Post Matric Scholarship for SC Students
Last Updated
July 2026 Fact Checked By: Schemewala Editorial Team
Quick Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC Students |
| Ministry | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Beneficiaries | Scheduled Caste (SC) students studying Class 11 and above |
| Benefit | Full tuition fee reimbursement + Monthly Maintenance Allowance |
| Income Limit | ₹2.5 Lakh per annum |
| Application Portal | NSP / Specific State Portals |
About the Scheme
The Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students is one of the oldest and most impactful centrally sponsored schemes in India. Its goal is to drastically increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of Scheduled Caste students in higher education by ensuring that the poorest households do not have to abandon education after Class 10 due to high college fees.The scheme covers everything from Class 11 and 12 to ITI, Diplomas, Undergraduate degrees, and highly specialized professional post-graduate courses (like Medical and Engineering). The Central Government and State Governments share the cost, but the funds are deposited directly into the student's bank account, ensuring they have the money needed to pay college fees and survive away from home.
Benefits & Financial Assistance
The scheme provides a dual financial benefit, ensuring both the college fees and the student's living expenses are covered:
- Compulsory Non-Refundable Fees: The government reimburses your actual tuition fees, enrollment fees, library fees, and exam fees. This removes the massive burden of college fees from your family.
- Monthly Maintenance Allowance: To help with living expenses, students receive a monthly stipend ranging from ₹230 to ₹1,200 per month, depending on the course group and whether they are a hosteller or a day scholar.
- Extra Benefits: Students with disabilities receive an additional 10% allowance. Some professional courses also include allowances for study tours and thesis typing.
Eligibility Criteria
Who can apply:
- Category: Must belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community.
- Education Level: Must have passed Matriculation (Class 10) and be currently enrolled in a recognized post-matriculation course (Class 11, 12, ITI, Diploma, Degree, PG, or Ph.D.).
- Income Limit: The annual family income from all sources (parents/guardians) must not exceed ₹2.5 Lakh.
- State Availability: Available across all Indian states.
Who CANNOT apply:
- Students whose family income exceeds ₹2.5 lakh.
- Students pursuing their studies through un-recognized private institutes or un-approved distance education courses.
- Students receiving another government scholarship (except merit-based, non-fee-covering awards).
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Valid SC Caste Certificate (Issued by competent authority)
- Income Certificate (Issued by Tehsildar or Revenue Officer)
- Previous Year's Marksheet (Class 10 or latest degree exam)
- Fee Receipt / Admission Proof from the current college
- Aadhaar-linked Bank Account Passbook
How to Apply
Applications for this scheme are handled dynamically depending on your state.Via National Scholarship Portal (NSP):
- Many states use the central portal. Visit scholarships.gov.in.
- Complete your One-Time Registration (OTR).
- Log in, select the Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students, fill the form, upload the Caste and Income certificates, and submit.
Via State Portals: Some states run this exact central scheme through their own state portals to manage local verifications better.
- Maharashtra: Use the MahaDBT portal.
- Odisha: Use the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
- Uttar Pradesh: Use the UP Scholarship Portal. If your state has a dedicated portal, you must apply there instead of the NSP. Check with your college administration.
How to Check Status
- If you applied via the NSP, log in with your OTR ID and click "Track Application".
- If you applied via a State Portal (like MahaDBT), log into that specific portal.
- You must track your application to ensure your College Nodal Officer approves it. If they don't verify it online, the district welfare officer will never receive it, and you won't get the money.
Latest Updates (2026)
- Direct Bank Transfer (DBT): The government has mandated that the central share of the scholarship (which is 60%) will be transferred directly to the student’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account, rather than passing through state treasuries, speeding up the payment process.
- Freeship Card: Many states have introduced a "Freeship Card" feature. Once your eligibility is verified online, you get this digital card. You can show it to your college at admission time, and the college cannot force you to pay tuition fees upfront—they must wait for the scholarship money to arrive.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (Central) | scholarships.gov.in |
| Ministry Info | socialjustice.gov.in |
FAQs
My college is asking me to pay the ₹50,000 fee upfront, but I am applying for this scholarship. What do I do?
If your state offers a "Freeship Card" (available on your scholarship dashboard), download it and present it to your college. Under government guidelines, institutions cannot deny admission or demand upfront tuition fees from eligible SC students holding this card.
Can I get this scholarship if I fail my class and repeat the year?
No. The scholarship is only provided for new academic years. If you fail and have to repeat a year, you will not receive the scholarship for that repeated year.
I am doing a distance education course. Am I eligible?
Yes, but with restrictions. Students pursuing recognized correspondence or distance education courses are eligible for reimbursement of the non-refundable fee, but they are not eligible for the monthly maintenance allowance.
Can two siblings from the same family get this scholarship?
Yes. There is no restriction on the number of children from the same family who can avail of this scholarship, as long as the total family income is below ₹2.5 lakh.
Why is my money coming in two different installments?
The scheme cost is shared between the Centre (60%) and the State (40%). You will often receive the state's share and the central share as two separate DBT transactions in your bank account.
Sources
- National Scholarship Portal
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Conclusion
The Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students is an essential tool for achieving educational equality. By covering both the heavy burden of college tuition and providing a monthly stipend for survival, it ensures that financial hardship does not end a student's academic journey. Ensure you apply as soon as you secure admission, and always verify your application with your college's scholarship clerk to prevent delays.
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