Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa 2024

Introduction

It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs that provides scholarships to eligible ST students studying in Classes IX and X.

The Directorate of Tribal Welfare, situated on the 5th Floor of Shrama Shakti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji-Goa, plays a pivotal role in implementing various scholarship programs for Scheduled Tribe (ST) students. One of the key initiatives is the Centrally Sponsored Scheme that encompasses Pre-Matric (Std. IX and X) and Post-Matric Scholarships. Let’s delve into the details of these programs and the recent developments in the application process.

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Objective of Pre-Matric (Std. IX and X) and Post-Matric Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa

To assist ST children in classes IX and X so that the incidence of dropout is reduced, particularly during the transition from elementary to secondary school, and ST students have a better chance of progressing to the post-matric stage of education.

Scholarships under the Scheme will be available to ST students for studies in India and will be transferred directly to the student’s account. The scholarship will be given by the government of the applicant’s state/union territory.

Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa

Under the dynamic leadership of the Directorate of Tribal Welfare, Goa, two significant scholarship programs are being executed. The Pre-Matric Scholarship caters to students in Std. IX and X, while the Post-Matric Scholarship is designed exclusively for ST students. The application process for both these schemes is facilitated through the National Scholarship Portal (https://scholarships.gov.in).

Eligibility Criteria for Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa

The applicant student must be a member of a Scheduled Tribe in relation to the State/Union Territory to which he or she actually belongs (Domicile State).
The student must be enrolled in a government school or a school recognised by the government or a Central/State Board of Secondary Education.
The student’s total annual family income should not exceed Rs. 2.5 lakh.
The student must have a valid account in a Scheduled Bank that is linked to Aadhaar and a mobile number.
The student should not be receiving any other scholarships.
Scholarships for any class will be available for one year only. If a student has to repeat a class, he or she will not be eligible for a scholarship for the same class twice.
When the student is promoted, he or she can renew the scholarship for the next class.

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Timelines for Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa 2023-24

For the ongoing academic year (2023-24), the Directorate of Tribal Welfare has extended the timelines on the National Scholarship Portal.

Applicants must take note of the crucial dates for Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa:

Last date for application submission: 31 January, 2024
INO Level Verification deadline: 15 February, 2024
District Level Verification deadline: 1 March, 2024

These dates are imperative for a smooth application process and to ensure timely verification.

INCOME CRITERIA FOR Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa

The applicant student’s total family income should not exceed Rs.2,50,000/- (Rs. two lakh fifty thousand) per year.

The family income shall be calculated as follows:

If both the father and mother work, the combined income of both of them from all sources must be considered when calculating total family income.
If any other member of the family, other than the father and mother, earns money, his or her earnings are not included in calculating total family income.
If only one parent is alive, the income of that parent must be considered when calculating total family income. If any other sibling or family member earns money, their earnings are not counted towards the total family income.
Income criteria do not apply to orphans who are supported by a guardian.

Essential Documents Require for Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa

Students must carefully navigate the State/ NSP portal for the required documents to be uploaded with the application form, as specified in clause 3 of the guidelines.

Aadhar Card
Domicile Certificate
ST certificate issued by a State authority.
Certificate of Family Income.
A certificate of disability.
Scan of a passport-sized photograph

Major Decisions by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs

In a landmark decision, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, New Delhi, has introduced several measures to streamline the scholarship application process on the NSP portal, effective from the academic year 2023-24.

The key decisions include:

Aadhar as a mandatory requirement: All applicants must provide their Aadhar details. For minor applicants without Aadhar, parents or legal guardians must furnish their Aadhar information.
Bio-metric authentication and eKYC: From 2024-25 onwards, bio-metric authentication and eKYC will be mandatory. However, to ensure a smooth transition, OTP-based authentication will be permitted for the academic year 2023-24.
Aadhar Payment Bridge (APB) system: All scholarship payments will be processed through the Aadhar Payment Bridge system. Students need to link their bank accounts with their Aadhaar numbers for seamless transactions.
eKYC by Institute Nodal Officers: Head of Institute or Institute Nodal Officers will play a crucial role in verifying applications through bio-metric or face-authentication using their NSP logins.

Transition Period for Aadhar Authentication

To facilitate a smooth transition, students applying for scholarships in the academic year 2023-24 can utilize OTP-based authentication. It is mandatory for students to link their active/operative mobile numbers to their Aadhar for registration purposes on the NSP.

How do I apply for a Pre-Matric Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa:?

Students can apply for fresh or renewal scholarships under these schemes through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) at www.scholarships.gov.in.

The application procedures for scholarship schemes for both fresh and renewal are as follows:

Fresh: On the home page of the National Scholarships Portal, students must select “Student Login.”Fill out the application according to the system’s instructions, then click the save button.

The student will receive a “Temporary ID” after saving. The system will prompt the applicant to enter his or her Temporary ID number and date of birth in order to fill out the remaining fields.Once registration is complete, a Permanent Registration ID is generated, which can be used for Renewal and tracking the status of the application.

Renewing: Renewing Students must apply using their Application Id and Date of Birth from the previous year. Students can also use Forgot Application ID to recover their ID. Only students who received scholarship payments from NSP 1.0 the previous year would be able to Renew.

Check More Details Here –

GUIDELINES PRE-MATRIC SCHOLARSHIP FOR SCHEDULED TRIBE STUDENTS STUDYING IN CLASSES IX &X

Can I apply for Fresh if I am a Renewal candidate?

No, it does not. If you are a renewal candidate, you cannot apply as a fresh candidate; your application will be rejected.

Also check – Manohar Parrikar Goa Scholarship Scheme for academic year 2023-24

Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa Payment process

A significant shift in the scholarship payment process involves making all payments through the Aadhar Payment Bridge (APB) system. Students are required to seed their bank accounts with their Aadhaar numbers to receive scholarship funds.

In addition, the responsibility of eKYC verification lies with the Head of Institute or Institute Nodal Officer, ensuring the authenticity of applications from their NSP logins.

In conclusion, Dasharath M. Redkar, the Director of Tribal Welfare in Panaji-Goa, reiterates the importance of Aadhar in the application process. This strategic move aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the scholarship system, ultimately benefiting ST students pursuing education.

Conclusion

The recent developments in the scholarship application process underscore the commitment of the Directorate of Tribal Welfare and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to enhance transparency and efficiency. The mandatory use of Aadhar, implementation of bio-metric authentication, and the Aadhar Payment Bridge system herald a new era in scholarship disbursement. These changes aim to benefit ST students and ensure the seamless flow of financial assistance for their education.

Frequently Asked Questions on Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa

Check More FAQ details Here

Is Aadhar mandatory for all scholarship applicants?

Yes, Aadhar is mandatory for all applicants. For minor applicants without Aadhar, parents or legal guardians must provide Aadhar details.

Who are eligible to apply for Scholarship Schemes?

Students belonging to Scheduled Tribes community in the State of Goa and fulfilling the scheme guidelines of Ministry of Tribal Affairs are eligible to applyof these Scholarship.

What is the deadline for Scholarship Programs for ST Students in Goa application submission for the current academic year (2023-24)?

The last date for application submission is 31 January, 2024.

Can students use OTP-based authentication for the academic year 2023-24?

Yes, OTP-based authentication is permitted for the transition period in the academic year 2023-24.

How can students link their mobile numbers to Aadhar for registration on NSP?

Students need to link their active/operative mobile numbers to their Aadhar for receiving OTP during the registration process on the National Scholarship Portal.

Who is responsible for eKYC verification in the scholarship application process?

Head of Institute or Institute Nodal Officers have the responsibility of performing eKYC (bio-metric/face-auth) to verify applications from their NSP logins.