Scholarship program for Indian Expats

Nearly 100 scholarships are being offered to children of Indian expatriates for undergraduate courses in several disciplines. These include engineering, architecture, technology, humanities, liberal arts, commerce, management (BBA/BBM), journalism, hotel management, agriculture/animal husbandry, science, law, etc.

Launched in 2006-2007, these schemes are available under the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs scheme called the Scholarship Program for Diaspora Children.

The program is open only to persons of Indian origin (PIOs) and non-resident Indians (NRIs) from the specified 40 countries, including Saudi Arabia, having a larger concentration of Indian expatriates. Some of the highlights of the scholarship program include 50 percent of the scholarships are reserved for PIOs. However, in the event of the non-availability of suitable PIO students, the unfilled slots could be assigned to NRI candidates.

NRI candidates are eligible for the grant of the scholarship only if their total family income per month does not exceed an amount equivalent to $ 2,250.

Children of NRIs should have pursued at least three years of education, inclusive of 11th & 12th or equivalent (not beyond), in a foreign country during the last six years, and should have passed the qualifying examination abroad.

PIO/NRI students already studying in India on a self-financing basis or under any other arrangement are not eligible under the scheme.

For further details as well as downloadable application forms, the interest NRIs and PIOs can visit at www.moia.gov.in or www.edcilindia.co.in or calling GOPIO Secretariat at 03-2276 0467.