What is Scholarship? Top 12 Scholarships and Websites To Apply?

A scholarship is a type of funding given to students so they can pursue higher education. Several factors are considered when awarding scholarships, including academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic prowess, financial need, research experience, and particular professional background.

Although recipients of scholarships are not obliged to repay the awards, the criteria often mirror the values and objectives of the donor. For example, recipients of athletic scholarships may be expected to participate in a particular activity or maintain a minimum grade point average during the duration of the scholarship.

There are differences in the generosity of scholarships as well; some just pay a portion of the cost of attendance, while others provide a “full ride,” which includes housing, transportation, and instruction.

Top 12 Scholarships in India

Here’s a list of top 12 scholarships in India

GIIS Global Citizen Scholarship

To help eligible students have a taste of college life and a head start on their future studies, the Global Schools Foundation awards the GIIS Global Citizen Scholarship. Excellent students from the area are eligible for this grant. The two-year GSF campus living expenses and educational costs are covered by this GIIS grant. All GIIS campuses offer this grant to students who wish to finish grades 11 and 12. Students in Grades 11 and 12 are not eligible to apply for the Global Citizen Scholarship. Applying for the scholarship requires that the candidate be enrolled in Grade 10. Around ten students have been allowed to apply for the GIIS scholarship each year since its founding in 2009.

National Talent Search Examination (NTSE)

The National Council of Educational Research and Training, generally known as the NCERT, is responsible for administering the National Talent Search Examination, or NTSE. Scientific, engineering, medical, and social science subjects are all included in the test. An annual examination for the scholarship shortlists about a thousand applicants, and the scholarship is awarded until the Doctor of Philosophy, or Ph.D., in scientific and social Sciences programs, is completed. The grant is available to postgraduate students who intend to pursue careers in engineering and medicine, though.

Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)

Established in 1999, the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, or IISc Bengaluru, is in charge of overseeing the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) initiative. Students who aspire to work in scientific research should apply for this prize. Up to the pre-PhD level, financial aid is available to students who are determined to be eligible for this scholarship program. Using an aptitude test, which is administered at several centers in India’s main cities, the pupils are selected for the KVPY program.

Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students

Students from underrepresented groups, such as Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, and Parsis, can apply for scholarships from the Maulana Azad National Fellowship, or MANF. By not utilizing the JRF of UGC-NET or UGC-CSIR NET, this scholarship is available to students from minority communities who wish to pursue studies up to the MPhil/PhD degree in the arts, social sciences, technology, science, and engineering.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Global Skills Scholarship

In the modern world, having a solid understanding of technology is essential. With the aid of technology, digital tools, devices, etc., students may comprehend difficult ideas. The Global Schools Foundation offers the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Global Skills Scholarship. It honors young children’s aptitude in the field of technology and the digital realm. Within this scholarship, there are three categories: A, B, and C. There are many qualifying requirements for each category, which determine whether or not a tuition fee reduction is granted. Tuition fees for categories A, B, and C are discounted by 9%, 6%, and 3%, respectively.

Kind Scholarship for Meritorious Students

Through financial aid, academically talented kids from low-income families can lay the groundwork for their successful academic futures with the support of the Kind Scholarship for Meritorious Kids. This scholarship, which has advantages up to INR 18,000 per year, is open to students in classes 9 through 12 as well as college students. Annually, between August and September, is the application deadline for the Kind Scholarship for Meritorious Students.

CSIR Innovation Award for School Children

For creative young pupils, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, or CSIR, offers the Innovation Award, a scholarship specifically designed for school-age youngsters. Students who submit innovative, creative designs and technology project proposals to develop practical fixes for novel gadgets and procedures are given preference for the scholarship. Students who win the scholarship will not only be eligible to receive cash rewards of up to INR 1 lakh, but they will also have the opportunity to participate in training and awareness sessions led by CSIR officials. The CSIR Innovation Award for School Children, or CIASC, is available to students under the age of eighteen. Cash rewards up to INR 100,000 are among the benefits. Every year in April, applications must be submitted.

Vidyadhan Scholarship

One of the most popular scholarships offered by the Sarojini Damodaran Foundation (SDF) to students who have completed Class 10 is the Vidyadhan Scholarship. After a student completes Class 10, the foundation provides financial scholarships to pupils who demonstrate academic talent. More than 1,500 students from states including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are eligible to apply for the Vidyadhan Scholarship each year. Pupils selected for the Vidyadhan Scholarship are eligible to receive INR 6,000 per year for Class 11 and Class 12. If their family makes less than two lakhs a year, students who receive 90 percent or above in their Class 10 exams are eligible for the award.

Siksha Abhiyan Scholarship

The goal of the Modi Foundation’s scholarship program is to assist economically disadvantaged children in grades 8 through 12. Candidates may apply online for the scholarship on the official website. The top five rank holders will receive cash prizes ranging from INR 8,000 to INR 50,000. Indian citizens are required to apply.

National Scholarship Exam (NSE)

NICE Foundation, the National Institute of Career Education, is the organization that administers the National Scholarship Exam, or NSE. Identifying, nurturing, and assisting all gifted students in identifying their areas of strength and weakness are the goals of the foundation. For students in classes 5 through 12, the scholarship exam is a great method to test their knowledge and win amazing cash rewards. The scholarship exam is open to students in classes 5 through 12, as well as those pursuing diplomas and degrees. Cash awards up to INR 35,000 are among the perks. Apply by August or September to be considered for the scholarship.

Bose-Einstein Scholarship Test

Monthly scholarships are awarded to students who complete the Bose-Einstein Scholarship Test, which is routinely organized by the JMMC Research Foundation. Research-based goods, workshops, and seminars are made available to the enrolled students who score highly on the scholarship exam. Scholarships totaling INR 36,000 per year are available to all students in Class 7 up to graduation. April and May are the deadlines for applications.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards

The Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards are given annually to schoolchildren up to the age of 17 by the National Innovation Foundation, or NIF. Fostering children’s originality and creativity is the aim of the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards. All youngsters should be able to ensure that India has an inventive, inclusive, and creative future, according to the National Innovation Foundation. Award recipients for the scholarships include pupils in grades up to twelve. Aside from financial and mentorship help, the benefits include travel assistance and certificates of appreciation. Annually, August is the deadline for applications to the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Awards.

Websites to apply for Scholarship

Below is the list of websites that will help you to apply for these scholarships

Scholarships.com

With over 2.7 million scholarships totaling over $19 billion in value since its founding in 1999, Scholarships.com is a website that offers information on scholarships. You may easily and for free use Scholarships.com. The initial setup only takes a few minutes. Every few months, listings are continually updated to enable students to learn about the most recent scholarships that might be of interest to them.

Selecting the scholarship categories that most interest and fit you best is possible when you register to become a member of Scholarships.com. Scholarships.com registered customers can also choose not to receive any kind of scholarship from the website. With their educational path, this makes it easier for pupils to sift out those who aren’t fascinating or helpful. Numerous students, both graduate and undergraduate, are eligible for scholarship options.

CollegeNet.com

A service called CollegeNet.com develops web-based events and applications. For students who want to look up updates and recently announced scholarships across the country, it also offers a comprehensive search function. The website offers merit-based and need-based scholarships. CollegeNet.com’s database is updated once a month. After they sign up for an account on the website, they offer them fresh scholarships to go over and vote on. The Wintergreen Orchard House company has a license agreement in place for the website to compile updated data and content on scholarships that are currently available in particular states, across the country, and even abroad.

Members of the community can also cast votes for scholarships they would like to have highlighted or advertised before they go live on the website. The CollegeNet.com users might benefit from the scholarships that garner the most votes. CollegeNet.com offers a live forum that students from throughout the nation can join and engage in daily, in addition to offering a wide variety of scholarships for students to peruse and select from.

Fast Web

Over 15 years have passed since Fast Web’s founding and debut. Over the years of offering scholarships to students across the country, they have amassed more than 1.5 million scholarships and $3.4 billion in their database overall. The website itself states that it has assisted over 50 students in locating and applying for scholarships in total. The fact that Fast Web is completely free to use and register to become a member is another incentive to use it. Based on their interests, students can look for a wide range of scholarships.

Fast Web further promises that it will never share, sell, or otherwise disclose your private or personal information to a business or other third party without first obtaining your consent. One of the top resources for scholarships is FastWeb.com. Because Fast Web updates its databases at least once every 24 hours, it is possible to use it every day. Fast Web is now among the most modern scholarship search engines that can be used. It also distinguishes them from all rivals that are now operating in the market. Using your email address, you must create an account on FastWeb.com. After that, you’ll get regular updates about new scholarships that FastWeb.com has found. Opportunities for scholarships will be presented to you based on your criteria and educational objectives.

The College Board

1900 saw the inaugural founding of the official College Board. It is among the oldest organizations with a strong educational foundation that is still going strong today. These days, The College Board has a vast database containing almost $4 billion in free money. Globally, thousands of different types of college scholarships are either available or have already been given to students. The College Board provides services to over seven million students annually.

Through resources such as the Scholarship Directory and the Scholarship Search, students can establish connections with new sources of college funding. The fundamentals of financial aid, including the many kinds of loans and grants that are available, can also be taught to students. Students will always have access to the most up-to-date scholarship information thanks to frequent updates to the website.

Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae has expanded its reputation beyond just offering a range of student and housing loans; it is now a go-to resource for anyone looking to find new scholarships. Students can identify scholarships that appeal to them and are related to their majors or future career ambitions with their Scholarship Search. Since it started offering resources and opportunities to internet users and students nationally, Sallie Mae has distributed scholarships totaling over $18 billion to millions of students.

It is completely free to use Sallie Mae’s Scholarship Search. Students can create an account by registering online. You can log in and start looking through scholarships as soon as your account has been created and verified. You will be granted instant access to both the scholarship search engine and a calculator for college planning. Some excellent sources of information are guidelines for composing essays for college scholarships and applying for scholarships. Additionally, customers who sign up to become Sallie Mae members online are automatically entered into a monthly drawing for a chance to win more than $1,000. This allows users to start looking for and comparing various scholarships.

Going, Merry

Every student should have equitable access to education, which is the goal of Going Merry. The founders of the website, who came from Carnegie Mellon and Standford, set out to create a simple platform for students to apply for and track scholarships. One of the best reliable websites for scholarships is Going Merry. The team thoroughly examines each scholarship to ensure that it is legitimate. More than 15,000 high schools are served by Going Merry. In contrast to other scholarship websites, Going Merry (most of the time) lets students search for and apply for scholarships. Once a scholarship of interest is located, applicants do not need to surf the internet for applications. Moreover, the service is free. Changing financial aid providers instead of students is how Going Merry earns money.

Scholarship Owl

Scholarship Owl is a cutting-edge website that promises to expedite the process of applying for scholarships. By simultaneously applying for comparable awards, applicants for scholarships can make the most of their time. Scholarship Owl handles the rest after they fill out a simple information template! Then, directly from the Scholarship Owl website, applicants can verify the status of their rewards. This enhances security and lessens stress. Although Scholarship Owl offers free scholarship matching, students can fully utilize all of its features by subscribing to the premium membership program.

Bold.org

As a provider of unique scholarships that aren’t found anywhere else, Bold.org is listed among the top websites for college scholarships. To make the ideal match, they collaborate with donors and students. The assistance is completely free. A free profile that highlights their experiences and achievements is created by students. By monitoring the status on the scholarship dashboard, the website enables students to manage their scholarships all in one location. By applying scholarships straight to tuition without requiring further processes, Bold.org takes care of its award recipients.