Summary: Scholarships for engineering students make their journey far less financially challenging. Through proper knowledge of various types of scholarships, eligibility criteria and deadlines, they can secure up to 100% scholarship coverage. This blog provides information regarding the various types of scholarships, eligibility criteria, details about government, private and university-specific scholarships, and Sharda University's scholarships, application steps, and more.

Key Takeaways

  • Engineering scholarships may be offered on the basis of academic merit, financial need, entrance exam scores, category, or sports achievements.
  • Students can explore scholarship opportunities provided by government bodies, private organisations, and universities.
  • Eligibility criteria may vary depending on academic performance, family income, domicile, admission status, and other conditions.
  • Applicants should carefully check the deadline, required documents, scholarship benefits, and renewal conditions before applying.
  • Sharda University offers various scholarship opportunities for eligible engineering students under its prevailing scholarship policy.
  • Students should follow the correct application steps to avoid errors and improve their chances of securing a scholarship.

Did you know that India produces 1.5 million engineers each year? Yes, it's a very big number and indicates the rising interest of India's youth in technology. But as we speak of the positive aspect of engineering, we also need to talk about the challenges, which is nothing but the course expense.

Most Indian students choose B. Tech after 12th with the hope of entering the fastest-growing tech industry and securing good-paying jobs. However, they often feel frustrated paying the high course fees.

This situation can become a lot better if engineering students educate themselves enough about the various scholarships provided by the government, private companies and universities - all three based on various levels of eligibility.

If you are a student, thinking of enrolling in engineering, skipping this blog is not an option. Here, you will get to know about the types of scholarships that are available, what amount they cover, procedures, deadlines, and almost everything. So, read this blog till the end and start your engineering journey with zero financial stress.

Types of Scholarships for Engineering Students

You may have done some research here and there and found somewhere written, "Scholarships for engineering students are a myth. Only those students get scholarships who rank in the top 10 in JEE mains." Relax, all of this is a myth, and the reality is not so harsh. Here's how scholarships are given.

  1. Merit-Based Scholarships - Awarded to students with strong academic performance in board examinations or college studies.
  2. Need-Based Scholarships - Offered to students who require financial assistance based on their family income.
  3. Entrance Exam-Based Scholarships - Provided according to scores or ranks secured in examinations such as JEE Main, JEE Advanced, or university entrance tests.
  4. Category-Based Scholarships - Available for eligible students belonging to SC, ST, OBC, minority, or other specified categories.
  5. Scholarships for Female Engineering Students - Designed to encourage more women to pursue engineering and technology programmes.
  6. Sports Scholarships - Awarded to students who have represented their school, state, or country in recognised sporting events.
  7. Disability-Based Scholarships - Offered to eligible students with disabilities to support their higher education.
  8. Defence and Armed Forces Scholarships - Available for eligible wards of serving personnel, veterans, martyrs, or other defence-related categories.

Eligibility Criteria

Okay, so you are aware of the types of scholarships now, and you may also know which one you fit for. Now, let's understand the eligibility criteria, as this is where students are filtered.

Scholarship Type Common Eligibility Criteria Typical Coverage
Merit-Based Scholarships Students generally need at least 75%-80% marks in Class 12 or a strong CGPA during college. Higher-value scholarships may require a grade of 90%-95% or above. Usually covers 25% to 100% of tuition fees, depending on academic performance.
Need-Based Scholarships Applicants must demonstrate financial need. The annual family-income limit commonly ranges from ₹2 lakh to ₹8 lakh, depending on the scheme. May cover partial or full tuition fees, along with maintenance, books, hostel, or other educational expenses.
Entrance Exam-Based Scholarships Awarded according to ranks or scores in examinations such as JEE Main, JEE Advanced, state engineering entrance tests, or university-level examinations. Generally provides a 10% to 100% tuition-fee waiver, depending on the rank or score secured.
Category-Based Scholarships Available to eligible students belonging to SC, ST, OBC, minority, EWS, or other specified categories. Applicants must submit valid category and income certificates. May include tuition-fee reimbursement, maintenance allowance, hostel support, and other compulsory academic expenses.
Scholarships for Female Engineering Students Female students must be admitted to a recognised engineering or technical programme. Many schemes prescribe an annual family-income limit of up to ₹8 lakh. Usually provides annual financial assistance of around ₹30,000 to ₹50,000, or partial tuition-fee support.
Sports Scholarships Students must have participated in or won recognised sporting events at the district, state, national, or international level. Valid achievement certificates are required. Typically offers a 10% to 100% tuition-fee waiver, depending on the level of achievement.
Disability-Based Scholarships Applicants usually need a certified disability of at least 40% and must meet the academic and income conditions specified by the provider. May cover tuition fees, maintenance allowance, assistive devices, books, and other educational expenses.
Defence and Armed Forces Scholarships Available to eligible wards or widows of serving personnel, veterans, martyrs, gallantry award recipients, or other defence-related categories. Some schemes require at least 60% marks in the qualifying examination. May provide a fixed monthly or annual allowance, partial tuition-fee support, or a complete fee waiver under selected schemes.

Note: The eligibility criteria mentioned above are indicative and may vary across scholarship providers. In some cases, the requirements may be revised or relaxed based on factors such as academic performance, family income, social category, entrance examination rank, domicile, course, institution, availability of funds, and the provider's scholarship policy.

Government Scholarships

An engineering student in India can get scholarships in three ways: 1) through government schemes, 2) through private schemes, and 3) through university-specific schemes. In this blog, we will be covering all three.

Knowing about all these three schemes will increase your chances of actually getting a scholarship significantly. That being said, here's a list of Government scholarships for engineering students:

  1. Central Sector Scholarship - Students who score above 80% in Class 12 and meet the prescribed family-income criteria may receive financial assistance ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000 per year.
  2. AICTE Pragati Scholarship - This scholarship supports female students enrolled in AICTE-approved technical institutions. Eligible candidates can receive ₹50,000 per year towards their educational expenses.
  3. AICTE Saksham Scholarship - Designed for students with a disability of 40% or more, this scheme provides financial support of ₹50,000 per year for technical education.
  4. INSPIRE Scholarship - Students ranking among the top 1% in their Class 12 board examinations may receive financial assistance of up to ₹80,000 per year for eligible science-based programmes.
  5. Scholarships Through NSP - The National Scholarship Portal provides access to various central, state, category-based, and minority scholarships. Eligibility requirements and financial benefits vary according to the selected scheme.

Private Scholarships

Apart from government bodies, there are some reputed private organisations as well that provide scholarships for B.Tech students.

  1. Bharti Airtel Scholarship - Offers full tuition support to eligible students pursuing selected engineering and technology programmes.
  2. IDFC FIRST Bank Engineering Scholarship - Provides financial assistance of up to ₹1 lakh per year to engineering students from low-income families.
  3. Kotak Kanya Scholarship - Supports meritorious female students pursuing professional courses, including engineering, with up to ₹1.5 lakh annually.
  4. Aditya Birla Scholarship - Awards ₹1.5 lakh per year to outstanding students studying at selected IITs and BITS Pilani campuses.
  5. Foundation for Excellence Scholarship - Supports academically strong B.E. and B.Tech. students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
  6. Reliance Foundation Scholarship - Provides eligible undergraduate students with financial assistance of up to ₹2 lakh during their degree.

University Specific Scholarships

University-specific scholarship for engineering students means that the financial aid will be provided based on university-specific guidelines and policies. Let's understand this with an example. Suppose you applied to study B.Tech at University XYZ that provides 90% scholarship to students who have previously worked on a good tech project. If you fulfil this criteria you can avail it. However, this same scheme may not be available to other universities.

So, when you apply to colleges, go through their scholarship page very carefully.

Scholarships Available at Sharda University

If you are considering Sharda University for your B.Tech, then it's good news because Sharda has a long list of scholarships available.

Scholarship Eligibility Coverage
B.Tech Merit Scholarship Based on Class 12 PCM/PCB marks or JEE Main rank 5% to 100% tuition-fee waiver
CUET Scholarship Minimum 70 percentile in CUET 10% to 100% tuition-fee waiver
Board Topper Scholarship Top 20 rankers of recognised central or state boards 100% tuition-fee waiver for the first year
Sports Scholarship State- or national-level sports achievements 10% to 100% tuition-fee waiver for the first year
Innovation Scholarship Students presenting promising and innovative ideas Up to 100% scholarship
Cultural Scholarship Achievements in music, dance, theatre, literature or fine arts Up to 100% scholarship
Defence Scholarship Wards of serving or retired defence and paramilitary personnel 5% tuition-fee waiver for the first year
Social Service and Bravery Scholarship Achievements in NSS, NCC, bravery, Scouts and Guides, research or Olympiads 5% tuition-fee waiver
Sibling Scholarship A sibling must already be studying at Sharda University 5% tuition-fee waiver for the first year
Financial Assistance Family income up to ₹5 lakh or eligible special categories 5% tuition-fee waiver for the first year
Mission Shakti Scholarship Female students applying to Sharda University 50% waiver on the admission fee

How to Apply for Engineering Scholarships At Sharda?

Step 1: Apply for B.Tech through Sharda University's official website

Step 2: Appear for the SUAT entrance exam if applicable

Step 3: Check your eligibility for scholarships. You can also ask your counsellor; they will be able to guide you better.

Step 4: Gather all the documents needed to avail the scholarship. It usually includes income certificates, marksheets, scorecards, and other specific documents required by the admission cell.

Step 5: Wait for Approval

Step 6: Once approved, finalise admission.

FAQs

Can a student take an education loan along with a scholarship?

Generally, yes. However, students should check the terms of both the scholarship provider and the lender before applying.

Do scholarships cover expenses other than tuition fees?

It depends on the individual coverage policy of the scholarship. It is advisable to check on the official portal.

Can students apply for scholarships after starting their engineering course?

Most scholarships for engineering students apply to first-year students. So, it is better to apply for it at the time of admission.

How long does it take for the scholarship amount to be disbursed?

There is no fixed timeline. The amount is generally released after document verification, approval, and final selection, which may take several weeks.

Is the scholarship amount paid to the student or directly to the university?

It depends on the scheme. Some amounts are credited directly to the student's bank account, while tuition-related payments may be sent to the institution.