Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is the largest open university in the world. The university offers more than 200 courses through Distance and Online Distance Mode. IGNOU Admissions are conducted twice in a year, i.e, January and July session. Admissions are offered on the basis of marks secured in the qualifying examination or entrance examination. Fees at IGNOU ranges from INR 3700 to 10800 per year. However, IGNOU provides fee exemptions, fee remission, and scholarships to students who belong to SC, ST categories and are physically challenged. Jail inmates, economically weak students are also eligible. IGNOU scholarship details like eligibility, amount, required document, and application process is discussed below in the article.

IGNOU Scholarship 2024

IGNOU Scholarship is a financial assistance program offered to SC, ST, Jail Inmates, and Economically Weaker, and physically challenged students. Students from the Weaver community, transgender can also get the scholarship offered by the university. Every year, thousands of students apply for the IGNOU scholarship. The selection is on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Students can get the scholarship form from their regional centres. They have to fill the scholarship form and get it certified by the concerned authorities. Then, submit it back in their regional offices to apply for IGNOU scholarships. Moreover, students must attach valid documents while applying. The list of documents includes birth certificate, ADHAAR card, academic mark sheets, income proof, caste certificate, and more. Ensure that the documents are clear and are not expired.

IGNOU Scholarship Amount

IGNOU scholarship amount varies as per the program and reservation criteria. For the M.Phil program, students will get a scholarship amount of INR 5000 per month. Meanwhile, PhD students will receive an amount of INR 8000 per month as a scholarship. Passing the eligibility criteria is a must in order to apply for the aid.

Check More: IGNOU Courses & Fees

IGNOU Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for IGNOU Scholarship, students must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

• Student should not be more than 35 years of age. 
• Student must be a student of IGNOU.
• Students from the Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes can avail of this scholarship. 
• Furthermore, students who belong to the Weaver communities and are transgender, physically, handicappedn are equally eligible for financial aid. 
• Additionally, jail inmates with a zeal for learning are exempted from fee payments. It also includes the registration fee. 
• However, this comes with an exception that when the jail inmates are freed, they have to pay the fee wherever applicable. For instance, re-registration fee, examination fee, convocation registration fee, etc.
• The yearly income of the applicant’s family should not be more than 2.5 lakhs INR per annum, including all resources. 

How to Apply for IGNOU Scholarships?

Students applying for IGNOU Scholarship can follow the step by step process mentioned below:

• Visit the official webite to apply for IGNOU Scholarship @ignou.ac.in or students can get the application form from the Directorate of Social Welfare or from their respective State Social Welfare Office.
• Make sure you fill in the form with the correct details such as your name, date of birth, cast, father’s name, phone number, email ID etc.
• You will be required to attach valid, up-to-date documents. These documents include the mark sheets of your academic background, the income certificate, an updated caste certificate and more. 
• As per the university notification, students need to get their IGNOU scholarship form certified by the Regional Director appointed at the regional centre of their program. 
• Thereafter, students should finally submit the duly completed form at the social welfare office or the directorate of social welfare in their respective states. 
• For the disabled learning community, you can reach out to the awarding authority directly, to apply for financial aid.
• Make sure you read the IGNOU scholarship 2024 eligibility criteria before applying for the aid.

IGNOU Scholarship: Documents Required

Students applying for IGNOU Scholarship must submit the following documents:

• ADHAAR card
• Passport-sized photograph
• Income certificate
• Caste certificate
• Date of Birth proof
• Bank account details in the name of student
• Academic marksheets 
• IGNOU student Identity card
• Graduation certificate
• Physically challenged certificate 

These are the documents required to apply for IGNOU scholarships. students must ensure that they attach correct documents with no spelling errors. Moreover, note that the application form should be correctly filled and should have the Regional Directorate signatures on it.

IGNOU Scholarships Schemes Offered By Government

Students at IGNOU can also avail the various scholarship schemes offered by the government. However, students can get only one scholarship at a time and the approval of scholarship is solely based on fulfilling the eligibility criteria. In order to apply for these scholarships students must visit their regional centre to know the eligibility criteria and then apply through the official portal only. IGNOU Scholarships Schemes offered by the government are as follows:

• Merit Cum Means Scholarship For Professional and Technical Courses CS

This scholarship is sponsored by the Indian Government for minority students. It is to grant them financial aid for their technical and professional courses. Moreover, it awards living expenses and covers the course fee. 

• Eligibility:
  • The family income of the applicant should not exceed 2.5 lakhs per annum.
  • So other students should have at least 50% of marks in the previous final examination. 
• Benefits: 
  • Scholarship worth 20,000 INR every year for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 
  • Maintenance allowance up to 1000 INR per month for hostlers and 500 INR per month for the day scholar. 
• Mode of applying

Students must apply for this scholarship online www.scholarships.gov.in. Fill the form online, attach the documents required and submit it.

• Scholarships for Top Class Education for students with disabilities

The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disability - Government of India provides this scholarship to 300 students. 

• Eligibility Criteria:
  • The specially abled student should have a valid certificate with more than 40% of physical disability. 
  • The family income should be six lakhs and not more than that. 
  • students should pursue an undergraduate or a PG course from any recognised university. 
• Benefits:
  • The cost for books and stationary will be covered up to 5000 per year. 
  • Maintenance allowances will be covered. 3000 INR per month for a hostler and 1500 INR per month for a day scholar. 
  • Tuition fee will be covered up to 2 lakhs per annum. This amount is variable depending upon the fee of the course.
  • 45,000 INR, a one time allowance will be given for devices used for studying (laptop/desktop) 
  • Other allowances such as helper or escort allowances will be covered for 2000 INR per month. 
• Documents required:
  • Disability proof
  • Birth certificate
  • Course fee receipt
  • Academic mark sheets of the previous education
  • Proof of income, and more as per the requirements from the authorities . 

• Mode of application: the interested students can apply for this scholarship on the official website - scholarships.gov.in .
• Top Class Education Scheme for SC students
• Eligibility:

• • Students have to be enrolled in a full-time course in a recognized university.
  • They have to be an Indian citizen.
  • They have gained admission under the general category seats of the college/university.
  • Their family income should not exceed 8 lakhs per year. This number includes earnings from every sources
  • In one family, only 2 siblings are allowed to enrol and benefit from this scholarship. It is because of the high competition. 
  • Candidates with a strong academic background with weaker economic conditions will be preferred.
  • 30% reservations from the total scheme population is reserved for the SC girl child. 

• Benefits: 

This scholarship is to uplift the less privileged section of the society by giving extra exposure. The students can take maximum benefit from the scheme once they get an approval on the application form

• The salary per year is INR 3.72 Lakh in the case of enrollment in private flying clubs for commercial flight training and rating courses. 

• Additionally, it pays for up to INR 2,220 per month as the living costs for students to sustain themselves.

• Books and stationery costs are also covered. Every awardee receives 3,000 per month to cover these costs.

• The scholarship pays the full tuition for up to INR 2 lakh per year for students attending private institutions. 

• A one-time financial aid for a computer or laptop is also covered by the scholarship. This cost corresponds to a 45,000 compensation. 

Mode of applying:

Candidates must go to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's official website to submit an application. They must first log in and sign up as new applicants before filling out the application form, uploading all required files, and submitting it.

Check More: IGNOU Reviews