Scholarships After 12th in India and How to Apply
If you’re planning to join college after Class 12, start with the scholarships that accept students in your course and year of study. Some use your board results and family income. Others look at where you studied or whether your college is on an approved list. The table below gives you a starting point, including where to look if you’re applying from Karnataka.
Scholarships after 12th at a glance
| Scholarship or route | Who should check it | What it offers | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM-USP Central Sector Scholarship | Students above the 80th percentile in their Class 12 board stream, with family income up to ₹4.5 lakh a year, pursuing an eligible regular degree | ₹12,000 per year for the first three years of graduation | Ministry of Education guidelines |
| Top Class Education Scholarship for SC Students | SC students admitted to an eligible full-time course at an institution listed by the Ministry | Tuition and eligible charges, plus an academic allowance, subject to scheme limits | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Azim Premji Scholarship | Girls who completed Classes 10 and 12 as regular students at government schools or colleges in eligible states or union territories, including Karnataka, and joined an eligible first-year course | ₹30,000 per year for the duration of the first eligible degree or diploma | Azim Premji Foundation |
| Karnataka SSP post-matric scholarships | Students who meet the rules of a Karnataka department’s post-matric scheme | Support depends on the department and scheme | Karnataka SSP |
Check the current academic year and look for the fresh application window if you’re applying for the first time. A renewal window is for students who already received the award.
How to shortlist scholarships you can apply for
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Check your course and college first. PM-USP covers eligible regular degree courses. The Azim Premji Scholarship also covers eligible regular diploma courses of two to five years.
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Read the marks rule carefully. For PM-USP, the 80th percentile is based on how you performed compared with other successful students in your board and stream. An 80% score alone doesn’t establish eligibility.
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Check income, category and location rules. If you’re applying through Karnataka SSP, open the notice for the relevant department and check which documents it accepts.
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Ask whether awards can be combined. The PM-USP guidelines restrict receiving other scholarships, fee waivers or reimbursements. Check both sets of rules before accepting two awards.
Documents to keep ready
Use your scheme’s official checklist to confirm what you need. Depending on the application, you may be asked for the following.
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Class 12 marksheet and proof of identity
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Admission letter, enrolment certificate or fee receipt
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Family income certificate, where required
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Domicile or category certificate, where required
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Bank account details in the format the scheme asks for
Check that the scans are readable and your name matches across documents. If your college issues an enrolment certificate only after you pay the first instalment, ask what proof the scholarship provider will accept in the meantime.
How to apply for a scholarship after Class 12
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Open the official application page. Confirm the deadline and check whether you need to have secured admission.
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Register on the correct portal. For schemes on the National Scholarship Portal, follow the One Time Registration instructions. State, foundation and college schemes may use separate forms.
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Submit the form and keep the acknowledgement. Double-check your college, course and personal details before submitting.
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Track the application. Watch for correction requests. If the college has to verify your form, ask its scholarship office who handles that step.
What should parents check before paying college fees?
Ask for the amount due at admission, the last payment date and how the college handles a scholarship awarded after you pay. A first-year tuition waiver can reduce the immediate bill, while a renewable scholarship may help with later years. Compare what you would pay each year, including hostel and other charges. If you’re still shortlisting colleges, explore Genixo’s college admission guidance in Bangalore.
