SC Scholarship 2024 – Complete List, Eligibility and Application Process

SC Scholarship aims to support the scheduled caste (SC) students to enable them to pursue their higher studies without any financial constraints. The Department of Social Welfare and Empowerment, Government of India along with its subsidiaries at the state level offer a number of SC scholarships. These scholarships aim at providing suitable financial assistance to students who are economically disadvantaged and meritorious. SC scholarship is divided into pre-matric, post-matric, Rajiv Gandhi national fellowship, and overseas scholarship.

This article acquaints you with every significant information related to SC scholarships such as the complete list of SC scholarships, their eligibility, the application process, award details, selection criteria, documents required, and more.

SC Scholarship 2024 – The Complete List

The following table provides information on all the types of scholarships available for SC students in India. You can look up scholarship that fits your requirements and apply for them within the stipulated timeline. Also, you will get to know about the number of SC scholarships being offered by the government.

Detailed List of SC Scholarship

Scholarship Name	Number of Scholarship	Application Timeline*
Pre-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	NA	December to April
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	NA	December to April
Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship (National Fellowship for SC Students)	2,000	May to July
National Overseas Scholarship for SC Students	100	February and March
Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students	1,500	August and February

*The timeline mentioned above is tentative and subject to change at the discretion of the scholarship provider.

SC Scholarship 2024 – Pre-Matric Scholarship for students of Class 9 & 10

This SC scholarship is offered by the Government of India and implemented by the State Government or Union territories (UT). The objective is to financially support the students of Class 9 & 10 to reduce the dropouts due to lack of funds thereby enabling them to continue their higher studies. The amount of financial assistance that each scholar will receive under this scheme is given hereunder.

Pre-matric SC scholarship awards

Award	Day scholars	Hostellers
Scholarship per month (for 10 months)	₹225	₹525
Books and Ad-hoc grants per annum	₹750	₹1,000

Eligibility Criteria:

• Students should belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.
• Parents’ annual income should not exceed ₹2,50,000 per annum.
• The students should not get any other funds from the central government.
• The applicant should be a regular student in a Government school or school recognised by the Government or Central/State Board of Secondary Education.

Application Process:

• The students should apply via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or respective state portals.
• The following documents should be uploaded along with the main application: passport size photo, self-attested copies of certificates, diploma, degree etc., caste certificate, & income declaration.

Selection Process:

All eligible SC students will be awarded the scholarship. The candidates will be selected based on the fulfillment of eligibility criteria.

Also Read: National Scholarship Portal – NSP Login, Check Status, Last Date

SC Scholarship 2024 – Post-matric scholarships

The post-matric scholarships are centrally sponsored schemes implemented through state governments. This SC scholarship scheme provides financial assistance to Scheduled Caste students at the post-matriculation or post-secondary stage to enable them to complete their studies.

The following table provides information on the scholarship award that each selected scholar will receive:

Post-matric SC scholarship awards

Course	Day Scholar allowance (for 10 months)	Hostellers allowance (for 10 months)	Readers allowance (for blind candidates)
Group 1– (I) Degree and postgraduate level courses in medicine, engineering, technology, agriculture etc. (II) Postgraduate diploma courses in management and medicine (III) CA/ICWA/CS/ICFA etc. (IV) MPhil, PhD and postdoctoral programmes	₹1,200	₹550	₹240
Group 2– Professional course leading to a degree, or diploma in Pharmacy, nursing, etc.	₹820	₹530	₹240
Group 3– Graduate and postgraduate courses not covered in Groups 1 and 2	₹570	₹300	₹200
Group 4- Post matriculation level non-degree courses (10th passed)	₹380	₹230	₹160

Apart from maintenance allowance, the students will also get reimbursement for non-refundable fees, study tour charges, thesis typing/printing charges, book allowance, and book bank facilities.

Eligibility Criteria:

• SC students enrolled in post-matriculation or post-secondary courses in recognised institutes/universities/colleges can apply for this scholarship.
• The annual family income of the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) should not exceed ₹2,50,000 per annum

Application Process:

• The application form can be filled online via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) or the respective state portal.
• The candidates need to make sure to upload scanned required documents such as self-attested copies of certificates, diplomas, degrees etc., and caste certificates and income declarations.

Selection Process:

All SC candidates are eligible subject to the application of means test.

SC Scholarship 2024 – Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship for SC

The Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship or RGNF scheme is funded by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for SC students. There are 2,000 scholarships granted to SC students per year. The students should be enrolled in universities recognized under the University Grants Commission (UGC). The fellowships are specifically for M.Phil. and PhD students.

Award details of Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship

Duration	Name of the course	Rate of Scholarship	Subjects
2 years	M.Phil.	₹31,000 (JRF) for initial 2 years ₹35,000 (SRF) for remaining tenure	Science, Humanities, and Social Science
5 years	Ph.D.	₹31,000 (JRF) for initial 2 years ₹35,000 (SRF) for remaining tenure	Engineering and Technology
		₹10,000 for initial 2 years ₹20,500 (for remaining tenure)	Contingency for Humanities and Social Science
		₹12,000 for initial 2 years ₹25,000 for remaining tenure	Contingency for Science, Engineering, Technology
		As per the rules of the University/Institution/College	HRA (House Rent Allowance)
		₹2,000 per month in case physically disabled students	Readers assistance

Eligibility Criteria:

• A student belonging to the SC category only can apply.
• They must be admitted to an MPhil/Ph.D. degree in a university or academic institution.

Application Process:

• Students can fill an online application at the UGC official website.
• The application is filled in two parts: (1) personal details and (2) academic qualifications and research experience.
• Applicants need to upload scanned copies of the following documents: mark sheets and institute certificate (all in PDF or JPG format).

SC Scholarship 2024 – National Overseas Scholarship for SC

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India launched the National Overseas Scholarship initiative for supporting SC students/professionals who are financially constrained to be able to study abroad via this fellowship. Students or professionals belonging to the SC category who wish to pursue a master’s or Ph.D. in overseas institutes are eligible to apply.

The fields of study covered under this SC scholarship scheme are engineering and management, pure science and applied science, agricultural science and medicine, international commerce, accounting finance, humanities, social science, and fine arts. The government issues 100 scholarships out of which 30% are allotted to female applicants. There are 90 scholarships and 4 passage grants for SC category. The duration of the award for PhD students is 4 years and for master’s students is 3 years.

The table describes the scholarship award granted to the selected SC candidates pursuing research in foreign universities:

Awards details of National Overseas Scholarship

Types of allowance	US	UK
Annual maintenance allowance	USD 15,400	GBP 9,900
Research/teaching assistantship	Supplemented	Supplemented
Contingency	USD 1,500	GBP 1,100
Incidental journey allowance and equipment allowance	USD 20	NA
VISA fees, poll tax, etc.	Actual fees	Actual fees
Air travel, Local travel etc.	As applicable	As applicable

The selected candidate will need to execute a bond on a non-judicial stamp paper before a notary for the actual amount to be spent by the Government of India on the candidate. The candidates shall not change the course of study or research while availing the scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category can apply.
• They must be below the age of 35 years.
• The applicants must have secured more than 60% marks in their last qualifying examination.
• The annual family income should not exceed ₹8,00,000 per annum.

Application Process:

The eligible candidates can follow the below-given steps to apply for this SC scholarship online –

Step 1:  Click here to start the application.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Register Yourself’ button to create login details.

Step 3: Once registered successfully, log in to your account to proceed with the application.

Step 4: Fill in all required details including personal details, education details, employment details, and visa details.

Step 5: Upload the documents mentioned below –

• Caste certificate
• Birth certificate
• Photograph of the applicant
• Scanned signature of the applicant
• Current address proof
• Permanent address proof
• Qualifying marksheet/degree
• Valid document for marks
• Valid document regarding admission to a foreign university
• Income certificate of all earning members of the family
• Employer’s NOC certificate

Step 6: Submit the completed application form online.

Selection Process:

The students who have already taken admission in one of the accredited foreign university or institution by an authorized body in that country for the academic being applied. The selection and screening committee will make suitable recommendations based on the guidelines provided here.

SC Scholarship 2024 – Top Class Education Scheme for SC Students

Initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, this scheme offers financial support to SC category students who have taken admission at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. The key objective of the scheme is to recognize and promote quality education beyond Class 12 among SC students.

A total of 1,500 scholars are awarded under this scheme. The detail of financial assistance given under this scheme is given below.

Award Details of Top Class Education Scheme

• Full tuition fee and non-refundable charges up to ₹2,00,000 per annum (for private sector institutions and up to ₹3,72,000 per annum (for private sector flying clubs for Commercial Pilot Training and Type Rating Courses)
• Living expenses of ₹2,220 per month
• Books and stationery charge up to ₹3,000 per annum
• One-time assistance of ₹45,000 for Computer/Laptop with UPS and Printer

Eligibility Criteria:

• The scheme is open for SC category students who have completed Class 12.
• They must have taken admission in a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course in a notified institution through general selection criteria prescribed by respective institutions.
• They must belong to a family where the annual income is not more than ₹6,00,000 from all sources.

Application Process

Step 1: Visit the official website of the National Scholarship Portal and register.

Step 2: Once registered, log in to proceed with the application.

Step 3: Fill in all required details.

Step 4: Upload the following documents –

• Caste Certificate
• Income Certificate
• Bank account details of the institution and the student
• Proof of admission
• Scorecard of entrance exam qualified (if applicable)
• Fee structure of the program

Step 5: Submit the application.

Selection Process

The scholarship will be sanctioned to the students of:

• All the IIMs, IITs, IIITs, AIIMS, NITs, NIFTs, NIDs, Indian Institute of Hotel Management, National Law Universities and other Central Government Institutions, OR
• Institutes included in the list of National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) A++ and A+ Accredited Institutions, OR
• Top 100 National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) Institutions, Or
• Institutions of National Importance as per the list issued by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).
• All Government and CPSE-run institutes, approved by the Director General of Civil Aviation in case, of Commercial Pilot Training Courses and Type Rating Courses.

SC Scholarship 2024 – FAQs

What is the eligibility criteria for the Centrally-Sponsored Scheme of Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste students studying in Class 9 and 10?

The eligibility criteria for the Pre-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste students studying in Class 9 and 10 include being a student from the Scheduled Caste category who is studying in Class 9 or 10 with a total annual income of the parents/guardians not exceeding ₹2,50,000.

What is the ICAR Post Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes candidates?

ICAR Post Matric Scholarship is a scholarship scheme that aims to provide financial assistance to students belonging to Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes communities who have been admitted to undergraduate degree programs of Agriculture & Allied Sciences in Agricultural Universities. The scholarship provides a monthly value of ₹300 and a contingent grant of ₹750 per annum for tuition fees, books, uniform, etc. The duration of the scholarship covers the whole period of the degree program.

How can I apply for the National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Caste candidates?

The candidates can apply for the National Overseas Scholarship for Scheduled Caste candidates by visiting its official website. The student needs to register on the portal www.nosmsje.gov.in and fill the application form with the required details.