Sahaya Scheme - Pre and Post Matric Scholarship

Sahaya Scheme - Pre and Post Matric Scholarship provides monthly financial support to child beggars and children of beggars and destitute in Odisha so they can complete their education from the pre-matric level up to professional degree courses. The scholarship is paid for up to 10 months in an academic year and is meant to keep these students in school and college without money worries.

Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department, Government of Odisha runs this scheme. In March 2026 the department released updated guidelines that raised the scholarship amounts, so eligible students now get higher support than before.

Sahaya Scheme - Pre and Post Matric Scholarship - Introduction

Sahaya Scheme - Pre and Post Matric Scholarship is a welfare scheme of the SSEPD Department of the Government of Odisha. It is part of the wider SAHAYA umbrella scheme for protection, care and rehabilitation of beggars and destitute. The department recognises that beggars and destitute are valuable human resources and works to give them equal opportunities, protection of their rights and full participation in society.

Under this component, financial assistance goes to child beggars, children of beggars and destitute children who are studying at the pre-matriculation or post-matriculation stage. The goal is to remove the money barrier that often forces such children to drop out of school at an early age. The scholarship is awarded to students studying anywhere in India, and the amount is paid directly into the bank account of the student.

As per the latest guidelines issued in March 2026, the rates have been revised. A student can get between ₹ 1,000 and ₹ 2,500 per month depending on the level of study, for a maximum of 10 months in an academic year. The money is remitted through direct benefit transfer, which makes the payment clear and on time.

Key Information

Benefits

Through Sahaya Scheme - Pre and Post Matric Scholarship, a student receives monthly financial assistance for up to 10 months each academic year to cover educational expenses. The scholarship is payable from the month of admission up to the end of the academic session, including the month of examination. A student who is already getting financial help from another state or central government scheme cannot receive this scholarship.

The District Social Security Officer (DSSO) checks the application and, with the approval of the District Collector, remits the scholarship directly into the bank account of the student. Funds are released in advance for one year and can be rolled over to the next academic session when needed, so the payment reaches the student without delay.

Eligibility

To get the scholarship, a student has to meet the conditions given below. The applicant must be a regular student of a recognised educational institution and must not be getting any other financial help from the state or central government.

• The applicant must be a bona fide resident of Odisha.
• The applicant must be a beggar, a child of a beggar, or a destitute child.
• The applicant must be a regular student of a recognised educational institution.
• The total annual family income should not exceed ₹ 2,40,000.
• The applicant should not be receiving any other financial assistance or scholarship from the state or central government.

Application Process

Students can now apply online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal at scholarship.odisha.gov.in. The steps below explain how to apply for the scholarship.

STEP 1 - Go to the official Odisha State Scholarship Portal at scholarship.odisha.gov.in and register as a new user. Existing users can click on the login button directly.

STEP 2 - Enter the Aadhaar number and proceed, then log in with the user ID and password.

STEP 3 - Choose the department name and the scheme name, which is Sahaya Scheme - Pre and Post Matric Scholarship.

STEP 4 - Fill in all the required details such as student, academic, eligibility and bank information in the form.

STEP 5 - Click on the save option to keep the form as a draft, or click on the next button to save and move ahead in the scholarship form.

STEP 6 - Once the preview of the completed form appears, download the form and take a print out. Submit it through the head of the educational institution, who will verify the details and recommend the application to the District Social Security Officer (DSSO).

STEP 7 - After the DSSO checks the application, the District Collector gives the sanction and the scholarship amount is remitted directly into the bank account of the student through direct benefit transfer.

Documents

The following documents are required while applying for the scholarship. Keep them ready before starting the online form.

• Aadhaar Card
• Caste Certificate
• Bonafide Certificate from the school or college
• Income Certificate confirming that family income is under ₹ 2,40,000
• Previous year's marksheet and previous examination certificate
• Bank account details (individual or joint) with the front page of the passbook
• Recent passport size photographs
• Domicile or resident certificate

References

Official Sahaya Scheme Guideline PDF 2026

Odisha State Scholarship Portal

FAQ's

What is Sahaya Scheme - Pre and Post Matric Scholarship?

This is a welfare scheme of the Government of Odisha that supports the education of child beggars, children of beggars and destitute children by giving them a monthly scholarship for up to 10 months in an academic year.

Who is eligible to apply?

Any bona fide student in Odisha who is a beggar, a child of a beggar or a destitute child, and whose family annual income does not exceed ₹ 2,40,000, can apply.

How much scholarship is given?

As per the updated 2026 guidelines, the monthly amount ranges from ₹ 1,000 for pre-matric students to ₹ 2,500 for professional degree and diploma courses.

How is the scholarship amount paid?

The scholarship is paid directly into the bank account of the student. For students below 18 years, a joint account in the name of the father, mother or guardian is used.

How to apply for the scholarship?

Applications are submitted online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal at scholarship.odisha.gov.in, and the form is then recommended by the head of the educational institution to the District Social Security Officer.

What if I am already receiving another scholarship?

You cannot receive benefits under this scheme if you are already getting financial assistance from any other state or central government scholarship program.