It is a well known fact that attaining a medical degree is costlier than attaining a degree in any other higher education course in India or abroad. For this reason, several parents and students look for scholarship programmers to make attaining a MBBS degree more affordable. This article suggests scholarships for students seeking a MBBS education in India and abroad. While some are based off of merit, several of these scholarships, especially in India, are based off of an eligibility criteria that looks at the incomes of the entities paying for the education of the student.
Scholarships for Indian MBBS students:
In India the average cost of studying for a medicine degree amounts up to 10 lacs to 20 lacs annually for private colleges. To facilitate the high cost of this education there are several scholarships available to students pursuing MBBS in India. Some of these are listed below:
1.Swami Vivekananda Merit Cum Means Scholarship for Minorities – This scholarship looks for Eligibility as a criteria and to be eligible for it annual income of the family must be below 2.5 lacs. This scholarship
supports the study of minority community students who are domiciles of West Bengal and studying in class 11th to PG level. One must apply online, anytime between September and November. The award received dwindles between 12,000 to 60,000 INR.
2.HDFC Bank Educational Crisis Scholarship: The scholarship is mainly for students who are unable to bear the cost of education and are at high risk to drop out due to the Personal/ Financial Crisis. During the time of application the student must have been facing a financial crisis to be eligible for the scholarship. This scholarship gives out around 10,000 to 25,000 INR annually to recipients and one must apply for it starting March.
3.L’Oréal India For Young Women in Science Scholarship: This scholarship is for girl students with an objective to promote and support higher education in India who are not financially strong. For girls to avail this scholarship for medicine purposes, they must score above an 85% in PCB or PCMB subjects and their annual income must be below 4 Lacs. One must apply for it online starting august.
4.Nationwide Education and Scholarship Test (NEST Senior): This is one of the most popular scholarships for MBBS students. This is completely merit based and any and all 12th grade students pursuing medicine, engineering etc can appear for it. It promises the recipient full annual tuition (around 50,000 INR). The test can be given between April to June and must be registered for online through the official website.
Further Research will show other possible scholarships for Indian Students
wanting to pursue an MBBS degree.
Scholarship for Indian Students pursuing MBBS abroad:
Obtaining Scholarships for studying abroad may prove to be a little complex. Firstly, the cost of attending university higher is generally higher than attending college in India and hence may require more scholarship funding. Possible scholarship opportunities available to higher studies abroad are:
1.Chinese Local Government Scholarships: The Chinese government gives out numerous scholarships with a focus on international students pursuing higher education, such as a MBBS degree. Students thinking of pursuing a degree in China may need to research deeper for more information on eligibility and the amount which they give out.
2.SRAS Grants: SRAS research grants help students out on the basis of their educational programs and the grants seek to cover not only tuition fees but also health insurance, housing costs and helps in getting the
visa. The grant given out approximates to 62,000 INR. The scholarship is also inclusive of language lessons (in Russian) and assistance in other subjects if necessary. It is important to keep in mind that these grants may only be applied for by upperclassmen, and postgraduate students. First year MBBS students may need to find other scholarship funding for the first two years.
3.Healthcare Leadership Scholarship: This is meant in particular for students pursuing a nursing or medical career. This scholarship is only meant for students above the age of 17, who have a GPA (or equivalent) of 3.0 or higher. This is largely a merit based scholarship and aspiring scholars need to submit a 600-1000 word essay which emphasises what they hope to accomplish during their years of higher education. Each student is granted an approximate of 65,000 INR
4. China University Scholarships: Indian aspirants, in all fields (including medicine) may expect hefty scholarships from various Chinese Universities. It is meant for aspirants in all fields and at all levels. This is however university specific so further research on part of the student may be required.
This list, while comprehensive, is by no means exclusive. There are other scholarships and grants available for Indian students wanting to pursue MBBS in India and abroad. Further and deeper research on the same may lead
students to more lucrative scholarship opportunities.
