The “Free Studentship” Scheme, launched by the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education, Meghalaya, is a state-sponsored program that provides financial assistance for tuition and other fees to Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) students. The scheme aims to support students pursuing regular courses in recognized institutions, ensuring equal access to education.
Benefits
The scheme provides financial assistance for tuition fees at different educational levels:
| Education Level | Financial Assistance (₹) |
|---|---|
| Class 11th – 12th (Arts & Commerce) | ₹1,105/- |
| Class 11th – 12th (Science) | ₹1,285/- |
| Degree General (Arts & Commerce) | ₹1,375/- |
| Degree Major (Arts & Commerce) | ₹1,635/- |
| Degree General (Science) | ₹1,735/- |
| Degree Major (Science) | ₹2,235/- |
Note: The amount is disbursed as per prescribed rates and may be revised by the government.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Free Studentship Scheme, the applicant must:
Be a citizen of India.
Be a permanent resident of Meghalaya.
Belong to the SC/ST/OBC category.
Be a student pursuing a regular course in a recognized institution.
Not be a recipient of other government scholarship schemes such as the Post Matric Scholarship for SC/ST students or other state/central government scholarships.
Not be a government or non-government employee.
Not have repeated the same class more than once.
Application Process
Offline Mode
Obtain the Application Form
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- Students studying in institutions in Meghalaya can collect the application form from their respective colleges/institutes.
- Students studying outside Meghalaya can collect the form from the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education (D.H.T.E.).
- Alternatively, students can download and print the application form (if available).
Fill Out the Application Form
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- Complete all mandatory fields and attach required documents.
- Ensure that all details provided are accurate and self-attested (if required).
Submit the Application
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- Submit the completed application form along with the required documents to the Head of Institution where the student is pursuing studies.
Request Acknowledgment
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- Collect a receipt or acknowledgment after submission. Ensure it contains essential details such as the date and time of submission and a unique identification number (if applicable).
Documents Required
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- Citizenship Certificate.
- Birth Certificate.
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC).
- Admission Proof (Admission Letter/Institution Verification).
- Income Certificate.
- Address Proof (Domicile/Residential Certificate).
- Marksheet and Certificate (High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) Matriculation or any equivalent Examination).
- Any other document as required by the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are students from SC/ST communities outside Meghalaya eligible for the scheme?
No, only permanent residents of Meghalaya are eligible.
Q: Where can students obtain the prescribed application forms?
Students can collect application forms from their college/institution or from the Directorate of Higher & Technical Education (D.H.T.E.), Meghalaya.
Q: How do students renew their Free Studentship each year?
Students must reapply each academic year by submitting a fresh application along with the required documents.
Q: When and how are the funds disbursed to eligible students?
The financial assistance is directly credited to the student’s bank account or provided through institutions after verification and approval.
Q: What happens if a student discontinues their studies mid-term?
If a student drops out or fails to continue their education, the studentship benefits will be discontinued immediately.
Q: Can students transferring from other states apply for Free Studentship?
Only if they hold permanent residency in Meghalaya.
Q: Can non-permanent residents of Meghalaya apply for the scheme?
No, only permanent residents of Meghalaya are eligible.
Q: Are students employed in part-time jobs eligible for the scheme?
Yes, as long as they do not hold full-time employment.
Q: Can students who have repeated a class once still apply?
Yes, but students who have repeated a class more than once are not eligible.
Q: Can students benefiting from other government scholarship schemes apply?
No, students already receiving any state or central government scholarships are not eligible for this scheme.