The SSP Scholarship 2025-26, offered by the Government of Karnataka, is a financial aid program for students from underprivileged backgrounds. It’s a comprehensive initiative aimed at making education accessible for students from various categories, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), and minorities. The scholarship is administered through the State Scholarship Portal (SSP), which streamlines the application process.
Eligibility Criteria: A Detailed Overview
To be eligible for the SSP scholarship, applicants must be permanent residents of Karnataka. Beyond this fundamental requirement, the eligibility criteria vary significantly depending on the specific scholarship scheme and the applicant’s category.
- For SC/ST Students:
- Post-Matric Scholarship: Applicants must be residents of Karnataka and be pursuing post-matric courses. Their family’s annual income should not exceed ₹2.5 lakh. However, for those pursuing engineering or medical courses, the income ceiling is higher, ranging from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
- Pre-Matric Scholarship: For students in classes 1-10, the criteria vary slightly. For classes 1-8, the family income must be less than or equal to ₹6 lakh, while for classes 9-10, it should be less than or equal to ₹2.5 lakh.
- For Backward Classes Students:
- Post-Matric Scholarship: Students must be residents of Karnataka and belong to the Backward Classes category. The annual family income should not exceed ₹2.5 lakh for Category I and ₹1 lakh for Categories 2A, 3A, and 3B.
- Pre-Matric Scholarship: Applicants in classes 9 and 10 must be studying in government schools. The family’s annual income should be less than ₹2.5 lakh. A minimum grade of B or higher in the previous academic year is also required.
- For Minority Students:
- Post-Matric Scholarship: Applicants from minority communities (Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist, Jain, or Zoroastrian) must be residents of Karnataka and enrolled in Class 11, 12, or various undergraduate/postgraduate courses. The family’s annual income should be below ₹2.5 lakh.
- Pre-Matric Scholarship: Students in classes 1-8 must belong to a minority community and have a family income not exceeding ₹1 lakh.
- Other Schemes:
- Merit-cum-Means Scholarship: This scholarship is for students in Class 9 who have scored at least 55% in their Class 8 examination. The family’s annual income must be less than ₹2.5 lakhs.
- Fee Reimbursement: Specific schemes exist for fee reimbursement for SC/ST students in engineering and medical courses, as well as for Backward Classes students. These schemes have varying income limits.
- Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board Scholarship: Brahmin students who are residents of Karnataka and have an annual family income below ₹8 lakh are eligible.
Required Documents
A list of essential documents is required to complete the application process. It’s crucial to have these documents ready to ensure a smooth application. They typically include:
- Student’s and parent’s Aadhaar cards
- Income certificate
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- SSLC (10th) registration number
- College/university registration number
- Bank account details (linked to Aadhaar for direct benefit transfer)
- Passport-size photograph
- Fee receipt
- Hostel ID (if applicable)
- UDID card (for differently-abled students)
Online Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
The application for the SSP scholarship is an entirely online process conducted through the official State Scholarship Portal.
- Step 1: Account Creation: Visit the official SSP website. New users must first create an account by providing their Aadhaar number, mobile number, and other basic details.
- Step 2: Login: After creating an account, use the generated SSP ID and password to log in to the portal. There are separate login links for pre-matric and post-matric students.
- Step 3: Fill out the Application Form: Once logged in, navigate to the application form. Fill in all the required personal, academic, and caste details accurately.
- Step 4: Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of all the necessary documents as specified in the application requirements.
- Step 5: Final Submission: Review all the information carefully before clicking the “Submit” button. It’s a good practice to take a printout of the acknowledgment slip for future reference.
Important Dates and Deadlines
The application dates for the SSP scholarship vary by department and scheme. While some departments have an extended deadline, others might close their application window sooner. For example, some Backward Classes Welfare Department schemes have a deadline of September 30, 2025, while others, like those from the Karnataka State Brahmin Development Board, extend until November 30, 2025. It is essential to check the official SSP portal for specific dates related to your category and course.
