Consequent upon the partition of India in 1947, the people inhabiting the Indo-Bangladesh Border suffered acute economic distress due to closure of normal trade channels with our neighbouring country. The people of those areas have been experiencing great difficulty to give proper education to their children on account of economic hardships and many students had to give up their studies in between due to the economic hardships faced by their parents. It was obvious that majority of the students hailing from those areas wereeconomically handicapped and hence could not catch up with those living in non- border areas. With a view to removing this handicap, a scheme for giving financial assistance to the students hailing from the international border areas under the nomenclature “Border Areas Scholarship 2025-26” was introduced by the Border Areas Development Department, Government of Meghalaya.
Objective
The primary objectives of the Border Areas Scholarship are to:
- Provide financial assistance to students residing in border areas to support their education.
- Reduce dropout rates caused by economic hardships.
- Ensure equal educational opportunities for students from border regions compared to those in non-border areas.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance to support educational expenses for students from notified border villages.
- Subsidies awarded on a year-wise basis depending on the student’s performance in promotion examinations.
- Students can enjoy other scholarships simultaneously, as this scheme is considered a grant/subsidy rather than a full scholarship.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Border Areas Scholarship, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- The applicant’s father’s and mother’s income must be derived entirely from border areas.
- The applicant must be a resident of a notified border area village as recognized by the Border Area Department.
- Government employees are not eligible for this scholarship.
- Students pursuing Ph.D. or M.Phil degrees are not entitled to this subsidy/scholarship.
- B.Ed and M.Ed students are eligible, but those already in service are not entitled to this scholarship.
- Good conduct, regular attendance, and satisfactory academic progress are required to maintain eligibility.
- Participation in political activities or demonstrations will result in the loss of the scholarship.
- The scholarship will be suspended if a student discontinues their studies before completing the course.
Exclusions
- Government service employees and students who are already employed are excluded.
- Ph.D. and M.Phil students are not eligible for this scheme.
- Students from non-border areas or other states are not eligible to apply.
Application Process
Offline Application Steps:
- Collect Application Form:
- Obtain the form from the Head of Educational Institutions or download it from the official website of the Border Areas Development Department.
- Click here to download the application form.
- Fill in the Form:
- Complete the form with accurate details. Attach the required documents and passport-sized photographs.
- Submit Through Institution:
- Submit the filled application form to the Head of your Educational Institution.
- The institution will forward it to the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education, Meghalaya.
Online Application Process-
APPLICATION FORM FOR BORDER AREA SCHOLARSHIP 2025-26
[FOR THE STUDENTS RESIDING IN THE NOTIFIED BORDER VILLAGES OF THE STATE]
Instructions
1. Candidates are required to visit http://www.megeducation.gov.in and check eligibility criteria before applying.
2. Before filling up the form, all documents required to be uploaded should be properly scanned
3. Required documents include
- Aadhaar Card
- ST Certificate
- Marksheet in respect of all Board/University/Annual Examination passed [Merge all mark sheets as one pdf file]
- Recommendation of the Head of Institution
- Income Certificate
- Permanent Residential Certificate
- Certificate from Border Area Development Officer
- Bank Account Passbook
4. Size of the passport size photo should be between 20KB-200KB.
5. For any technical issues mail to: [email protected]
Kindly ensure that all parameters in the form are properly filled.
Documents Required
To apply for the scholarship, the following documents are necessary:
- Aadhaar Card (Proof of Identity)
- Date of Birth Certificate
- Residential Certificate from a recognized authority confirming residence in a notified border area
- Educational Certificates
- Previous Year’s Academic Certificates
- Proof of Admission to the current course of study
- Latest Passport Size Photograph
- Bank Account Details (linked to the applicant)
- Photo ID Proof (e.g., Voter ID, Ration Card)
- Email ID and Mobile Number for correspondence
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the Border Areas Scholarship scheme?
It is a financial assistance program designed to help students from notified border villages in Meghalaya continue their education despite economic hardships.
Q2: What are the benefits of this scheme?
Eligible students receive financial assistance to cover their educational expenses and reduce dropout rates due to financial constraints.
Q3: Can students from other states apply for this scheme?
No, only residents of notified border villages in Meghalaya are eligible.
Q4: Does this scheme cover all villages in Meghalaya?
No, it only covers notified border area villages as specified by the Border Area Department.
Q5: Can a working person apply for this scheme?
No, government employees and those already employed are not eligible.
Q6: How can students apply for this scheme?
Students must apply offline through their Educational Institution, which will forward the application to the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education.
Q7: Can applicants apply for other scholarships as well?
Yes, this scheme is considered a grant/subsidy, and recipients can apply for other scholarships simultaneously.
Q8: What documents are required for the scheme?
Applicants need to submit proof of residence, educational certificates, Aadhaar card, bank details, and other relevant documents.
Sources and References
- Guidelines
- Website: Visit the official website