Scholarship Program

The Foundation offers scholarships to students who have a proven financial need to enable them to pursue their studies at the high school or graduate level. The scholarships are awarded on an annual basis with renewal dependent on continued academic excellence and financial need. Students are selected based on a set of eligibility requirements which are explained below. The requirements are based on approved courses of study, eligible institutions, academic standards and financial need.
The application process is managed by program run by volunteers who are designated as "Coordinators" and "Facilitators". The roles of these volunteers are explained below.
The applicants are pre-qualified by the Facilitators in India. They then work with their Coordinators in the US to discuss the merits of each application before coming to a final decision. The entire process, from application to decision making typically takes 2-4 months.
The scholarship program is available to students from all over India, for studies in India. No discrimination is made on the basis of caste, religion, region and gender for the award of scholarships.
Scholarships are awarded on an annual basis. Renewal of a scholarship is dependent on continued academic excellence and financial need. The scholarship is directly awarded and paid to the student.

The program so far has awarded more than 8,400 scholarships. Students who have graduated with the Foundation scholarships have proven themselves to be highly successful in their careers and personal lives.


Application Process

To apply for a scholarship, the student needs to submit a completed application form to the Foundation's India office. Application forms are available with located in different parts of India. Separate application forms are required for new, first time applicants and for renewal applicants.
Completed application forms sent to the India office by the Facilitators are initially screened there for completeness. They are subsequently reviewed by the US office for a decision. Once an application for a scholarship is approved, the check is sent to the Facilitator in India for distribution to the student.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a scholarship a student must meet five requirements. The requirements are:

• Studies must be undertaken in an approved course and level
  
• Studies must be carried out in an approved educational institution
  
• Student must demonstrate academic excellence
  
• Student must show evidence of financial need
  
• Scholarship strictly covers education related expenses only

The Board periodically reviews these requirements, and changes are implemented prior to the commencement of each academic year.

Approved Courses

To be eligible for a scholarship a student must meet five requirements.
The requirements are:

• High school, pre-university or intermediate college;
  
• Diploma Courses in engineering, technology and other fields;
  
• General degree courses in arts, commerce and science;
  
• Post-graduate courses in the above fields
  
• Professional degree courses in engineering, technology, medicine, law and related fields;
  
• Other courses of study as may be determined and approved from time to time.

Eligible Institutions

Studies must be undertaken in an Indian educational institution approved by the Central Government, State Government or by any other government-approved organization.

Academic Standards
The Foundation has established specific standards for assessing academic excellence based on the course and level of study. A few examples are provided below.

• Students seeking a scholarship for studies in the first year of high school or pre-university or intermediate college should have secured a distinction or higher-level grade in the 10th standard Board examination;
  
  
• Students seeking a scholarship for the first year of a general degree course should have obtained at least 85% marks in the 12th standard or in the final pre-university or intermediate college examinations;
  
  
• Students seeking a scholarship for studies in the first year of a professional degree course should have secured an eligible rank or score in the qualifying examination.
  
  Standards of academic excellence are also prescribed for students when they seek renewal of their scholarships.

Financial Need and Family Background

A student's financial need is assessed on the basis of his/her parent's or guardian's family income. To be eligible for financial assistance, the gross family income should not exceed
Rs. 5,000.00 per month. Preference is given to students who are the first in their families to pursue higher education, and whose parents are in lower occupational status.

Eligible Expenses

The Foundation's financial assistance covers tuition and other mandatory fees payable to the educational institution in which the student is enrolled. If essential, the scholarship will also cover hostel and food expenses, transportation, books, school uniforms and other education related expenses.

Timeline of Activities

The timeline for various activities related to the scholarship program is as follows:

• Enrollment of new coordinators and facilitators: April 30
  
• Announcement of scholarship program: May 31
  
• Last date for applications from students in high school, pre-university and intermediate college: August 31
  
• Last date for applications from students in general degree courses: October 31
  
• Last date for applications from student in professional diploma and degree courses: November 30
  
• Last date for approval of scholarships and disbursement of scholarship checks: March 31.

Coordinators and Facilitators
The Foundation identifies students eligible for scholarship through a network of volunteers called "Coordinators" and "Facilitators". Coordinators are US citizens and "Permanent Residents" of the U.S., preferably resident in the U.S. Facilitators are persons resident in India. About 250 Coordinators and 1,000 Facilitators currently support the Foundation's success.

Role of the Coordinator
A Coordinator needs to be fully familiar with the policies and procedures of the Foundation. Coordinators identify Facilitators that they wish to work with. Once they are approved, Coordinators attend open houses and other meetings to identify and nominate Facilitators. Coordinators also need to maintain liaison with their Facilitators and stay up-to-date with the progress of the students nominated by their Facilitators. Each Coordinator may nominate a limited number of Facilitators, typically not more than four. A Coordinator actively contributes to development and implementation of the Foundation's policies and programs.ore than four. A Coordinator actively contributes to development and implementation of the Foundation's policies and programs.

Role of Facilitator
A Facilitator is identified and certified by a Coordinator. The Facilitator identifies students in India who may be eligible for a scholarship award from the Foundation. Facilitators help a prospective scholar by

• Explaining the Program to prospective scholars, and conducting a primary evaluation of the student's eligibility
  
• Providing an application form, assisting the student in completing the application form
  
• Submitting it to the Foundation and distributing the scholarship check when it is awarded
  
• Helping the student obtain a renewal of the scholarship, &
  
• Mentoring the student towards the successful completion of his/her educational choices

The Facilitator also assists the Foundation by providing information on developments in the education sector in the state or region to which the Facilitator belongs. Each Facilitator is permitted to nominate a specified number of students per year including new, first time and renewal applicants. Facilitators are advised to nominate about 3 to 4 new students each year.

Application Form

Enrollment of Coordinators and Facilitators are available separately. The last dates for submission of enrollment forms are March 31 for coordinators and April 30 for facilitators. Coordinators and facilitators enrolled by these dates will be in a position to submit applications for scholarships on behalf of prospective students for the academic year beginning July 1.