Disparities in Scholarship Accessibility and Impact: Evidence from Aided and Non-Aided Institutions in Surathkal

Abstract: For a lot of students in India, especially those from families that don’t have much money or support, scholarships aren’t just helpful they’re necessary. Without them, many would probably drop out or maybe not even start college. That’s the reality. But here’s the thing: not all colleges are the same when it comes to giving access to these scholarships. Some colleges get money from the government. They’re called aided colleges. Others don’t they mostly run on fees paid by students. Those are the unaided ones. Now, in a place like Surathkal in Karnataka, you’ll find both kinds. And from what students say, the difference in how scholarships work between the two is pretty clear. In aided colleges, there’s usually someone who knows how the system works. They help students apply and make sure forms are filled out. But in unaided ones? It’s often confusing. Not enough help, too much paperwork, and students don’t even know where to begin sometimes. There are schemes like the Post-Matric Scholarship from the government. Great idea on paper. But whether it really helps or not that depends on the college. Some research says scholarships improve results and keep students from dropping out. Sure, but only when students can actually access them easily. Many students in unaided colleges still struggle, even though these schemes are technically available to them. And weirdly enough, not a lot of studies have focused on this at a local level. That’s why this research is being done. It’ll look at students in both aided and unaided colleges in Surathkal. The goal is to understand how scholarships affect things like motivation, performance, and whether students stick around. Also, to figure out what’s standing in the way. Maybe then, the system can be made fairer for everyone.

Accessibility, Aided and Non-Aided Institutions, Higher Education, Educational Equity

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