National schemes available regardless of which state college or university you attend — the first place to check before assuming you need a loan.
These are national schemes administered through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) — apply in August–October of your admission year.
| Scholarship | Who qualifies | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Central Sector Scheme (CSSS) | 80th+ percentile in Class 12 boards; family income ≤ ₹8 lakh | ₹10,000/yr (1st yr); ₹20,000/yr (2nd–4th yr UG/PG) |
| Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST) | SC/ST students; family income ≤ ₹2.5 lakh/yr | Full tuition + maintenance allowance (₹1,200–1,500/mo hostellers) |
| AICTE Pragati (girls) | Girl students in AICTE-approved technical colleges; income ≤ ₹8 lakh | ₹50,000/yr — 4,000 seats/yr |
| AICTE Saksham (PwD) | PwD students in engineering/pharmacy/architecture | ₹50,000/yr — 1,000 seats/yr |
| AICTE Swanath | Orphans, children of armed forces martyrs | ₹50,000/yr — 2,000 seats/yr |
No — CSSS and the Post-Matric SC/ST Scholarship serve overlapping purposes and generally aren't combined; SC/ST students should apply for the Post-Matric scheme specifically, since it covers full tuition plus maintenance, a stronger benefit than CSSS's flat annual amount.
Most central scholarships, including CSSS, require maintaining at least 60% marks each year for renewal, along with proof of continued enrollment and a fee-paid receipt. Missing this threshold in any year typically ends the scholarship, not just pauses it.
A counsellor can check your eligibility against every scheme at once.