Loans grants and scholarships on offer for students with special needs to pursue higher education

Updated on: Monday, August 05, 2013

Students with special needs studying at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) have a reason to smile. A range of loans, grants and scholarships are going to be on offer for students to pursue higher education.

"These scholarships are of two types and are only meant for students who have 40% disability under the government norms. Students with special needs are often neglected and are not able to enrol for higher education courses because they don't get any financial help. Through these scholarships, they will be given equal opportunity and a chance to pursue their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Ignou," says Sanjay Kant Prasad, deputy director, National Centre for Disability Studies, Ignou.

These scholarships are funded by National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation (NHFDC). Financial assistance is given in the form of a loan and a grant. "Students will benefit from this loan and it will be given according to the course they choose to study — graduate, postgraduate and professional courses, etc. The rate of interest would be 4% per annum with woman students getting a rebate of 0.5% on the interest rate. The loan has to be repaid within seven years after commencement of the repayment," he adds.

Funding is available for courses in manufacturing/production in plate making, jute industry, detergent and soaps, silver ware, brass article, bags, oil mill, etc; trading/sales, agricultural and allied sectors, transport, etc. Besides, loans are also available for self-employment , young professionals and for the purchase of aids and appliances , etc. Students who are of 18 years and above, with 40% or more as disability, can apply for this scheme.

Talking about the grant, Prasad informs that it would be available to people from the age of 15-50 years for 12 months. "Participants would be paid a stipend of Rs 2,000 per month in courses such as carpentry, mobile repairing , auto CAD design software, among other course choices," he concludes.

SCHOLARSHIPS: AT A GLANCE

Trust Fund (NHFDC)

1,500 scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and technical courses Monthly income of parent should not be more than Rs 3 lakh per annum

National Fund (NHFDC)

500 scholarships for students with special needs to pursue higher education Monthly income of parent should not be more than Rs 1.80 lakh per annum www.nhfdc.com

Loans grants and scholarships on offer for students with special needs to pursue higher education

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