SBI Launches Scholarship Program Worth ₹20 Lakh for Students: Eligibility and Application Details Inside

The SBI Asha Scholarship 2025 is a transformative initiative by the SBI Foundation, designed to empower talented students from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities who aspire to pursue higher education abroad. Under its Integrated Learning Mission (ILM), the SBI Foundation offers substantial financial assistance to eligible candidates, aiming to bridge the financial gap and facilitate access to premier international educational institutions.

Quick Overview: SBI Asha Scholarship 2025

About the SBI Asha Scholarship Program

The SBI Asha Scholarship Program is a merit-cum-means based initiative aimed at supporting meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, specifically those belonging to SC/ST communities. The program focuses on facilitating higher education opportunities abroad, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder the academic aspirations of deserving students. (SBIF Asha Scholarship Program for Overseas Education 2024-25)

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen.
• Category: Should belong to the Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
• Academic Qualification: Must have secured admission to a master’s or postgraduate course (any year) at a premier university/college outside India.
• Academic Performance: Should have achieved at least 75% marks in the previous academic year.
• Family Income: Annual family income should not exceed ₹6 lakh, with preference given to those below ₹3 lakh.
• Institution Ranking: The foreign university must be ranked among the top institutions as per the QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education Rankings. (SBIF Asha Scholarship Program 2024-25 – Sarsa Education -)

Scholarship Benefits

Selected students will receive financial assistance covering:

• Tuition Fees: Up to 50% of the course fee.
• Additional Expenses: The remaining amount can be utilized for accommodation, academic expenses, or other related needs.
• Maximum Limit: The total scholarship amount is capped at ₹20 lakh per annum.

Required Documents

Applicants need to furnish the following documents during the application process:

• Recent passport-size color photograph
• Aadhaar card and passport
• Academic marksheets and certificates
• Offer letter from the foreign university
• IELTS/TOEFL score (if applicable)
• Course fee structure and receipts
• Family income certificate
• Bank passbook photocopy
• Caste certificate
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Orphan letter (if applicable)
• GRE/GMAT score (if applicable)

Application Process

Interested candidates can apply by following these steps:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Navigate to the Buddy4Study Portal.
2. Register/Login: Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button and register or log in to your Buddy4Study account.
3. Fill Application Form: Complete the application form with accurate details.
4. Upload Documents: Upload all the necessary documents as specified.
5. Review and Submit: Verify all information and submit the application before the deadline. (SBIF Asha Scholarship Program for Overseas Education 2024-25)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who is eligible to apply for the SBI Asha Scholarship?

A: Indian citizens belonging to SC/ST categories, who have secured admission to a master’s or postgraduate course at a premier foreign university and have scored at least 75% in their previous academic year, are eligible. (SBIF Asha Scholarship Program for Overseas Education 2024-25)

Q2: What is the maximum scholarship amount offered?

A: The scholarship provides up to ₹20 lakh per annum or 50% of course-related expenses, whichever is less. (SBIF Asha Scholarship Program for Overseas Education 2024-25)

Q3: Is there a preference for applicants based on family income?

A: Yes, while the maximum eligible family income is ₹6 lakh per annum, preference is given to applicants with a family income below ₹3 lakh.

Q4: Can students already pursuing a master’s program abroad apply?

A: Yes, students in any year of their master’s or postgraduate program at a premier foreign university are eligible to apply. (SBIF Asha Scholarship Program for Overseas Education 2024-25)

Q5: Are there any specific fields of study prioritized for this scholarship?

A: No, the scholarship is open to all fields of study at the master’s or postgraduate level.

Q6: How will the scholarship amount be disbursed?

A: The scholarship amount is typically disbursed directly to the selected student’s bank account. (SBIF Asha Scholarship Program for Overseas Education 2024-25)

Q7: Is an SBI bank account mandatory to receive the scholarship funds?

A: While not mandatory during application, selected candidates may be required to open an SBI bank account for fund disbursement. (SBIF Asha Scholarship Program for Overseas Education 2024-25)

Q8: What should be included in the Statement of Purpose (SOP)?

A: The SOP should detail your academic background, reasons for choosing the specific course and university, career goals, and how the scholarship will aid in achieving these objectives. (SBIF Asha Scholarship Program for Overseas Education 2024-25)

Q9: Whom should I contact for further queries?

A: For any further queries, you can contact Buddy4Study support via email at sbiashascholarship@buddy4study.com or call at 011-430-92248 (Ext: 303) from Monday to Friday – 10:00 AM to 06:00 PM (IST). (SBIF Asha Scholarship Program for Overseas Education 2024-25)

Final Thoughts

The SBI Asha Scholarship 2025 stands as a beacon of hope for SC/ST students aiming to pursue higher education abroad. By alleviating financial burdens, it paves the way for deserving candidates to achieve their academic and professional aspirations on a global platform. Eligible students are encouraged to seize this opportunity and submit their applications before the April 30, 2025 deadline.

For more information and to apply, visit the Buddy4Study Portal.

Click Here To Know More