Vidyasiri Scholarship 2024 - Portal, Status and Last Date

About Vidyasiri Scholarship:

Also known as the VFAS scheme, the Vidyasiri-Food and Accommodation Scholarship is a financial assistance program by the Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka. This scheme is designed for Karnataka students from backward classes pursuing post-matric courses. 

The primary aim behind launching the vidyasiri scholarship is to alleviate financial burdens by providing these students with a monthly stipend throughout their studies. The scholarship ensures that deserving candidates receive the necessary financial support and can embark on their educational journey.

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Eligibility Criteria for Scholarship: 

The department has laid down specific requirements that all interested candidates must fulfil before applying for this scheme. The eligibility criteria for the vidyasiri scholarship are as follows:

1. Citizen of India.
2. Permanent resident of Karnataka.
3. The student’s caste should be included in the list of other Backward Classes as notified by the Government of India or the State Government.
4. Enrollment in post-matric courses in government/local institutions/aided institutions/non-aided recognised private institutions affiliated to the statutory universities of Karnataka.
5. Gross Annual Income to be under Rs. 2.50 lakh for students of Category-I and Rs. 1 lakh for students of Category-2A, 3A, and 3B.
6. Applicants must be from rural areas, and their place of study/college/institution must be at least 5 km away. However, urban area students can also apply if they are studying in a city or town other than the place of their residence. 
7. Minimum marks required in the previous year's annual examination for fresh and renewal applicants are mentioned below.
8. Minimum 75% attendance. (Check the latest guidelines for any changes.)

Note: Students unable to attend the examination for medical reasons should submit a medical certificate certified by the Medical Board.

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Non-Eligible Students for Scholarship:

Knowing which students are not covered under this scheme is equally imperative. The same is enumerated as follows:

1. Students pursuing equivalent courses more than once are not eligible; for example- Pursuing B. Com after B.A. (English), LLB after B.Ed. and so on.
2. Students pursuing postgraduate medical courses while practicing medicine are not eligible.
3. Students who have changed courses more than once are not eligible.
4. More than two male members of the same family are not eligible. However, this restriction does not apply to female members.

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Benefits of Scholarship:

All successful applicants of the vidyasiri scholarship will get a stipend of Rs. 1500/- per month for 10 months. Thus, a total of Rs. 15,000/- per annum is granted under this scheme. Students must note that these benefits are subjected to other provisions, as detailed below.

• The grants available in the respective academic year are usually reallocated as per the following category reservation.

• Apart from this reservation system, if funds are subjected to availability, the grants are then given on the Merit (qualification) cum Means basis.

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Selection Criteria for Vidyasiri Scholarship: 

To initiate the selection process, students should first look for the vidyasiri scholarship 2024 apply online option at any browser, preferably from a computer. The rest of the selection process steps are as follows:

1. Check eligibility as per the latest announcement.
2. Apply along with the prescribed documents and bank account information online and offline. The hard copy is to be sent to the concerned college.
3. The principals of the college and other Inspection Officers review applications and documents.
4. Upon receiving online confirmation, documents must be submitted to the Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officers.
5. The Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer and the District Backward Classes Welfare Officer will check the same.
6. A certificate of 75% attendance should be obtained from the college authorities and be submitted to the Taluk Backward Classes welfare Officers online for the final selection.

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Application Process of Scholarship: 

Those looking for an answer to how to apply for vidyasiri scholarship can refer to the following guide.

1. Visit the official website at https://bcwd.karnataka.gov.in/. Scroll down a bit to find the ‘Services and Schemes’ column. A drop-down menu will give several options; you must click on Scholarships and then Post-Matric Scholarship/ Vidyasiri.
2. However, to apply for the scholarship, go to the homepage and click on the ‘For Students’ Use column. Click on Online and Offline Application. Alternatively, you can also visit the application portal at https://bcwd.karnataka.gov.in/new-page/PostMatric%20Scholarship%20Application/en.
3. Next, you will see an option ‘Click here to Apply’ alongside ‘Online Application’. You can choose from the two languages, English and Kannada, from the option available at the topmost right corner of the landing page.
4. Existing students should click on the right-side column to log into the portal. However, new applicants should click on the left-side column that says, “Click here to create a new account”.
5. Submit details like Aadhar Number, Gender, and Captcha. Read the terms written at the end of the page’ tick off the box, and then click on Proceed to get your registered ID and login credentials.
6. use the ID and password obtained to log into the SSP (Student Scholarship Portal) as mentioned in step 4. Submit mandatory personal and academic details in the application form upon successful login.
7. Upload the necessary documents, such as caste certificate, income certificate, Aadhaar card, bank account details, and mark sheets. After submitting your application online, take out a print of the same and submit it to your college along with all the documents.
8. The concerned Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer and the District Backward Classes Welfare Officer will do verifications. 
9. Upon online confirmation (check application status by logging into the portal again) from the officers, submit the 75% attendance certificate issued by the college authorities to the Taluk Backward Classes Welfare Officer.
10. Wait for the final confirmation; your grant will be disbursed soon.

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Documents Required for Scholarship: 

Other than the enlisted documents, students must ensure that they link their Aadhar number to their bank account to obtain funds for the Vidyasiri scholarship.

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Renewal of the Scholarship: 

As discussed before, students willing to renew their scholarships must fulfil the eligibility criteria of attendance, minimum marks, etc. The rest of the process for renewing the grant under this scheme is more or less like the application process, except that students must click on the Renew Application option instead of the Fresh Application option while applying for a renewal.

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Important Dates:

As per the official website, the vidyasiri scholarship last date was 15.01.2024 and further applications are closed. However, students must check with the website or the helpdesk for extensions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who is eligible to apply for the Vidyasiri Scholarship?

Karnataka-based post-matric students from recognised backward classes securing 75% attendance and prescribed minimum marks falling under the set income limit can apply for the vidyasiri scholarship.

Are students changing their course of study eligible for the Vidyasiri Scholarship?

Students changing their course of study even after completing one or more levels will no longer hold eligibility for this scholarship. 

Can more than two siblings from the same family apply under this scheme?

Only two boys in the same family can get a grant under this scheme. However, this scholarship has no restriction on the number of girls in the same family.

How will the grant be transferred to me?

Applicants must share their banking details like account number, branch, IFSC, etc., while submitting their vidyasiri scholarship. Thus, the benefits of this grant will be credited to the student’s bank account upon successful application.

Note: Students seeking finance assistance from mediums other than vidyasiri scholarship 2024 apply online can contact Propelld for accessible and student-friendly loans.