Freeship Less than ₹1,00,000 Scheme: Empowering Economically Weaker Undergraduate Students through Education

Education is the backbone of individual empowerment and national development. It not only enhances human capital but also ensures that the youth of the nation can contribute productively to social and economic progress. However, one of the major barriers to higher education in India, especially in technical and agricultural universities, remains financial constraints faced by students from economically weaker sections (EWS).

In this context, the “Freeship Less than ₹1,00,000” Scheme, launched by the Dean Student Welfare, Govind Ballabh Pant Krishi Evam Praudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya (GBPUAT), Government of Uttarakhand, has emerged as a crucial initiative. The scheme provides complete tuition fee waiver for meritorious undergraduate students whose annual family income is less than ₹1,00,000. Designed with inclusivity in mind, it extends additional benefits to female students by allowing them to avail the scheme for an extra academic year.

The scheme not only reduces the financial burden of education but also promotes academic excellence by ensuring that talented students are not forced to discontinue their studies due to lack of resources. By institutionalizing such welfare measures, GBPUAT is upholding its responsibility as a premier educational institution while also contributing to the broader goals of equity in education and nation-building.

Dates and Implementation

The “Freeship Less than ₹1,00,000” Scheme is implemented on an academic year basis. Students have to apply at the beginning of each academic session within the university’s notified deadline. The applications are invited by the Office of the Dean Student Welfare, scrutinized at different levels, and finally approved by the Registrar and Vice Chancellor. Once the approval process is complete, the official list of selected students is released through a university order, and the fee waiver is directly applied to the student’s fee account.

Thus, the scheme becomes operational every year at the start of the session, ensuring continuity and timely financial assistance.

Objectives of the Scheme

The scheme is guided by a set of clear and inclusive objectives, which underline the commitment of GBPUAT to ensure accessibility of higher education:

1. To provide financial assistance to undergraduate students belonging to low-income families (annual income below ₹1,00,000).
2. To remove economic barriers that prevent meritorious students from pursuing higher education.
3. To promote academic excellence by supporting students who consistently perform well in their studies.
4. To encourage gender inclusivity by granting extended benefits to girl students, thereby promoting female participation in higher education.
5. To contribute to social equity by ensuring that financial background does not limit opportunities for talented youth.

Key Features of the Scheme

The key features of the “Freeship Less than ₹1,00,000” scheme are as follows:

• Complete Tuition Fee Waiver: Selected students receive a 100% exemption in tuition fees.
• Annual Selection: The scheme is implemented every academic year, at the beginning of the session.
• Merit-Based with Financial Need: Only meritorious students from families earning less than ₹1,00,000 per year are eligible.
• Gender Sensitivity: Girls can avail the benefit for one extra academic year compared to boys.
• Transparent Approval: The selection process is conducted through the Dean Student Welfare and approved by higher university authorities.
• Direct Benefit: No cash is handed over; the benefit is directly adjusted in the fee processing system.

Scholarship Amount

Unlike traditional scholarships where students receive funds in their bank accounts, this scheme provides direct financial relief through a tuition fee waiver.

• Scholarship Benefit: 100% exemption from tuition fees.
• Disbursement Mechanism: The waiver is applied directly during fee submission, reducing the payable amount for the student.
• Duration:
  • For Boys – Valid up to 3 academic years.
  • For Girls – Valid up to 4 academic years.

Thus, the scheme acts as a need-based tuition scholarship ensuring no student is denied education due to inability to pay.

Eligibility Criteria

Students must fulfill the following eligibility requirements to be considered:

1. Enrollment: The applicant must be an undergraduate student at GBPUAT.
2. Income Criteria: Annual family income must be less than ₹1,00,000, supported by a valid income certificate issued by a competent government authority.
3. Merit Condition: The applicant must be among the best-performing students as per the university’s merit guidelines.
4. Application Submission: The application must be submitted in the prescribed format within the notified deadline.

Reservation Policy

While the scheme itself is income-based, it carries a special reservation benefit for girls:

• Boys can avail the freeship benefit for up to 3 years.
• Girls can avail the benefit for up to 4 years, ensuring they are supported for an additional academic year.

This gender-sensitive approach enhances women’s participation in higher education and is aligned with the Government of India’s broader policies of promoting gender equity.

Distribution of Scholarships

The process of distributing the freeship benefits involves multiple stakeholders within the university administration:

1. Dean Student Welfare – Collects and scrutinizes applications.
2. Registrar – Verifies and forwards recommendations.
3. Vice Chancellor – Provides final approval.
4. University Office Order – Announces the final list of selected students.
5. Fee Adjustment – The tuition fee waiver is directly reflected during the fee submission process.

This ensures transparency, accountability, and fairness in distribution.

Application Process (Step by Step)

The application process is offline and involves the following steps:

Step 1: Notification & Availability of Forms

• At the beginning of the academic year, the Dean Student Welfare invites applications from eligible undergraduate students.
• The prescribed form is made available at the university.

Step 2: Submission of Applications

• Students fill out the prescribed form and attach the required documents.
• Applications must be submitted within the notified deadline.

Step 3: Scrutiny of Applications

• The Dean Student Welfare scrutinizes the applications based on income and merit criteria.
• A provisional list is prepared.

Step 4: Forwarding for Approval

• The provisional list is sent to the Registrar and then forwarded to the Vice Chancellor for final approval.

Step 5: Announcement of Final List

• After approval, the official list of selected students is released through an office order.

Step 6: Implementation of Fee Waiver

• Selected students are granted tuition fee exemption which is directly adjusted against their payable fees.

Documents Required

Applicants must attach the following documents with their application:

1. Duly Filled Prescribed Application Form.
2. Valid Identity Proof – Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, etc.
3. Income Certificate issued by a competent government authority.
4. Latest Academic Mark Sheets.
5. Admission Confirmation Letter.
6. Bank Account Details – Copy of passbook or cancelled cheque (for administrative purposes).

Renewal Policy

The scheme is renewable every year, subject to the following conditions:

• The student must maintain academic performance as per university merit criteria.
• The family income should continue to remain below ₹1,00,000.
• The student must submit a fresh application each academic year for renewal.
• The maximum duration is 3 years for boys and 4 years for girls.

This policy ensures that only deserving and continuously meritorious students avail the benefit.

Withdrawal of Scholarship

The freeship benefit may be withdrawn in the following cases:

1. Misrepresentation: If a student is found to have provided false information or documents.
2. Academic Decline: If the student fails to maintain the required academic performance.
3. Change in Income Status: If the annual family income exceeds ₹1,00,000.
4. Disciplinary Action: If a student is involved in activities against university rules or indiscipline.
5. Voluntary Withdrawal: If a student chooses to discontinue availing the freeship.

Withdrawal ensures that the scheme remains credible and benefits only genuine students.

Impact of the Scheme

Since its implementation, the “Freeship Less than ₹1,00,000” scheme has had a significant impact:

• Increased Enrollment: Students from poor backgrounds are encouraged to join higher education.
• Reduced Dropouts: Financial relief has helped reduce dropout rates due to economic reasons.
• Promotion of Merit: The scheme motivates students to perform well academically.
• Support for Girls: Additional benefit to female students contributes to greater gender balance in higher education.
• Inclusive Development: The scheme aligns with national goals of inclusive education and empowerment.