NUA-O Scholarship: Eligibility, Benefits, Documents Required, How to Apply & Selection Criteria

The Department of Higher Education, Government of Odisha offers NUA-O Scholarship. This scholarship program has been launched to provide financial aid to undergraduate and postgraduate students in the state. The main agenda of this scholarship is to empower young aspirants and motivate their skill development including reskilling and upskilling. The selected candidates will receive up to Rs 11,000 as economic assistance.

The initiative specifically focuses on students enrolled in regular undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the state universities, government and non-government aided colleges, including Sanskrit colleges run by the Higher Education Department. Additionally, it covers private colleges (unaided) where students have been admitted through the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) under the Higher Education Department. The students whose parents pay income taxes or hold permanent government positions would be ineligible under the scholarship scheme.

NUA-O Scholarship 2024, Odisha Highlights

Objective of NUA Odisha Scholarship Scheme

To help the students belonging to SC ST and Nirman Shramik category, the Government of Odisha has launched the Nutana Unnata Abhilasha Odisha scholarship scheme. Under this scholarship, monetary help will be provided to the student so that they can continue their education without worrying about any financial problems. The main objective of launching this scheme is to help students complete their education and build their careers. Students can easily apply for this scholarship by visiting the official website before the last date.

Eligibility Criteria for NUA-O Scholarship

Candidates who want to opt for the NUA-O Scholarship must be eligible in the following ways

• The candidate must be a permanent resident of Odisha.
• Candidate must be pursuing a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate course in a state university/government and non-government aided colleges/aided Sanskrit colleges/unaided private institutions.
• Candidates must be enrolled through a Student Academic Management System under the Higher Education Department’s jurisdiction  
  There are also some pointers in which students are considered ineligible for this scholarship if they fall.
• If candidates are enrolled in open universities, distance learning, or correspondence courses,
• Candidates who are pursuing self-sustained courses under PPP mode.
• Beneficiary of the KALIA scholarship scheme for professional and technical courses.
• Candidates who do not have confirmation from their respective principles or educational institutions.
• Candidates from any additional categories are excluded by the government.
• Candidates whose parents are employed by the Central/State Government, Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs), Government funded foundation, or Autonomous Bodies.
• Candidates whose parents are current income taxpayers.      

Benefits of NUA-O Scholarship 

Selected candidates will get the following benefits and the amount varies depending on the student’s gender and category

• Male Students will receive Rs 9,000 per annum 
• Female Students will receive Rs 10,000 per annum 
• Candidates belonging to SC/ST community or children of construction workers:
• Male Students will receive Rs 10,000 per annum 
• Female Students will receive Rs 11,000 per annum 

Documents Required for NUA-O Scholarship

The Documents Required for NUA O Scholarship are listed below:

• Passport-size photograph of the candidate
• A self-disclose submitted in the advised format including details below:
• Verification of permanent residency in Odisha 
• Residence information, including, district, block address, and college name 
• Candidate’s Aadhar number and mobile contact 
• Candidate’s Bank account details, including account number and IFSC code.
• Declaration of meeting eligibility criteria and not falling under auto-exclusion criteria
• Statement confirming neither parent is an income taxpayer or subject to tax liability 
• Candidate’s commitment to ongoing studies and regular class attendance.
• Application stating neither parent is an employee of the central/state government, PSU, Government Aided Institutions, Autonomous Bodies, or receives grants from educational organizations. 

Note: Candidates above 18 years must submit self-declarations using Form A. Where else for underage candidates, a statement from their parents/guardians using Form B. In case, any of the clauses of the above-said form is not suitable due to the category of students. Then candidates need to write an application stating that the clause is not relevant to them 

How to Apply for NUA-O Scholarship?

Eligible applicants can apply for the scholarship using the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Candidates must click on the ‘Apply button’ below.
Step 2: Click on the ‘Register’ button on the right-hand side of the dashboard and fill in the required information for candidates who have already registered and need to log in with their official credentials.
Step 3: Candidates need to download the self-declaration from Annexure A.
Step 4: Candidates need to fill in the required information and submit the form to the institution.
Step 5:  The institution will verify the submitted documents and verify the information provided by the students.

Important Dates to Apply for the NUA-O Scholarship 2024

The application deadline for the NUA-O Scholarship Program was 16th March 2024.

Selection Criteria for NUA-O Scholarship

Once a candidate has received applications through the state scholarship portal college in charge evaluates them on the eligibility criteria.
The screening community will check the validity of the information submitted by the applicant. Eligibility applications will then be forwarded to the Higher Education Department through the State Scholarship Portal.
The screening committee will verify the authenticity of information in the applications. Eligible applications will then be forwarded to the Higher Education Department through the State Scholarship Portal.

Points to Remember 

• This scholarship will not be combined with the KALIA scheme for professional and technical courses.
• The scholarship is accessible for a maximum of three years for undergraduate and two years for postgraduate courses. 
• Candidates will receive this scholarship once for their undergraduate studies and once for their undergraduate studies.

NUA-O Scholarship Terms & Conditions

• The Higher Education Department reserves the flexibility to make necessary changes and amendments to the scheme as needed to ensure inclusivity and effective implementation.
• Any falsification of information will result in legal consequences, including potential scholarship repayment and legal action.