Scholarship camp for higher education evokes good response in Nagapattinam

Class 12 graduates filling scholarship applications with the help of volunteers at the District Collectorate Hall in Nagapattinam. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

In a move to bridge the accessibility gap in higher education, the Nagapattinam district administration conducted a first-of-its-kind Scholarship Awareness Camp under the District Education Empowerment Programme (DEEP). The initiative brought together over 250 government school students and several NGOs offering educational sponsorships.

The camp, held earlier this week, had 253 targeted students from economically and socially vulnerable backgrounds — first-generation learners, orphans, children of single parents, and students with disabilities — many of whom were unaware that higher education could be a viable option.

The event prompted reflection among NGOs. “We have already paid college fees for 11 students here. This was an eye-opener,” said S. Rajinikanth, who represented M.N. Gayathri Charities, VRCF, and SEEDS. “We usually get polished online applications from urban areas. But here, students struggled with forms, some using basic phones. It reminded us who really needs support.”

He said the district-level coordination made the process more efficient. “Normally, we verify applications door to door. This time, the administration itself brought us verified students —saving time and ensuring trust. If every district did this, thousands more could benefit.”

Some NGOs said the experience pushed them to consider more inclusive practices such as making their scholarship portals Tamil-friendly or introducing offline applications.

The day saw 483 applications submitted by 200 students, with guidance from 42 trained volunteers from Talent Quest India and TNAU Kilvelur. Each NGO had 10 minutes to present its eligibility criteria.

Speaking to The Hindu, District Collector P. Akash said: “Most NGOs focus their efforts in urban centres like Chennai and Coimbatore. Districts like Nagapattinam are often overlooked because students don’t apply online. So we reversed the model — we brought the NGOs to the students.”

“We didn’t just inform them about scholarships — they applied on the spot,” he said and added that many NGOs had promised continued support, including assistance with admissions, tuition, and hostel fees.

Published - June 01, 2025 08:37 pm IST