The Odisha Sahaya Scheme – Pre & Post Matric Scholarship is an initiative by the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department, Government of Odisha. This scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to child beggars and children of beggars to help them complete their education at pre-matric (Class V to X) and post-matric (Class XI–XII, general graduate/postgraduate, and professional/diploma courses) levels. The objective is to ensure that underprivileged children have equal opportunities to pursue education and break the cycle of poverty.
Benefits
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Scholarship Amount:
- Pre-Matric (Class V to X): ₹800 per month
- Post-Matric (Class XI–XII): ₹1,000 per month
- General Graduate/Postgraduate Courses: ₹1,500 per month
- Professional Degrees/Diplomas/Certificates: ₹2,000 per month
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Duration:
Scholarships are provided for a maximum period of 10 months in an academic year. -
Funding Process:
Applications are scrutinized by the District Social Security Officer (DSSO), and the required funds are submitted to the Department by the end of September. Following fund disbursement, the scholarship is remitted in advance for the academic year, with any undisbursed balance rolled over for the next session if necessary. -
Exclusivity:
Students already receiving scholarships from any other Central or State Government scheme are not eligible.
Eligibility
To qualify for the Odisha Sahaya Scheme – Pre & Post Matric Scholarship, the applicant must:
- Be a bona fide resident of Odisha.
- Be either a beggar or the child of a beggar.
- Be a regular student of a recognized educational institution in Odisha.
- Have a family income of not more than Rs. 2,40,000/- per annum.
- Not be receiving financial assistance under any other government scholarship scheme.
- For Pre-Matric scholarships, the student must be studying in classes V to X, and for Post-Matric scholarships, in classes XI–XII, general graduate/postgraduate courses, or professional courses as specified.
Application Process
Offline Process
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Submission:
- Students must submit an application in the prescribed format (Annexure B, page 17 of the provided PDF) immediately after admission.
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Verification by Educational Institution:
- The head of the institution verifies the information with available records and recommends the application to the concerned District Social Security Officer (DSSO).
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Review and Sanction:
- The DSSO scrutinizes the recommended applications and forwards them to the Collector for final sanction as per the established rules and procedures.
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Bank Account Requirement:
- After sanction, if the candidate is 18 years or older, a bank account should be opened in the candidate’s name. For candidates below 18, a joint account in the name of a parent or guardian must be maintained.
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Disbursement:
- The sanctioned scholarship funds are then remitted directly to the students’ bank accounts.
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Monitoring and Reporting:
- The DSSO is responsible for making online entries of data on the students and submitting a utilization certificate along with proof of remittance, counter-signed by the Collector, by 31st March each year.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card of the student.
- Caste Certificate (if applicable).
- Bonafide Certificate from the educational institution.
- Income Certificate issued by the Revenue Department, GNCT of Delhi (for Odisha, use the relevant state authority certificate).
- Previous Year’s Marksheet
- Bank Account Details:
For candidates 18 years or older (or joint account for minors). - Domicile Certificate (Proof of Odisha residency).
- Any other documents as specified in the scheme guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the Odisha Sahaya Scheme?
It is a scholarship program providing financial assistance for the education of child beggars and children of beggars at pre-matric and post-matric levels in Odisha. -
Who is eligible to apply for the Pre-Matric Scholarship?
Unmarried students from the beggar community or children of beggars, studying in classes V to X, with a family income not exceeding Rs. 2,40,000 per annum, are eligible. -
Who is eligible to apply for the Post-Matric Scholarship?
Similarly, students from the same community studying in classes XI–XII, or pursuing higher education such as general graduate/postgraduate or professional courses, are eligible. -
How can I apply for the scholarship?
Applications must be submitted offline by the head of the institution immediately after admission using the prescribed application form (Annexure B). -
What documents are required for the application?
Required documents include Aadhaar Card, caste certificate (if applicable), bonafide certificate, income certificate, previous year’s marksheet, bank account details, and domicile certificate. -
Is there an income limit for availing the scholarship?
Yes, the family’s annual income must not exceed Rs. 2,40,000/-. -
How are scholarship beneficiaries selected?
The applications are verified by the institution’s head and then scrutinized by the District Social Security Officer (DSSO) before final sanction by the Collector. -
What expenses does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship provides financial support to help cover educational expenses, ensuring continuity in the student’s education. -
Is there any specific deadline for scholarship applications?
The application should be submitted immediately after admission, and all processes are to be completed within the academic year as specified by the scheme guidelines.