Delays in scholarship disbursement: Department of Collegiate Education warns colleges against taking action on students

The Department of Collegiate Education has issued an order to government first-grade colleges and aided degree colleges not to take any action, such as debarring students from exams or expelling them from classes, on the grounds of delays in scholarship disbursements.

The department has stated that delays in the sanctioning or disbursement of State or Central scholarships are administrative matters and cannot be attributed to the students. No student should be barred from attending classes, practical sessions, or appearing in examinations due to delays in the disbursement of their scholarships, the Department has stated.

No students are to be evicted from hostels either, owing to pending scholarship-linked fee payments. It also said that marksheets or certificates cannot be withheld due to outstanding fees linked to scholarships, warning of action if these guidelines are violated.

Collegiate Education Commissioner Gopal Krishna H.N. said, “The Supreme Court’s guidelines are clear on the strict prohibition of adverse actions against students due to delays in scholarship disbursement.” A total of 440 government first-grade colleges and 321 aided colleges are functioning in the State, with more than 8,00,000 students studying in them.

Many students avail themselves of scholarships through the Social Welfare Department, the Backward Classes Welfare Department, and other boards. The government pays the entire college fees for eligible female students. In addition, the Sanchi Honnamma Scholarship, Sir C.V.

Raman Scholarship, HIV/Leprosy Scholarship, Fee Reimbursement Scheme for Children of Defence Personnel, MBA/MCA Fee Reimbursement, and the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) – Central Sector Scheme (CSSS) are some of the scholarships that provide students with amounts ranging from a minimum of ₹2,000 to about ₹23,000.

The expenses for all students living in government hostels are covered by the relevant departments, including the Social Welfare Department. “Many departments, including the Social Welfare Department, the Backward Classes Welfare Department, the Brahmin Development Board, the Arya-Vysya Development Board, and other boards, also provide scholarships to students.

The release of scholarships varies based on grant availability and the financial position of those departments. Therefore, the scholarships are sometimes not released on time,” said Mr. Krishna. However, it has come to the attention of the Collegiate Education Department and the Department of Social Welfare that many college administrations are insisting that students pay the fees themselves due to delays in scholarships.

Some educational institutions have warned that if the fees are not paid, students will not be allowed to attend classes or exams, sources said. “Currently, an audit is being conducted in colleges, and audit objections are being raised regarding the non-payment of scholarships.

Therefore, some educational institutions are pressuring students to pay up,” said Mr. Krishna.