Best scholarship schemes in 2023 for High School Students in India
Are you a high school student in India and in need of financial aid to continue your education? Would you like to avail of scholarships to support high school studies? This article compiles a list of some best scholarship schemes in 2023 for high school students in India, which have been merit-based and need-based.
In general, it is a perception that scholarships are meant in relation to higher education like UG/PG courses alone. However, various scholarships have been available at the school level. As per the statement by the Ministry of Education, GOI in 2021, though the gross enrolment ratio (GER) of the students at the high school level has been 78%, the dropout percentage after the eighth standard still prevails considerably in most parts of the country. Aiming to lower the drop-out rate at this stage of education, several NGOs and the Government of India have initiated some best scholarship schemes in 2023 for high school students, who need finance to complete their schooling or to attain their career goals of higher education.
The scholarships are offered through conducting Olympiad tests or talent exams in science/maths/general knowledge at the national level across the country. Participating in such programs or competitions enhances the student's skills and boosts their confidence in addition to providing funding for future education as well. Scholarships have been offered based on merit or academic performance and competitive tests like National Olympiad/Talent Search examinations conducted at the school level.
The NSP (National Scholarship Portal) is an exclusive online platform for scholarships awarded by the Government of India, which provides complete information in this regard. Best scholarship schemes in 2023 for high school students in India
National Talent Search Exam (NTSE)
Aiming to support the students who have completed 10th grade, the NTSE scholarship has been initiated by the NCERT in 1963 to pursue higher studies. The National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) founded to improve the quality of education in the country conducts this NTSE scholarship exam to identify deserving students studying in high school and to provide financial aid to the same. This has been conducted at two different stages, stage one at the state level and stage 2 at the national level every year. Those who are qualified in the first stage will be eligible for the second stage. They need to undergo a written test, submit a project report, and attend a personal interview. The stage 1 exam has been conducted in November and stage 2 in May every year and selected students are awarded monthly scholarships for classes 11 and 12. Following is the official website for further details: www.ncert.nic.in National Level Science Talent Search Examination
The National Level Science Talent Search Examination, abbreviated as NSTSE, is a test initiated in 1998 by the organization called Unified Council to assess the skills of the students and to reward them for the same. The NSTSE being the skill-based assessment has been developed in India to identify the talented young pupil, promote their skills in science and mathematics, and award scholarships to ensure a bright future for them. This Unified Council also conducts this test in different countries at the international level. The official website is as follows: www.unifiedcouncil.com PM YASASVI Entrance Test (PMYET)
Under the PM YASASVI scheme (Prime Minister's Scholarship Award Program for Young Achievers in India YASASVI), PMYET is an entrance test-based scholarship instilled by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the GOI for qualified students in class 9 and class 11 in the States and Union Territories in India. This PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for a Vibrant India (YASASVI) has been provided to candidates belonging to OBC, Nomadic, semi-Nomadic tribes, and DNT (Denotified Tribes). PMYET test is conducted by the NTA to choose the candidates eligible for the above-mentioned scholarship award. For more details: https://pmmodiyojana.in/pm-yasasvi-schemeInternational Olympiad of English Language (IOEL)
To encourage the students to be proficient in the English language, the SilverZone Foundation has been conducting this exam on a national and international level. The assessment is held for candidates from classes 1 to 12 at their respective schools based on the syllabus including CBSE, ICSE, and state boards. This Olympiad provides the opportunity for children to compete at the global level and overcome challenges literally. Website: www.silverzone.org
The SilveZone Foundation also conducts unique Olympiad award programs in various disciplines with rewards and cash prizes. They include Little Star Olympiad for KG classes, SilveZone STEM Innovation Olympiad, International Informatics Olympiad, International Olympiad of Mathematics and Science, Akhil Bhartiya Hindi Olympiad, Smart Kid General Knowledge Olympiad, International Social Studies Olympiad, International Talent Hunt Olympiad, and International Reasoning and Aptitude Olympiad.Indian Talent Olympiad
With the objective to identify young talented minds and to reward them, Indian Talent Olympiad is a premier in conducting Olympiad Exams with offline and online options as per the choice of the schools and students. The Olympiad exams include International Science Olympiad (ISO), International Maths Olympiad (IMO), English International Olympiad (EIO), General Knowledge International Olympiad (GKIO), International Computer Olympiad (ICO), International Drawing Olympiad (IDO), National Essay Olympiad (NESO), National Social Studies Olympiad (NSSO), and National Cyber Olympiad (NCO). Deserving students at the State and National level will receive huge cash prizes, laptops, tablets, and Excellence awards summing up to INR 5 crores. This is to motivate them to excel in their field of academic interest and to attain special recognition. Web portal for more details: www.indiantalent.orgCBSE Single Girl Child Scholarship
With the objective to promote higher education of girl students, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has initiated a scholarship program known as "single girl child scholarship." This is a merit-based for female candidates, who must have completed 10th grade with a CGPA of 6.2 or 60% aggregate and should continue plus 2 studies. Every eligible applicant will be offered a scholarship of INR 500 monthly for two years (24 months) to complete their plus 2 studies. The CBSE has launched this to reduce the dropout percentage of girl children at the high school level due to financial disability. Interested candidates may visit the website: https://www.cbse.gov.in/cbsenew/scholar.htmlCCB Welfare and Scholarship Scheme India
CCB Welfare and Scholarship Scheme initiated by the Combined Counselling Board of India provides financial support to the deserving, but economically poor students from class 10 to PG. They can pursue diploma, UG, PG in certain disciplines such as polytechnic, pharmacy, hotel management, biotech, and engineering with 100% tuition fee waiver. The CCB's Welfare Department administers the scholarship to be awarded to the candidates from all categories with reservation of 20% allotted to the SC/ST/OBC with the income limit being less than Rs.2 lakhs per annum. Contact details for the above scholarship: www.ccbnic.in Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship
The Pre-Matric scholarship scheme offered by the GOI for pupils from classes 1-10 has been reserved for minority communities like Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist and Parsi with 30% allotment for girl children. The eligible applicants can avail the scholarship with 100% coverage with the annual income of Rs. 100,000 or less. The Post-Matric scholarship is given for students from standards 11 and 12 covering all fees including admission, tuition, and maintenance for the selected minority applicants with the same share for girl students.HDFC Educational Crisis Scholarship
One of the leading financial service providers in India, the HDFC Bank has launched the Educational Crisis Scholarship initiative to provide financial support to deserving school students from classes 6-12. HDFC Bank Parivartan's ECS Scholarship in School Program (Merit-Cum-Means Based) for students of classes 6-12 who secure 55% marks and HDFC Bank Parivartan's ECS Scholarship in School Program (Need-Based) for students of classes 6-12 having financial difficulties are the subsidiary scholarship initiatives to continue their higher studies. The official website for more details: www.hdfcbank.com KCMET's Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship
Launched way back in the 1950s, the scholarships/grants offered by the KCMET (K. C. Mahindra Education Trust) have been initiated mainly to support higher education for the needy/eligible pupils studying in class 10th and 12th students. Through the Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship, the aspiring candidates from economically weaker sections who seek admission to vocational diploma courses either in the government or eminent private polytechnic institutes can apply for the same. Scholarship amount equivalent to INR 10,000 yearly for three years has been awarded to 550 students under this scheme. This trust has recently incepted Mahindra Finance KCMET Scholarship for underprivileged girl students from all over India who study between class 1 to PG. The annual income of the parents should not be more than Rs. 4 lakhs. The online portal is as follows: www.kcmet.orgConclusion
To sum up, apart from the financial and educational benefits, availing scholarship specially, merit-based grants/rewards indeed upgrade the beneficiary's CV with awards/achievements. It is a revelation showcasing his/her academic, artistic skills while participating in such Olympiad award programs, exposure of knowledge in various fields, socializing attitude, and so on. It may eventually benefit the awardee to attain career goals in the future.