Scholarship (Above VIII Standard)

Scholarship (Above VIII Standard) is a state-level scheme by the Welfare of Differently Abled Persons Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, that gives cash support to differently-abled students studying from the 9th standard up to higher professional courses. The Tamil Nadu government continues to offer this scheme in 2026 for students enrolled in government-recognized schools, colleges, and training centers so that they can cover their educational expenses without money problems.

This scheme is open for the current academic year. Differently-abled students who meet the eligibility rules can apply through the offline process at their District Differently Abled Welfare Officer office. The support is given every year based on the course level the student is studying.

Scholarship (Above VIII Standard) - Introduction

Scholarship (Above VIII Standard) is run by the Welfare of Differently Abled Persons Department to support inclusive education in Tamil Nadu. By offering fixed annual cash support, this scheme helps differently-abled students studying in government-recognized schools, colleges, or specialized training centers to continue their studies without a heavy financial load.

The scheme covers students from the 9th standard all the way to postgraduate, medical, engineering, vocational, and other professional courses. The amount given depends on the level of the course the student is enrolled in.

Key Information

Benefits

Financial support under this scheme is given every year according to the academic level of the student. The fixed annual amounts are as follows:

Eligibility

To apply for this scholarship, a student needs to meet a few basic conditions. The rules are simple and are checked by the department before the support is approved.

• The applicant should be a student currently pursuing an education in a government-recognized school, college, or training center.
• The applicant should hold a certificate identifying them as a differently-abled person.
• The applicant should be enrolled in one of these levels: 9th to 12th standard, degree courses, or postgraduate and professional courses including medical, engineering, and vocational streams.
• The applicant should have secured at least 40% marks in the previous qualifying examination.

Application Process

This scheme is applied for offline. There is no online form for this particular scholarship, so students need to visit the district office in person. Here are the steps to follow:

STEP 1 - Visit the office of the District Differently Abled Welfare Officer during formal working hours.

STEP 2 - Ask the staff assigned to issue and collect applications for the prescribed application form.

STEP 3 - Fill in all the required details accurately and attach photocopies of the mandatory supporting documents, self-attesting them if required.

STEP 4 - Submit the completed and signed application form along with the documents to the District Differently Abled Welfare Officer.

STEP 5 - Request a formal receipt or acknowledgment that includes the date and time of submission and any unique reference number given.

Documents

Students should keep the following documents ready while applying. Having these papers in order makes the process smooth and avoids delays.

• A valid certificate verified by the head of the educational institution.
• The official National Identity Card for the Differently Abled.
• A copy of the marksheet from the previous qualifying examination.

References

Commissionerate for Welfare of the Differently Abled, Tamil Nadu

FAQ's

Who is eligible for the Scholarship (Above VIII Standard)?

Differently-abled students who are studying in government-recognized schools, colleges, or training centers are eligible to apply.

What is the minimum marks requirement for eligibility?

A student should have obtained at least 40% marks in the previous qualifying examination to be eligible for this support.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

There is no specific age limit mentioned for applicants of this scheme.

Can students from private institutions apply?

Yes, students enrolled in government-recognized private institutions are eligible to apply for this support.

Are there any specific disability criteria for eligibility?

The scheme documentation does not specify any particular disability percentage or type, other than being recognized as a differently-abled person.

How much scholarship is given for degree courses?

Students studying degree courses receive ₹6,000 per year under this scheme.

Where should grievances be addressed?

Grievances should be addressed to the Deputy Director (Schemes), Office of the Commissionerate for Welfare of the Differently Abled, No. 5, Kamarajar Salai, Chennai - 600 005.