Scholarships
- Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) Malcom and Elizabeth Adiseshiah Doctoral Fellowship
- Fellowship in Criminology/Police Science/ Forensic Science from Bureau of Police Research and Development
- Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan Scholarships
- UGC Part Time Research Associateship for Women
- UGC SAARC Fellowships
- Jamia Millia Islamia JBT Scholarship
- Rajiv Gandhi Science Talent Research Fellowship from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
- Swarnajayanti Fellowship for young Scientists of Indian National Science Academy
- Canada Commonwealth Scholarships from External Scholarship Division, MHRD, India
- Fellowship in Performing, Literary and Plastic Arts from the Department of Culture, Govt. of India
- Aligarh Muslim University Scholarships
- Indian Council of Historical Research Doctoral Fellowship
- Pondicherry University Merit Scholarships
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Scholarship for Higher Studies
- Fair and Lovely Foundation- Project Saraswati Scholarships
- Lalit Kala Akademi Scholarships
- National Brain Research Center Scholarships
- The Paul Foundation Scholarships
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research National Talent Scholarships
- Narottam Sekhsaria Scholarships
- NTPC Scholarships
- Hindu Hitachi Scholarhips
- L & T Build India Scholarships
- NIIT National Aptitude Test
- Scholarships for Research in Modern Indian Languages from the Central Institute of Indian Languages
- The Young Talent IT Scholarship from Dr.GB Scholarships Foundation
- Indian Council of Historical Research Senior Fellowship
- National Overseas Scholarship from Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- France Govt. Scholarships from External Scholarship Division MHRD, India
- Israel Govt. Scholarships from External Scholarship Division, MHRD
- Hungary Government Scholarship from External Scholarship Division, MHRD
- Belgium Govt. Scholarships from External Scholarship Division Ministry of Human Resource and Development
- NORAD Fellowships (Norwegian Govt.Scholarships) from External Scholarship Division, MHRD
- Indian Council of Historical Research Doctoral Fellowships for Foreign Nationals
- Inlaks Foundation Music Awards
- Institute for Social and Economic Change Ph.D Fellowships
- Indian Council of Social Science Research Senior Fellowships
- Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS) Malcom and Elizabeth Adiseshiah PhD Merit Scholarship
- Indian Council of Medical Research Junior Research Fellowships
- Jindal Trust Studentship
- University Grants Commission Junior Research Fellowships
- Biology Scholarships from the Department of Biotechnology
- National Overseas Scholarships in Science from Ministry of Tribal Affairs
- Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) Visiting Fellowship of Department of Science and Technology
- Tezpur University DBT Studentship
- Denmark Govt. Scholarships from External Scholarship Division, MHRD, India
- Inlaks Foundation Sports Awards
- Indian Council of Historical Research Contingency Grant
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited Scholarships
- HSBC Scholarships
- SPIC MACAY Scholarships
- Civil Aviation Scholarships of the Govt. of India
- Indian Institute Of Geomagnetism Research Scholarships
- Mahindra All India Talent Scholarships For Diploma Courses in Polytechnics
- Sports Authority of India Scholarships
- Junior Research Scholarships For Cancer Biology Tata Memorial Centre & Tata Memorial Hospital
- National Institute Of Science Communication And Information Resources (NISCAIR) Scholarship
- Homi Bhabha Center for Science Education Scholarships
- ONGC Scholarships for SC/ST Students
- Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) Women Scientist Scholarship Scheme
- Indian Council of Historical Research Junior Fellowship
- Indian Council of Social Science Research Senior Fellowships
- Shastri Indo-Canadian Fellowships
List of Educational Scholarships in India:
1. National Talent Search Scholarships (NTSE) granted by National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT):
General scholarship conducted for Xth standard students for higher studies.
2. National Talent Scholarship granted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICRA):
Scholarship in Agriculture and allied subjects conducted for 10+2 or equivalent students for Graduate level.
3. Young Science Fellowship Programme conducted by Indian Institute of Science (IISc):
Fellowship in Science and Mathematics subjects conducted for toppers in 10+2 or equivalent for higher studies/research in Science/ Mathematics.
4. Young Engineering Fellowship Programme conducted by Indian Institute of Science IISc:
Fellowship in Engineering conducted for toppers in 10+2 or equivalent for higher studies/research in Engineering
5. The Young Talent IT Scholarship granted by KGISL – The Dr.GB Scholarships Foundation:
Scholarship in Information Technology conducted for Graduate students for higher studies in IT.
6. Summer Research Fellowships Programme conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research:
Scholarship in Scientific Research conducted for students doing B.Sc, M.Sc, B.V.Sc, M.B.B.S, B.Pharma, Engineering.
7. Post Doctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience granted by National Brain Research Centre (NBRC):
Post Doctoral Fellowship is for Ph.D degree holders in any branch of science or any subject related to the general area of Neuroscience including Psychology.
8. Sports Scholarships are awarded by Sports Authority of India (SAI).
9. Netaji Subhas National Institute Of Sports (NSNIS) conducts State Level Scholarships, National Level scholarships, Scholarships for College/University Students, Scholarships to Women National Champions, Scholarships to Women doing M.Phil/Ph.D in Physical Education, Scholarships to Women doing NIS Diploma in Sports Coaching.
10. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) grants scholarships to SC/ST students pursuing Higher Studies in Engineering, Geology, Geophysics & MBA.
11. National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) grants scholarships to Scholarships to students belonging to SC/ST/ Physically Challenged categories pursuing full time degree course in Engineering.
12. Scholarships awarded by State Governments / UT Administration:
- National Scholarship Scheme: For Post Matric Studies in India for General Subjects.
- National Scholarships for Talented Children from Rural Areas for Secondary Stage Study.
- Scholarships for Post-Matric Students in Hindi to Students from Non-Hindi Speaking areas.
13. Scholarships awarded by Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)
- International Scholarships -Belgium, Canada, China, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Norway, Portugal, Syrian, U.K,
14. Frameboxx Animation Scholarship:
Frameboxx Animation Visual effects has announced Scholarship Schemes to support and encourage meritorious students with a keen interest in the field of animation by helping them fulfill their dreams without having to bear the entire burden of the Course fee.
Different Scholarship Categories:
Agriculture
- National Talent Scholarship granted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICRA):
Scholarship in Agriculture and allied subjects granted to 10+2 or equivalent students for Graduate
level.
Science
- Young Science Fellowship Programme conducted by Indian Institute of Science (IISc):
Fellowship in Science and Mathematics subjects conducted for toppers in 10+2 or equivalent for higher studies/research in Science/ Mathematics.
- Summer Research Fellowships Programme conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research:
Scholarship In Scientific Research conducted for students doing B.Sc, M.Sc, B.V.Sc, M.B.B.S,
B.Pharma, Engineering.
- Post Doctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience granted by National Brain Research Centre (NBRC):
Post Doctoral Fellowship is for Ph.D degree holders in any branch of science or any subject related
- Rajiv Gandhi Science Talent Research Fellowship from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research
- Swarnajayanti Fellowship for young Scientists of Indian National Science Academy
- Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) Women Scientist Scholarship Scheme
- Homi Bhabha Center for Science Education Scholarships
- National Institute Of Science Communication And Information Resources (NISCAIR) Scholarship
- Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) Visiting Fellowship of Department of Science and Technology
- National Overseas Scholarships in Science from Ministry of Tribal Affairs
Engineering
- Young Engineering Fellowship Programme conducted by Indian Institute of Science (IISc): Fellowship in Engineering conducted for toppers in 10+2 or equivalent for higher studies/research in Engineering
Information Technology
- The Young Talent IT Scholarship granted by KGISL – The Dr. GB Scholarships Foundation: Scholarship in Information Technology conducted for Graduate students for higher studies in IT.
- National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd (NTPC) grants scholarships to Scholarships to students belonging to SC/ST/ Physically Challenged categories pursuing full time degree course in Engineering.
Sports
- Most of the Sports Scholarships are awarded by Sports Authority of India (SAI).
- Netaji Subhas National Institute Of Sports (NSNIS) conducts State Level Scholarships, National Level scholarships, Scholarships for College /University Students, Scholarships to Women National Champions, Scholarships to Women doing M.Phil/Ph.D in Physical Education, Scholarships to Women doing NIS Diploma in Sports Coaching.
- Inlaks Foundation Sports Award.
Geology and Geophysics
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) grants scholarships to SC/ST students pursuing Higher Studies in Engineering, Geology, Geophysics & MBA.
- Indian Institute Of Geomagnetism Research Scholarships.
Animation
- Frameboxx Animation - Visual effects has announced Scholarship Schemes to support and encourage meritorious students with a keen interest in the field of animation by helping them fulfill their dreams without having to bear the entire burden of the Course fee.
History
- Indian Council of Historical Research National Fellowship
- Indian Council of Historical Research Doctoral Fellowship
- Indian Council of Historical Research Senior Fellowship
- Indian Council of Historical Research Junior Fellowship
- Indian Council of Historical Research Doctoral Fellowships for Foreign Nationals
- Indian Council of Historical Research Contingency Grant
Fine Arts
- Inlaks Fine Arts Awards
- Fellowship in Performing, Literary and Plastic Arts from the Department of Culture, Govt. of India
- Lalit Kala Akademi Scholarships
Languages and Literature
- Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan Scholarships
- Scholarships for Research in Modern Indian Languages from the Central Institute of Indian Languages
Education
- UGC Part Time Research Associateship for Women
- UGC SAARC Fellowships
- Jamia Millia Islamia JBT Scholarship
- Fair and Lovely Foundation- Project Saraswati Scholarships
- University Grants Commission Junior Research Fellowships
- Tezpur University DBT Studentship
Civil Aviation
- Civil Aviation Scholarships of the Govt. of India
International Scholarship for Indian Students:
- Commonwelath (UK) Scholarships for Indian Students
- Belgium Scholarships for Indian Students
- Canada Scholarships for Indian Students
- China Scholarships for Indian Students
- Czech Scholarships for Indian Students
- Germany Scholarships for Indian Students
- Greece Scholarships for Indian Students
- Israel Scholarships for Indian Students
- Ireland Scholarships for Indian Students
- Italy Scholarships for Indian Students
- Japan Scholarships for Indian Students
- Mexico Scholarships for Indian Students
- Mongolia Scholarships for Indian Students
- New Zealand Scholarships for Indian Students
- Norway Scholarships for Indian Students
- Portugal Scholarships for Indian Students
- Syria Scholarships for Indian Students
- Agatha Harrison Memorial Fellowships for Indian Students

