WBFS Freeship Scheme 2025: Tuition-Free Engineering & Pharmacy DegreesScheme StatusScheme Status

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The West Bengal Freeship Scheme (WBFS) was introduced in 2011 by the Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal. The scheme is aimed at providing financial support to meritorious students pursuing Undergraduate programs in Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy, and Architecture from self-financing private institutions in West Bengal. This initiative ensures that financial constraints do not hinder students from accessing quality technical education.

Under this scheme, the tuition fee is waived for eligible students, but they are required to bear all other academic expenses.

Benefits of the Scheme

  • Complete waiver of tuition fees for eligible students.
  • Encourages higher education among students from economically weaker backgrounds.
  • Reduces the financial burden on families by covering a significant portion of educational expenses.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the West Bengal Freeship Scheme, applicants must meet the following conditions:

  1. Domicile Requirement:

    • The candidate must be a permanent resident of West Bengal.

  2. Educational Requirement:

    • The applicant must have secured a valid merit rank in a State Level or National Level Entrance Examination.

  3. Income Limit:

    • The annual family income should not exceed ₹2,50,000.

Exclusions

  • Candidates selected under the Tuition Free Waiver (TFW) Scheme of AICTE.
  • Beneficiaries of the West Bengal Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship Scheme.

Application Process

Online Application Steps

Eligible students can apply for WBFS through the official portal by following these steps:

Step 1: Registration

  1. Visit the West Bengal Freeship Scheme portal: WBFS Official Website
  2. Click on “How to Apply” in the menu.
  3. Read the instructions carefully, agree to the terms, and click “Proceed for Registration”.
  4. Fill out the registration form and submit it.
  5. Set and confirm a password.
  6. An OTP will be sent to the registered mobile number for authentication.
  7. After successful OTP verification, the WBFS registration process will be completed.
  8. An Applicant ID will be generated and sent to the registered email ID.

Step 2: Application Submission

  1. Log in using your Applicant ID and password.
  2. Complete the Basic Details section and save the information.
  3. Fill in Personal Details and upload the required documents.
  4. Click on Final Submit to complete the application process.

Note: Once submitted, the application cannot be modified.

Required Documents

Students must upload the following documents in PDF format (Max 400KB per document):

  1. Passport-size photograph (JPG format, 20KB-50KB).
  2. Scanned signature (JPG format, 10KB-20KB).
  3. 10+2 Marksheet.
  4. Merit Rank Card (from the entrance examination).
  5. Domicile Certificate (issued by a competent authority).
  6. Income Certificate (issued by a government official).

Competent Authorities for Document Verification

  • Domicile Certificate: Issued by District Magistrate, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Block Development Officer (BDO), Police Commissioners, or other authorized officers.
  • Income Certificate: Issued by Group A officers of the State Government.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the West Bengal Freeship Scheme?
A: The WBFS provides a full tuition fee waiver for economically weaker students pursuing Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy, and Architecture courses.

Q: Who is eligible for this scheme?
A: Students who are domiciled in West Bengal, have a valid State/National level entrance exam rank, and an annual family income of ₹2,50,000 or less.

Q: Can students from private Engineering colleges apply?
A: Yes, the scheme is available for students enrolled in self-financed private engineering and technical institutions in West Bengal.

Q: Can I apply if I already receive the AICTE Tuition Fee Waiver (TFW) Scheme?
A: No, students receiving TFW or the Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship are not eligible for this scheme.

Q: What expenses are covered under this scheme?
A: Only the tuition fee is waived; students need to bear all other educational expenses.

Q: How can I apply for the West Bengal Freeship Scheme?
A: Apply online through the WBFS portal by filling in details, uploading required documents, and submitting the application.

Q: Can I modify my application after submission?
A: No, once the application is finally submitted, modifications are not allowed.

Sources and References

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