Bottom Financial Quintile Student Support

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s 2024 initiatives for students from the bottom 20% household income group directly advance multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 1 (No Poverty) by eliminating tuition and living-cost barriers through fully funded programmes; SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by offering free medical and mental health services including 24/7 counseling; SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing bridge courses, remedial classes, and personalized mentoring to improve retention and on-time graduation; SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by awarding the Rekha Eipe Memorial Scholarship to cover full tuition and residential costs for economically disadvantaged women; and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by ensuring equitable access to academic enrichment and support services regardless of socioeconomic background.

1. Affirmative Action for Socially Backward Communities

Amrita’s scholarship policy is explicitly grounded in three core principles: merit, economic need, and affirmative action for socially backward groups. The university is committed to a fair and balanced policy that does not discriminate based on gender, caste, age, faith, or disability.

Scholarship Schemes Include:

• Tuition/fee waivers (partial or full)
• Stipends to cover living expenses
• Health benefits expenses
• Amounts depend on the scheme, academic program, and location

2. Affirmative Action for Socially Backward Communities

The university is deeply committed to affirmative action for backward groups including OBC, SC/ST, and other government-approved categories. A guaranteed percentage of such groups receive scholarships each year.

Key Features:

• Priority consideration for students from economically weaker sections within these communities
• Government-approved caste certificates accepted as proof
• Equal access to all scholarship schemes without discrimination
• Dedicated support through the scholarship application process

These initiatives align with government schemes for SC/ST/OBC students, ensuring students from the bottom household income quintile receive comprehensive financial support.

3. AEEE Scholarship Slabs (2024)

For B.Tech admissions through AEEE 2024, Amrita operates a tiered scholarship system with highly subsidized fees to accommodate students from low-income families:

Slab 1 (Highest Scholarship):

• Annual fees: INR 1,00,000 – 1,50,000
• Maintenance requirement: 8.0 CGPA
• Targets top-performing students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds

Slab 2 (Mid-Level Scholarship):

• Annual fees: INR 1,25,000 – 2,90,000
• Maintenance requirement: 7.5 CGPA

Slab 3 (Entry-Level Scholarship):

• Annual fees: INR 1,50,000 – 4,00,000
• Represents significant reduction from non-scholarship fees (INR 6 lakh)

Over 200 scholarships ranging from 25% to 90% per annum on tuition fees are awarded annually based on AEEE performance.

Note: While EWS (Economically Weaker Section) candidates don’t receive separate dedicated quotas, they are eligible for merit and need-based scholarships based on entrance exam performance and demonstrated financial need.

4. CATALYST Scholarship Program (2024-25)

Launched in partnership with ELGi Equipments Limited, the CATALYST Scholarship Program provides complete financial support to 20 academically meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds for B.Tech Mechanical Engineering at Coimbatore campus.

Complete Coverage Includes:

• 100% tuition fees
• Hostel accommodation
• Academic materials and resources
• Meals and daily living support
• Industry-integrated curriculum with internships and mentorship
• Soft skills development workshops
• Assured placement opportunities at ELGi Equipments

This program goes beyond financial aid to provide a comprehensive pathway from education to employment, ensuring students from the bottom income quintile can complete their degrees and secure professional careers.

• Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and ELGi Equipments Unveil CATALYST: A New Horizon for Aspiring Engineers
• ELGi and Amrita University launch Catalyst Scholarship Program

5. E4Life PhD Fellowship Program (2024)

The E4Life (Education for Life) PhD Fellowship in Sustainable Development supports 100 PhD scholars annually, many from disadvantaged or underrepresented communities, with an annual endowment of USD 5.1 million.

Fellowship Coverage:

• Full tuition waiver
• Accommodation
• Living expenses stipend
• Research grants
• Field-based learning through Live-in-Labs® immersive experiences in rural communities

The first cohort of 23 scholars from 9 countries graduated in 2024, demonstrating the program’s global reach in supporting economically disadvantaged students.

The E4Life PhD program was recognized as a finalist at the International Green Gown Awards 2024, highlighting its excellence in promoting equitable access to higher education for sustainable development.

• E4Life PhD in Sustainable Development a Finalist at the International Green Gown Awards
• Ph. D. in Sustainable Development
  

6. Amrita Chancellor’s Scholarships

Available across UG, PG, and PhD programs (excluding Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences):

Scholarship Tiers:

• 100% tuition waiver: Students scoring 80% and above in Grade 12/UG
• 50% tuition waiver: Students scoring 70-79% in Grade 12/UG

Continuation Requirements:

• Maintain minimum CGPA of 7.0 each semester
• Maintain 75% class attendance
• Good standards of behavior throughout the program

While based on academic performance, these scholarships are renewable and accessible to students from low-income families who demonstrate merit.

7. Women Access Support Schemes (2024)

Special support schemes target women students, particularly those from economically weaker sections and underrepresented communities.

Key Initiatives in 2024:

Technology and Entrepreneurship for Children Workshop:

• 8-day program (5 days skill training + 2 days entrepreneurship + 1-day Makeathon)
• Nurtures innovation and confidence in children from rural and semi-urban schools
• 151 female students (54% of 281 total participants) in 2024

Ed-Tech and Generative AI Workshop:

• 8-day program strengthening digital literacy and responsible technology use
• Promotes inclusivity and bridges the digital divide

Atal She STEM 2024-25 Project:

• Empowers young girls in STEM fields
• 28 girl students from Amrita Vidyalayam participated in 2024
• Presented innovations including bio-based batteries, sustainable energy solutions, plastic-to-fuel conversion, and solar chargers

8. Subsidized Housing and Meals

Highly subsidized hostel and mess facilities ensure students from low-income families can afford on-campus accommodation:

Hostel Fees (Annual, Including Mess):

• Range: INR 47,000 – 115,000
• Typical fees: INR 85,000 – 95,000 inclusive of mess charges
• Refundable caution deposit: INR 3,000 – 5,000

Hostel Amenities:

• Solar water heaters, 24/7 utilities, WiFi
• Study furniture, beds, cupboards
• Pure vegetarian nutritious meals with rotating menus

Meal Services:

• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at subsidized rates
• Balanced nutrition with lentils, vegetables, rice, chapatis, fruits
• Regional diversity in menu options

This affordable housing significantly reduces the financial burden on families in the bottom income quintile.

9. Comprehensive Student Welfare Support

87% of students receive some form of scholarship or freeship, demonstrating Amrita’s commitment to financial accessibility.

Additional Support Includes:

• Emergency food assistance and ration kits
• Meal vouchers for students facing temporary financial difficulty
• Counseling and mental health services
• Career guidance and placement support (60%+ immediate placement rate
• Legal aid services through Amrita International School of Law

Transportation:

• Subsidized university bus services connecting campuses with residential areas
• Multiple routes covering major localities

10. Special Disadvantaged Groups Support

The university ensures that special disadvantaged groups including women, persons with disabilities, and others experiencing systemic barriers receive equal treatment and opportunity for scholarships without prejudice.​

Documentation Required:

• Proof of disability certificates
• Government-approved documentation
• Merit certificates
• Income proof demonstrating financial need

11. Application Process

Students should:

1. Contact the departmental office for available scholarship schemes
2. Submit applications with required documentation:
   • Proof of merit (academic transcripts)
   • Government-approved backward community certificates (if applicable)
   • Income certificates demonstrating economic need
   • Disability certificates (if applicable)
   • Recommendation letters for merit scholarships
3. Applications reviewed by the Office of the Registrar
4. Annual notification of scholarship recipients

12. Education Loan Facilitation

The university facilitates education loans through partnerships with:

• Bank of Baroda
• Dhanalakshmi Bank
• Other nationalized banks

This provides an additional financial pathway for students from low-income families to fund their education while benefiting from scholarships.

Impact and Outcomes

Through these comprehensive programmes targeting students from the bottom 20% household income group, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham ensures:

• Financial Accessibility: Multiple scholarship tiers from 25% to 100% tuition waivers
• Comprehensive Support: Beyond tuition to include housing, meals, materials, and living expenses
• Affirmative Action: Guaranteed support for SC/ST/OBC and economically weaker sections
• Pathway to Employment: Industry partnerships ensuring placement opportunities
• Holistic Development: Academic, professional, and personal growth support
• No Discrimination: Equal opportunity regardless of gender, caste, disability, or background