Paying for it
Cost decides many of these choices, and families often do not know these schemes exist. Apply only on the official portals below — never through an agent who charges a fee.
Karnataka State Scholarship Portal (SSP)
Karnatakassp.karnataka.gov.in
Who: SC, ST, OBC, Category-1 and minority students studying in Karnataka, from Class 1 through to postgraduate and PhD.
Worth: Pre-matric and post-matric maintenance, plus fee reimbursement depending on the scheme.
Family income ceilings apply — broadly below ₹2.5 lakh a year for SC/ST and below ₹1 lakh for OBC and Category-1. One-Time Registration on the National Scholarship Portal is required first. Money is paid straight into the Aadhaar-linked bank account by Direct Benefit Transfer. Closing dates differ by department, so check the portal.
National Scholarship Portal (NSP)
All Indiascholarships.gov.in
Who: Students across India from Class 1 to PhD. Central and state scholarship schemes sit together on this one portal.
Worth: Varies by scheme — maintenance allowance, fee support or merit awards.
Covers pre-matric (Classes 1–10) and post-matric (Class 11 upwards, including professional courses). You need an income certificate, caste or domicile certificate, Aadhaar, bank details and past marksheets. Complete the One-Time Registration before applying.
Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships (CSSS)
All Indiascholarships.gov.in
Who: College students who finished in the top 20 percentile of their Class 12 board, with family income below ₹4.5 lakh a year.
Worth: ₹12,000 a year for the first three undergraduate years, then ₹20,000 a year in the 4th and 5th years and at postgraduate level.
This one rewards Class 12 performance directly, so it is worth knowing about before you sit the board exam rather than after.
Apprenticeship stipend (NAPS)
All Indiaapprenticeshipindia.gov.in
Who: Apprentices training with an employer under the Apprentices Act, 1961 — a common route after ITI.
Worth: A monthly stipend from the employer, of which the government shares 25% up to ₹1,500 a month.
Government support is restricted to NSQF-aligned courses, which is one reason to check that alignment before enrolling anywhere.
Education loans (Vidya Lakshmi)
All Indiavidyalakshmi.co.in
Who: Students needing a loan for higher studies, applying to several banks through one form.
Worth: Varies by bank, course and collateral.
Use the official portal rather than an agent. Compare interest and moratorium terms, and check whether any government interest subsidy applies to your income bracket.