Updates on UP Scholarship Applications and Disbursements: What You Need to Know
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect millions worldwide, the education sector is one of the most affected. Students from vulnerable backgrounds are finding it hard to continue with their studies because of the economic hardships caused by the pandemic. The situation is not any better for students in Uttar Pradesh who rely on scholarships to finance their education. In this article, we explore the recent updates on UP scholarship applications and disbursements and provide essential information that students need to know.
Introduction
The Uttar Pradesh government provides scholarships to students from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes, and minority communities. The scholarships aim to provide financial assistance to help students from economically weaker sections pursue their education. However, the pandemic has affected the disbursements of these scholarships, leading to confusion and delays.
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Status of Scholarship Applications
The UP scholarship application process for the academic year 2020-21 started on July 24th, 2020. The deadline for submission of applications was extended to November 25th, 2020. As of February 2021, the state government had received over 1.5 crore applications for pre-matric, post-matric, and dashmottar scholarships. Of these applications, about 1.31 crore have been verified, and 95% of eligible applicants received their scholarship amounts.
Disbursements of Scholarship Amounts
The UP scholarship amounts are disbursed directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through nationalized banks or the Uttar Pradesh State Bank of India. The disbursement process has been affected by the pandemic, leading to delays and confusion among students waiting for their scholarship amounts. Initially, the government had set a target of disbursing the scholarship amounts by November 30th, 2020. However, the process has been slow due to slowed-down banking services in the pandemic, leading to a backlog of applications. As of February 2021, the UP government had disbursed scholarship amounts to about 50 lakh students, and more than 11 lakh applications were pending due to various reasons such as incomplete documents, discrepancies in bank account details, and others.
Steps taken by UP Government to Resolve Disbursement Issues
The UP government has taken various measures to resolve the scholarship disbursement issues. One such measure is the introduction of a new software system that automatically credits the scholarship amount to the beneficiary’s bank account after verification. The software is expected to help disburse scholarships quickly and efficiently. Additionally, the government has set up a helpline number for students facing difficulties with their scholarship application and disbursement. The helpline, which operates from 10 am to 6 pm on weekdays, provides assistance on issues such as incorrect bank account details, application status, and verification process.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the pandemic has adversely affected UP scholarship applications and disbursements. The backlog of scholarship amounts due to incomplete documentation and other issues has led to delays and distress among students. However, the measures taken by the UP government, such as the introduction of the new software system and helpline number, are commendable, and they are expected to result in a quicker and more efficient scholarship disbursement process. Students are encouraged to keep track of their application status, ensure their bank account details are correct, and contact the helpline if they face any issues.
