Students Hit With Scholarship Scams Amid Exam Result Announcements, How To Avoid – News18

Last Updated:April 15, 2025, 21:29 IST

An analysis of scholarship applications for the 2022-2023 period revealed that out of 25.5 lakh applicants, over 6.7 lakh were non-existent

As board exam results are being announced and college admissions commence, a new wave of scholarship scams are emerging, targeting students and their families. These scams exploit the hopes of students seeking financial aid for higher education. Scholarship scams involve fraudsters posing as legitimate organisations offering financial aid. They might create fake websites or send emails promising scholarships, requesting personal information, application fees, or bank details. Once they obtain this information, they may use it for identity theft or financial fraud.

According to a report by the Ministry of Minority Affairs revealed that of the 1,572 minority institutions under investigation, 830 were found to be fake or non-functional, accounting for about 53 per cent of the total. This led to the misappropriation of Rs 144.83 crore over five years, funds intended for the education of minority students.

An analysis of scholarship applications for the 2022-2023 period revealed that out of 25.5 lakh applicants, over 6.7 lakh were non-existent. Biometric verification procedures indicated that only 30 percent of renewal applicants were genuine, uncovering a significant number of fraudulent beneficiaries taking advantage of the system.

Here are some scholarship scams:

Himachal Pradesh: Officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were allegedly involved in a Rs 250 crore scholarship scam. These funds, intended for scholarships for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) students, were allegedly misappropriated by the officials. Properties valued at Rs 18.27 crore have been seized in connection with the case.

Tripura: The government of Tripura plans to file FIRs against 34 students suspected of using false income certificates to obtain post-matric scholarships.

Uttar Pradesh: A scholarship scam amounting to Rs 1.16 lakh was uncovered in 2010-11. Scholarships meant for 116 children in Meerut were sent to a madrassa’s account and distributed to the children in cash. However, irregularities were detected, and FIRs were filed on August 28, 2019, against various madrassas for these discrepancies at the economic offences police station in Meerut.

To avoid falling into any such scams, students and parents must verify about the institutions and the scholarships they offers. This includes physical verification of the institute and checking with students who have availed the scheme before.