The Study Abroad Scholarships scheme, launched in 2003 by the Tribal Affairs Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, provides financial assistance to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students who wish to pursue higher education abroad. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, travel costs, visa fees, and other necessary allowances to enable meritorious ST students to study at foreign universities.
Benefits
- Tuition Fees: Up to 40,000 USD per year (paid directly to the university).
- Living Allowance: 9,000 USD per year (paid to the student’s bank account).
- Contingency Allowance: 1,000 USD per year (for miscellaneous expenses).
- Additional Expenses Covered:
- Visa Fees
- Medical Insurance
- Poll Tax
- Airfare (to and from the study destination)
- Rail/Bus fare within India
Note:
- Tuition fees are directly paid to the university, while the living and contingency allowances are transferred to the student’s bank account.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Study Abroad Scholarships, applicants must:
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Age Limit:
- The applicant must be under 35 years as of January 1st of the application year.
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Income Limit:
- The applicant’s annual family income should not exceed ₹10 lakh.
-
Educational Qualifications:
- For Postgraduate Courses:
- The applicant must have completed Graduation with at least 55% marks.
- For Ph.D. Programs:
- The applicant must have completed Postgraduation with at least 50% marks.
- For Postgraduate Courses:
-
Course Duration Requirements:
- Postgraduate Degree: Up to 2 years.
- Ph.D. Program: Up to 4 years.
- Research Program: Up to 1 year 6 months.
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Admission Requirement:
- The applicant must secure admission to a foreign educational institution independently before applying for the scholarship.
Application Process
Offline Application Process
- Visit the Tribal Affairs Department Headquarters in Bhopal (during office hours) to obtain the prescribed application form.
- Fill out the application form with all required details. Attach a passport-sized photograph and self-attested copies of the required documents.
- Submit the completed application form with all necessary documents to the concerned authority within the specified period.
- Request an acknowledgement receipt after submission. Ensure that the receipt includes:
- Date and time of submission
- Unique identification number (if applicable)
Documents Required
- Proof of Age (Birth Certificate/Aadhaar Card)
- Income Certificate (Issued by a competent authority)
- Educational Qualification Certificates (Graduation/Postgraduation degree)
- Mark Sheets (Graduation/Postgraduation)
- Passport Copy
- Proof of Admission to a Foreign University
- Visa Application and Visa Fee Receipt
- Medical Insurance Document
- Travel Documents (Airfare and Rail/Bus fare details)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the “Study Abroad Scholarships” scheme?
The scheme provides financial assistance to Scheduled Tribe students in Madhya Pradesh who wish to pursue higher education abroad, covering tuition fees, living expenses, travel, and other necessary costs.
Q: What is the age limit for applicants?
Applicants must be under 35 years as of January 1st of the application year.
Q: What is the income limit for this scholarship?
The applicant’s annual family income should not exceed ₹10 lakh.
Q: What is the duration of the course for Postgraduate students?
The maximum duration for a Postgraduate course is 2 years.
Q: What is the duration of the course for Ph.D. students?
The maximum duration for a Ph.D. program is 4 years.
Q: What are the minimum marks required for Postgraduate applicants?
Applicants must have obtained at least 55% marks in their Graduation.
Q: What are the minimum marks required for Ph.D. applicants?
Applicants must have obtained at least 50% marks in their Postgraduation.
Q: Can students choose their educational institution abroad?
Yes, students must secure admission independently before applying for the scholarship.
Q: Is this scholarship available for research programs?
Yes, the scholarship covers research programs up to 1 year and 6 months.
Q: What additional expenses does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship also covers visa fees, medical insurance, poll tax, airfare, and rail/bus fare.