The Central Sector Scheme (CSS) for College and University Students provides financial assistance to meritorious students from low-income families, enabling them to pursue higher education. This article provides a comprehensive guide to this vital scholarship program.
What is the CSS Scholarship?
The CSS scholarship aims to support deserving students by covering a portion of their educational expenses. It is managed through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and annually awards approximately 82,000 scholarships to both male and female students across India.
Key Features of the CSS Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to students from diverse backgrounds, including General, OBC, SC, and ST categories.
- Focus: Supports undergraduate and postgraduate studies in various disciplines.
- Equitable Distribution: Scholarships are distributed evenly between male and female students and across different states based on student population.
- Stream-Based Allocation: Scholarships are allocated to students in Humanities, Science, and Commerce streams in a 3:3:1 ratio.
- Flexibility: Scholarship slots can be interchanged among categories and genders to ensure maximum utilization.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the CSS scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:
- Academic Excellence: Secure a position above the 80th percentile in their respective board examinations (Class XII).
- Full-Time Studies: Be pursuing a regular course in a recognized institution (distance learning programs are not eligible).
- No Other Scholarships: Not be availing benefits from any other scholarship schemes.
- Family Income: Have a family income below Rs. 4.5 lakh per annum.
Scholarship Amount
- Undergraduate (First Three Years): Rs. 12,000 per year
- Undergraduate (Fourth and Fifth Years)/Postgraduate/Professional Courses (B.Tech, etc.): Rs. 20,000 per year
Application Process
- Online Application: All applications must be submitted online through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
- Accurate Information: Ensure all information entered in the application form is accurate and complete.
- Document Upload: Upload necessary documents, including:
- Class XII mark sheet
- Family income certificate
- Category/caste certificate (if applicable)
- Disability certificate (if applicable)
- Document Verification: Institution Nodal Officers will verify the uploaded documents.
Disbursement of Scholarship
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Scholarship amounts are directly transferred to the student’s bank account through the DBT system using the PFMS gateway.
- Aadhaar Linking: Students must link their Aadhaar number with their bank account to receive the scholarship amount.
Important Considerations
- Application Verification: Ensure timely verification of your application by the respective institution. Unverified applications will be considered invalid.
- College/Course Changes: If you change your college or course after graduation, update your information on the NSP portal.
- Grievance Redressal: For any queries or grievances, register your complaints through the Grievance Registration tab on the NSP or use the designated link.
Table 1: Key Information
| Feature | Details |
| Eligibility | Above 80th percentile in Class XII, Family income below Rs. 4.5 lakh, Not availing other scholarships |
| Application | Online through National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Documents Required | Class XII marksheet, Income certificate, Caste certificate (if applicable), Disability certificate (if applicable) |
| Disbursement | Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) through PFMS |
| Age Limit | Not specifically mentioned |
| Application Deadline | Varies based on academic year (Check NSP for details) |
For further information:
- Visit the official National Scholarship Portal website.
- Refer to the Ministry of Education website for detailed guidelines.
By carefully reviewing this guide and following the application process, eligible students can increase their chances of securing this valuable financial assistance and successfully pursue their higher education goals.