State Government Scholarships for Classes 6 to 8: Education is the cornerstone of a prosperous society, and ensuring that every child receives a quality education is a priority for governments around the world. In India, state governments have implemented a variety of scholarship programs to support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. These scholarships aim to reduce dropout rates and encourage students to continue their education.
Importance of Scholarships for Middle School Students
Middle school is a crucial contribution to a student’s academic journey. However, financial constraints often hinder a student’s ability to continue their studies. State government scholarships play a vital role in providing financial support to deserving students, ensuring that they can continue their education without any hindrances.
Major State Government Scholarships for Class 6 to 8 Students
Central Government Scholarships for Class 6 to 8 Students: Education is a fundamental right, and the Government of India has implemented several scholarship schemes to ensure that students from economically weaker sections and minority communities receive quality education. These scholarships aim to reduce the financial burden on families and encourage students to continue their education.
Central Government Scholarships for Class 6 to 8
Some of the major scholarships available for Class 6 to 8 students are as follows:
Central Government Scholarships for Class 6 to 8 Students
1. National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS)
The NMMS scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker sections to prevent them from dropping out of school.
Eligibility
For Fresh Applications
The parental income of the applicant should not exceed Rs.3,50,000 per annum from all sources.
The applicant must be a regular student entering Class 9 in a government, government-aided, or local body school.
A separate selection test is conducted by the State/UT governments, and students need at least 55% marks in Class 7 (50% for SC/ST) to appear in the test during Class 8.
The selection test includes two papers: Mental Ability Test (MAT) and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), each with 90 multiple-choice questions.
Selection Criteria for Scholarship Award
Students must pass both MAT and SAT with a minimum of 40% aggregate marks (32% for SC/ST candidates).
At the time of selection, students must have secured at least 55% in Class 8 (50% for SC/ST).
Awardees must meet all eligibility conditions set by the scheme and continue studies in approved courses.
Scholarships follow State/UT reservation norms, and students can avail of only one central government scholarship at a time.
Conditions for Scholarship Continuation
Students must maintain good conduct, attend school regularly, and pursue full-time studies.
If a student leaves their course within one month of admission, they will forfeit the scholarship.
Any scholarship claim must be submitted within 12 months of the academic session; no arrears will be entertained after that.
A scholarship will be discontinued if a student takes a gap of one academic session, and it cannot be revived.
Renewal Application Criteria
To continue the scholarship in higher classes, students must secure a minimum of 60% in Class 10 (55% for SC/ST).
Clear promotion from Class 8 to 9, Class 9 to 10, and Class 11 to 12 in the first attempt is mandatory.
The scholarship is granted for a maximum of four years (Classes 9 to 12) and is valid only for studies within India.
If an institution does not conduct exams in Class 9 or 11, a certificate from the Head of the Institution is required to continue the scholarship.
Age Limit
Age group of class 7th and 8th
Scholarship Categories
All Students
Documents Required
Class 7th mark sheet (only from government schools) (compulsory)
No. The entire application process is completely free of cost.
Central Government Scholarships for Class 6 to 8 Students
Scholarship Amount and Benefits
Under this scheme, 1,00,000 new scholarships are awarded every year at the rate of Rs. 12,000/- (Normally Rs. 1,000 per month) at Class IX level for children studying up to Class XII.
The funds will be sanctioned from the annual budget provision for release to SBI, the implementing bank for the scheme of scholarship distribution, the amount will be transferred directly to the students in their bank accounts by online service through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
The awardees will be required to open bank accounts preferably in SBI, any public sector bank or any scheduled bank having core banking facility.
Exclusions
Exclusion of Kendriya Vidyalaya and Navodaya Vidyalaya Students Students studying in Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) are not eligible for scholarships under this scheme. This exclusion is due to the fact that these institutions already receive government support. As a result, students from these schools cannot apply for financial assistance under this scholarship program. The scheme is intended for students studying in other eligible institutions.
Ineligibility of Residential and Private School Students Students studying in residential schools run by Central or State Government institutions are also not eligible for the scholarship. These schools already provide essential facilities like boarding, lodging, and education, reducing the need for additional financial aid. Similarly, students studying in private schools cannot avail of this scholarship. The scheme is primarily meant for students who do not have access to fully funded residential education.
No Scholarship for Studying Abroad The scholarship scheme does not cover students who wish to pursue their education abroad. Regardless of the course or institution, financial aid under this scheme is restricted to students studying within the country. This ensures that government resources are utilized to support students within the national education system. Those planning to study overseas must explore alternative funding options.
Exclusion of Diploma and Certificate Courses Scholarships under this scheme are not provided for students enrolling in diploma or certificate-level courses. The financial support is meant for students pursuing recognized degree programs or equivalent studies. This policy aims to focus resources on long-term educational qualifications that contribute to career growth. Students interested in diploma or certificate programs must seek other financial assistance options.
