Many meritorious students find it challenging to afford their undergraduate education due to the rising costs of college. Hence, different organisations offer scholarship for college students, which can provide financial support to ease this dilemma. 

When students enter college, they face financial issues with tuition and accommodation fees, which can create self-doubt. However, they should always look for specific scholarships for UG students that provide financial aid and motivate them to excel academically. 

Now, when it comes to “Scholarships,” many questions must come to your mind like “Are they genuine?”, “Am I exceptionally talented to apply?” or “What are the eligibility criteria?” So if you are someone who thinks they deserve the best education and wants all your doubts answered clearly, you should read on!

Types of Scholarship for College Students

Scholarship for college students are a type of financial aid provided to support the student in their undergraduate (UG) education. Scholarships for UG students are offered in various types by various sectors, such as the government and the private sector, which are discussed in detail as follows: 

Government Scholarships

Government scholarship for college students make up a substantial part of financial support for undergraduate students. National or state governments fund these scholarships and aim to support students based on different criteria. 

Regarding national or central government scholarships for UG students, programs like NSP (National Scholarship Portal) financially assist undergraduate students from economically weaker sections. Like the central government, many states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Maharashtra also offer scholarships based on merit and need. 

Private Scholarships

Private organisations also offer many scholarships for UG students to help them fund their education. Private companies like HDFC and Infosys provide scholarships for undergraduate students based on specific fields of study. Some scholarships are – 

• Infosys Foundation Leadership Scholarship
• Mahindra and Mahindra Merit Scholarship
• HDFC Educational Crisis Scholarship Scheme

Many NGOs (non-government organisations) sponsor UG students financially, targeting underprivileged communities and ensuring that education reaches every corner of society. 

Special Category Scholarships 

Some scholarships are given to students, while others cater to specific groups of students who may face challenges. Scholarships like the Single Girl Child Scholarship help girls in their higher education. Another scholarship, the Central Sector Umbrella Scheme Scholarship, is given to a person with a disability for their higher education.

Top Scholarship for Undergraduate Students in India

NSP Scholarship Amount for UG Students

The National Scholarships Portal (NSP) is a one-stop solution that allows students to apply for, receive, process, sanction, and disburse many scholarships. It is designated a Mission-Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP). These scholarships range from 15,000 per month for 10 months in a year to 20,000 per month. 

Eligibility: The scholarships available at NSP are for students in the UG degree program. Students who already have a UG degree are not eligible for this. Once you have entered all of your information on the NSP, you can view a list of all the scholarship for college students for which you are eligible.

Application Process: Below are some steps for the NSP application process.

• Login to “Student Login” option on the National Scholarships Portal’s home page. 
• Fill out the application according to the directions provided by the system, then click the Save button. 
• After saving, the learner will receive a “Temporary ID.” The system will prompt the applicant to provide their Temporary ID and date of birth to fill out the remaining information. 
• The applicant can also check the available NSP scholarship amount for UG students.

Oasis Scholarship Amount for UG Students

The Oasis scholarship is specially made for SC/ST/OBC students in West Bengal. This scholarship gives financial aid to eligible candidates pursuing UG courses. The Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, manages all of the work, and this webpage offers state merit scholarship for UG students. You can find all finance-related details in the table given below- 

Scholarship	Amount
Post-matric scholarship (SC/ST Medical/Engg/BSC/MPhil/PhD)	550 INR monthly
Post-Matric (SC/ST B.Pharm/LLB/PG/Hotel Management)	530 INR monthly
Post-Matric (OBC and Medical/Engg/BSC/MPhil/PhD)	350 INR monthly
Post-Matric (OBC B.Pharm/LLB/PG/Hotel Management)	335 INR monthly

HDFC Scholarship for UG Students

HDFC Bank Parivartan’s Educational Crisis Scholarship Support (ECSS) Programme is an HDFC Bank program that assists meritorious and needy students from impoverished backgrounds.

Eligibility: The eligibility of this scheme is as follows:

• Open only to Indian nationals.
• Students must be enrolled in accredited Indian institutions or universities to pursue graduation degrees.
• The applicants must have passed their prior qualifying test with at least 55%.
• Annual household income must be less than or equivalent to INR 2.5 lakhs.
• Preference will be given to candidates who have experienced personal or family difficulties within the last three years.

Benefits: General undergraduate courses cost INR 30,000, whereas professional undergraduate courses cost INR 50,000.

Application Process:

• Login to the HDFC official website with your registered ID and proceed to the ‘Application Form Page’.
• Sign up for HDFC using your email, mobile number, or Google account.
• You will now be sent to the ‘HDFC Bank Parivartan’s ECSS Scholarship Programme 2024-25’ application form page.
• Click the ‘Start Application’ button to start the application process.
• Fill out the needed information on the online application form.
• Upload the appropriate papers and click Submit.

Single Girl Child Scholarship for UG Students

The Single Girl Child Scholarship for UG students is a UGC scholarship initiative that offers financial assistance to single female children in their education. Girls who are the sole offspring of their parents, which means they do not have any brothers or sisters, are eligible to apply for a single female child scholarship.

After checking the qualifying conditions, a student may apply for the scholarship by following the processes outlined below:

• Candidates meeting the scholarship scheme’s qualifying criteria can apply online at the official website.
• To apply for this scholarship, candidates must upload papers, including an affidavit on Rs.50 stamp paper signed by a First Class Magistrate, Gazetted Officer, or SDM through the UGC website.
• Students should print and save a copy of the application to check results, receive award letters, and remain up to current on progress reports.
• The applicant can view the application status.

Key Deadlines and Application Processes

The best way to avoid missing out on this scholarship for college students is to check the deadlines regularly. For example, the UP scholarship’s last date for UG students given by the UP government typically falls in November. Missing these deadlines can result in losing financial aid. 

General Steps to Apply for Scholarships 

To apply for these applications, you must consider the following points: 

• Do proper Research: Search for the Scholarships that match your profile and check their eligibility criteria.
• Register: Create accounts on platforms like NSP or state-specific portals, which can be university portals. 
• Document Preparation: Make sure you have all the required documents, such as identification proofs, academic records, and income certificates, ready. 
• Submit the Application: After registering, fill out the application form, upload documents, and double-check for accuracy. 
• Track the Status: Check the application status on the portal regularly. 

To fill out and check the application status of your scholarship, choose platforms like NSP or state-specific scholarship portals. These are very useful in streamlining the application process and providing updates on the deadline. 

Benefits of Scholarship for College Students

Scholarships assist students with their tuition, textbooks, and other college-related expenditures. Scholarships, however, provide benefits that extend far beyond financial help. Let’s see some of the benefits of getting scholarship for college students.

Better Educational Opportunities

Scholarships enable students to attend their chosen colleges, providing access to top-tier institutions and programs. With substantial grants, they empower students from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers that attract top talent.

Awards and Recognition for Academic Excellence

Scholarships recognize student achievements and provide significant financial support. Often merit-based, they reward academic excellence or exceptional extracurricular success.

Improved Future Job Opportunities

Scholarships connect students with like-minded peers, industry leaders, and potential mentors. Many private organizations award scholarships to nurture the next generation of talent.

Tips to Secure a Scholarship

With a challenging screening procedure and many candidates each year, you’re surely aware of how stiff the competition is for a university scholarship.

However, just because you may encounter some difficulties along the route does not make it an impossible task. You may successfully obtain the scholarship you hoped for with the appropriate technique and helpful hints.

• Understand the scholarship type you want to apply for.
• Discuss with your scholarship counselor to help you choose scholarships that are a good fit.
• List and showcase your academic and non-academic achievements.
• Start to collect letters of recommendation.
• Write your scholarship essay early, and keep refining it.
• Start practising for your scholarship interview.
• Consistently apply for scholarships to increase your chances.
• Create a Professional LinkedIn Profile to Look Professional.

Although essential, these tried-and-true strategies can help you secure your scholarship with ease and confidence.

Your Roadmap to the Best Scholarships! 

Scholarship for college students is not just monetary aid; it allows students to lift the load off their parents’ shoulders and pursue higher education. As we can see, the expense of education is rising, so getting a scholarship allows students to pursue their academic dreams. 

Every kid who excels academically or is a gifted athlete will be awarded a scholarship to help them flourish. For college students with a UG degree, many scholarships are available in 2025 that cater to their needs and background. From government initiatives to private scholarships for UG students, a student only has a brighter future ahead. 

Feeling motivated? Do not wait any longer; check the eligibility of scholarships related to you and fill out their application form now. 

Also Read: How to get scholarship

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)