In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the FAEA Scholarship 2025, including eligibility criteria, benefits, the application process, selection procedure, and more.
What is the FAEA Scholarship 2025?
The Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access (FAEA) Scholarship is a merit-cum-means initiative designed to uplift students from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Supported by partners such as the Tata Group, the program provides financial assistance to Class 12 graduates and first-year undergraduate students enrolled in recognised Indian institutions. Eligible courses span a wide range of disciplines, including Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering, Medicine, and other professional fields.
One of the core strengths of the FAEA Scholarship is its comprehensive financial support. It covers tuition fees, hostel expenses, and other academic costs, relieving students of financial stress and allowing them to focus entirely on their studies. This is particularly significant in the context of data from the Ministry of Education (2023), which shows that only 26.3% of students from socio-economically weaker sections can access higher education. The FAEA initiative directly addresses this gap by selecting around 50 deserving students each year.
In addition to financial aid, the program offers a strong support system that includes mentorship, leadership development, and peer learning opportunities. With a strong focus on students belonging to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, and the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), the FAEA Scholarship is not just about funding education, it is a long-term investment in social equity, empowerment, and nation-building.
FAEA Scholarship 2025 – Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must fulfill the following eligibility criteria to be considered for the FAEA Scholarship 2025:
- The applicant must be an Indian citizen and a permanent resident of India.
- Candidates must have successfully passed Class 12 from a recognised board in India during the academic year 2024–25.
- Students awaiting their Class 12 results are also eligible to apply, but they must submit proof once the results are declared.
- The applicant must be enrolled in the first year of an undergraduate degree program in any recognised Indian college, university, or institution. Eligible disciplines include Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering, Medicine, and other professional or technical fields.
- Preference will be given to students belonging to socially and economically disadvantaged groups. This includes students from SC, ST, OBC, BPL (Below Poverty Line), and EWS (Economically Weaker Section) categories.
- Applicants should demonstrate a strong academic record. As per some sources, a minimum of 90% marks in Class 12 board examinations is required, though the exact cutoff may vary at the discretion of the FAEA selection committee.
- The FAEA offers ten Garg Snehmayi Scholarships, exclusively for female students from Punjab, to support their studies at premier institutions in India.
- Additionally, need-cum-merit-based grants are available for General Category students who have scored more than 90% in Class 12 or secured admission to top-tier institutions.
- All applicants must disclose any other scholarships, grants, or financial aid they are receiving. Failure to provide this information may result in the cancellation or withdrawal of the FAEA Scholarship.
FAEA Scholarship 2025 – Awards & Benefits
| Benefit | Description | Amount (Per Annum) | Payment Method | Conditions/Notes |
| Tuition Fees | Covers full or partial tuition fees for free | Varies (based on course) | – Submit a fee certificate attested by the Principal/Dean/Director
– Or pay fees and submit original receipts with an attested expense certificate for reimbursement |
– Fees must be for free seats only.
– Certificate must include a fee structure breakdown for the academic year (one or two semesters) |
| Maintenance Allowance | For scholars not staying in college hostels to cover living expenses | ₹18,000 | – Paid directly to scholars via a demand draft
– Disbursed in one or two equal instalments of ₹9,000 |
– Not applicable if the scholar avails hostel/mess charges
– Scholars must submit Non-Hosteller Format 3 if not in a college hostel |
| Books Allowance | To cover the cost of textbooks and study materials | ₹1,000 – ₹2,000 | – Paid directly to scholars via a demand draft
|
Amount varies as intimated at the time of selection |
| Clothing Allowance | To support the purchase of clothing | ₹1,000 | – Paid directly to scholars via a demand draft
– Released at the start of the academic year |
Fixed amount for all scholars |
| Travel Allowance | To cover travel expenses related to education | ₹1,000 | – Paid directly to scholars via a demand draft
– Released at the start of the academic year |
– Scholars must manage transportation within this amount.
– Requests for additional travel (e.g., bus fees) are denied unless for inter-city travel for education (requires a separate request) |
| Miscellaneous Allowance | For scholars availing hostel/mess charges to cover additional expenses | ₹3,000 | – Paid directly to scholars via a demand draft
– Released at the start of the academic year |
– Only for scholars receiving hostel/mess charges
– Not applicable for those receiving maintenance allowance |
| Hostel & Mess Charges | Covers actual hostel and mess charges for college-provided facilities | Actual cost (varies) | – Submit a certificate attested by the Principal/Dean/Director/Warden/Provost
– Or pay charges and submit original receipts with an attested certificate for reimbursement |
– Only for college-provided hostel/mess facilities (private facilities not covered)
– Certificate must include a breakdown of charges for the academic year |
Note – The exact amount of financial aid varies depending on the student’s course, financial need, and the availability of funds. Scholars are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress and submit their annual results and progress reports to the FAEA office.
FAEA Scholarship 2025 – Required Documents
Eligible students are required to submit the following documents while applying for the FAEA Scholarship:
- Class 10 and 12 marksheets (attested by the school/college principal).
- Income certificate issued by a competent government authority (not below the rank of Tehsildar).
- Caste certificate (if applicable for SC/ST/OBC candidates).
- BPL card/certificate (if applicable).
- Proof of admission to an undergraduate program.
- Aadhaar card, college ID, voter ID, or other photo ID proof.
- A recent passport-size photograph with confirmation code and name.
- Bank account details for direct fund transfers.
- Scholarship declaration letter (mentioning any other financial aid received, attested by the college principal).
- Certificate of expenditure (for fee, hostel, and mess charges, attested by the college principal).
FAEA Scholarship 2025 – How to Apply?
The application process for the FAEA Scholarship 2025 is entirely online and straightforward. Follow these steps to apply:
Step 1 – Go to the official website of at faeaindia.org
Step 2 – Now, click on the registration link in the announcement section or navigate to the ‘Click here to Register Online for FAEA Scholarship 2025-26.’
Step 3 – Fresh candidates must click on ‘Fresh Candidate (CLICK HERE) to Register’, and registered candidates must click on ‘Registered Candidate (CLICK HERE) to Complete Process’ after their Class 12th results are declared.
Step 4 – Fill in all the required details and click on the ‘Submit’ button.
Step 5 – Your student dashboard will appear like this on the screen.
Step 6 – Fill the required details in the application form.
Step 7 – Upload the necessary documents in the prescribed format and size. Finally, submit the application form.
FAEA Scholarship 2025 – Selection Process
The FAEA Scholarship selection process is rigorous, ensuring fairness and transparency.
| Stage | Details |
| Application Screening | The FAEA team reviews applications to check for eligibility, academic merit, and financial need. |
| Shortlisting | Shortlisted candidates are informed via email or phone and are invited for an interview. |
| Interviews | Interviews are held in major metropolitan cities across India. They are designed to evaluate the candidate’s academic potential, personal circumstances, and future aspirations. |
| Final Selection | A national panel makes the ultimate decision, considering interview performance, academic records, and financial need. The results are published on the FAEA website. |
| Verification | Successful candidates are required to submit official academic results and other necessary documents to verify their admission to a recognised educational institution. |
The scholarship is awarded to 50 students annually, with support contingent upon acceptance by the host institution.
| Click Here to Read the FAEA Scholarship Manual |
FAEA Scholarship 2025 – Conditions for Continuation & Withdrawal
Scholarship will be revoked or terminated under the following conditions:
- Failure to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Physical or mental illness that hinders continuation in the program.
- Submission of false information or declarations by the student.
Scholars must adhere to the below to continue receiving the FAEA Scholarship:
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress and submit annual results and progress reports to the FAEA office.
- Inform the FAEA of any additional scholarships or financial aid received, as this may affect the award amount.
- Renew the scholarship annually, subject to academic performance and availability of funds.
FAEA Scholarship 2025 – Deferment Policy
Scholars can request a one-year deferment (postponement) of the scholarship under specific circumstances, such as:
- Preparing for competitive exams (e.g., MBBS or engineering).
- Serious illness affecting the scholar or their immediate family.
- Adverse circumstances in the scholar’s home state.
To request a deferment, scholars must submit a written application to the FAEA office in New Delhi, along with supporting documentation (e.g., medical certificates). Deferments are evaluated case-by-case and approved at FAEA’s discretion.
FAEA Scholarship 2025 – Contact Information
For queries or assistance, reach out to the contact details below –
| Category | Details |
| Name | Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access (FAEA) |
| Address | C-25, Qutab Institutional Area, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi – 110016 |
| inquiry@faeaindia.org | |
| Phone | +91-11-41689133 |
FAEA Scholarship 2025 – FAQs
Can an FAEA Scholar choose between a hostel/mess facility and a maintenance allowance?
No, FAEA scholars cannot choose between the two. If they are staying in a hostel provided by the college, they will be entitled to hostel/mess charges. Scholars who are not availing of the hostel facility will automatically be entitled to the maintenance allowance. This must be declared at the beginning of the scholarship and verified by the college principal.
Does FAEA pay for a private hostel?
No, FAEA does not cover the cost of hostels that are not affiliated with the college. If the college does not provide hostel accommodation or if the scholar is unable to secure a hostel room, they may reside outside the campus. In such cases, the scholar will be eligible for the maintenance allowance. However, the college principal must certify that the scholar is not availing of any hostel facility.
How does FAEA handle payments if the hostel fee is collected by the college, but mess charges are collected separately by a private contractor or managed under a dividing system?
As long as the hostel and mess charges are certified by the principal and clearly mentioned in a certificate (including the payee details), the expenses will be covered. If it is not possible to obtain a mess charges certificate attested by the principal or warden, the student should inform FAEA and request the maintenance allowance. The principal must also verify that the mess is either managed by a private contractor or under a dividing system.
Does FAEA provide additional book allowance?
No, FAEA does not provide any additional book allowance.
Who receives the scholarship amount?
All allowances will be paid directly to the scholar. If the scholar has already paid the college, mess, or hostel fees, they must submit the original receipts. In such cases, the payment draft will be issued in their name. Otherwise, the fees will be paid directly to the respective institution. Please ensure that the name provided matches the one on your bank account for the draft.
If I have not cleared some of my semester papers, am I still eligible for scholarship renewal?
Renewal of the scholarship depends entirely on your academic performance. If you have not cleared some papers but have been promoted to the next semester, your principal must provide a strong recommendation for the continuation of the scholarship. If you have not been promoted, the scholarship will be put on hold until you clear the pending papers. Renewal in such cases will be subject to FAEA’s approval.