India offers a rich network of state-funded scholarships for college students, in addition to central schemes. These scholarships cater to SC/ST/OBC/EWS/minority students, and often cover full tuition fees, maintenance allowance, hostel support, and more.
In this blog, we compare some of the top-performing state-level scholarships for college students in 2025–26, including Karnataka SSP, Maharashtra DBT, West Bengal Aikyashree, Punjab SC/OBC, and Kerala LSS/USS follow-up grants.
🔍 Why State Scholarships Matter in 2025–26
Unlike national scholarships that have high competition, state scholarships are localized — meaning you often have a better chance of getting selected if you meet the criteria and apply on time.
They are ideal for:
- Students studying in state universities or private colleges
- Post-Matric (Class 11 onwards) students, including degree, diploma, medical, engineering
- Economically weaker and reserved category students
📊 State Scholarship Comparison Chart (2025–26)
| State | Scholarship Portal | Major Schemes | Application Timeline | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in | SSP Post-Matric (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD), Fee Reimbursement | May–July 2025 | Tuition fee + maintenance + hostel fee |
| Maharashtra | mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in | MahaDBT (Rajarshi Shahu, EBC, Tribal, Minority, SEBC) | June–Aug 2025 | Full tuition, exam fees, ₹10k–₹30k annual stipend |
| West Bengal | wbmdfcscholarship.gov.in | Aikyashree (Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Merit-cum-Means) | July–Sept 2025 | ₹5,000–₹33,000/year depending on course |
| Punjab | scholarships.punjab.gov.in | SC/OBC Post-Matric, Ashirwad, Pre-Matric for minorities | Aug–Oct 2025 | Tuition + maintenance allowance |
| Kerala | dcescholarship.kerala.gov.in | LSS/USS Follow-up, CH Muhammed Koya, ITC Fee Reimbursement | July–Sept 2025 | Varies by scheme – from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 |
📍 1. Karnataka SSP – Seamless & Streamlined
The State Scholarship Portal (SSP) Karnataka is known for its real-time Aadhaar-linked verification and direct benefit transfer to student accounts.
👩🎓 Who Can Apply:
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD students in Karnataka
- Studying in recognized colleges (degree/diploma)
- Annual family income below ₹2.5–₹8 lakh (based on category)
💸 Key Benefits:
- Full tuition + hostel allowance
- Maintenance allowance up to ₹3,500/year
- Digital document upload and Aadhaar seeding
🔔 Make sure your SATS ID and caste/income certificates are verified online.
📍 2. Maharashtra MahaDBT – One Portal for All
The MahaDBT portal hosts over 40 scholarship schemes for various categories, from SC/ST/SEBC/EBC to Minorities and PwD.
👨🎓 Who Can Apply:
- Maharashtra domicile students
- UG, PG, diploma, technical, professional streams
- Income threshold up to ₹8 lakh depending on scheme
💸 Key Benefits:
- Up to 100% tuition & exam fee reimbursement
- Special stipend for technical/professional courses
- Girls may receive additional incentives
📌 Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Post-Matric Scheme is among the most applied.
📍 3. West Bengal Aikyashree – Minority Student Support
Aikyashree, run by WBMDFC, focuses on scholarships for Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Sikh, Jain & Parsi students.
👩🏽🎓 Who Can Apply:
- West Bengal domicile students
- Belonging to notified minorities
- Studying in government or private colleges (Class 11 to PhD)
- Family income under ₹2.5 lakh/year
💸 Key Benefits:
- Post-matric scholarships up to ₹9,300/year (non-hostellers)
- Hostel students may get up to ₹33,000
- Special merit scholarship for 60%+ scorers
📌 Aikyashree accepts NSP-linked application for MCM & post-matric.
📍 4. Punjab SC/OBC Scholarships – Ashirwad Scheme
The Punjab Scholarship Portal runs the Ashirwad scheme for SC/OBC students. Administered under post-matric provisions, it offers tuition & hostel fee waivers.
🎓 Who Can Apply:
- SC/ST/OBC students
- Punjab domicile
- Income ceiling varies (₹1–2.5 lakh)
💸 Key Benefits:
- 100% tuition and exam fee coverage
- Annual stipend up to ₹12,000
- Hostel fee waiver (if applicable)
🔔 Ashirwad renewals require manual verification at colleges.
📍 5. Kerala LSS/USS & DCES Scholarships
Kerala offers follow-up scholarships to students who cleared LSS/USS exams and other merit-based incentives via the DCE portal.
👨🔬 Who Can Apply:
- Kerala state board students
- UG/PG enrolled in arts, science, commerce, tech streams
- Must have passed with minimum 50–60%
💸 Key Benefits:
- LSS/USS follow-up grants up to ₹7,500/year
- ITC Fee Reimbursement (technical diploma)
- CH Muhammed Koya for minority girls (up to ₹13,000/year)
📌 Applicants must upload educational certificates and bank passbook online.
🧠 State Scholarship Tips for 2025–26
- ✔️ Domicile certificate is compulsory – Get it from your district officer or via Digilocker
- ✔️ Use a state-linked Aadhaar for automatic verification
- ✔️ Track SMS or email alerts – most portals don’t send reminders after the deadline
- ✔️ Start early in June–July 2025 – some portals auto-close after deadline, no extension
🧾 Final Takeaway
Whether you live in Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Punjab, or Kerala, there are excellent scholarships for college students at the state level that can support your entire education journey in 2025–26.
The key is:
- Apply through the official state portal only
- Upload accurate documents with correct format
- Renew each year with new income proof and marksheets
With proper tracking and on-time submission, state-level scholarships can fully fund your UG/PG studies and beyond.
