Students planning to continue their education in the 2027–28 academic session can look for financial support from charitable foundations, educational trusts and non-profit organisations. There are several organisations in India provide scholarships to students from low-income families, meritorious students, girls pursuing higher education and candidates entering professional courses.
These scholarships help students paying tuition fees, hostel charges, books and other education-related expenses. Some organisations also provide mentoring, career guidance and opportunities to study abroad.
However, scholarship applications for the 2027–28 session have not yet been announced by most organisations. The information below is based on established scholarship programmes and their latest published eligibility rules.
NGO scholarships in India for 2027–28: Overview
The following table brings together major foundation, charitable trust and non-profit scholarship programmes with identifiable official scholarship information.
| Scholarship name | Organisation | Main eligible students | Latest published financial support | 2027–28 application status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azim Premji Scholarship | Azim Premji Foundation | Eligible girl students entering the first year of an undergraduate degree or diploma | ₹30,000 per year | Not announced |
| FAEA Scholarship | Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access | Class 12 pass students and first-year undergraduate students meeting its social and financial criteria | Tuition, maintenance and other eligible education expenses | Not announced |
| Foundation for Excellence Scholarship | Foundation for Excellence | Students entering eligible engineering, medical and law courses | Varies by programme; some awards are ₹50,000 per year | Not announced |
| NorthSouth Foundation Scholarship | NorthSouth Foundation | Meritorious students from economically disadvantaged families | ₹15,000–₹30,000 per year under 2026–27 norms | Not announced |
| Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship | Sitaram Jindal Foundation | Class 11–12, ITI, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate students | Varies by course and category | Not announced |
| Reliance Foundation Scholarships | Reliance Foundation | First-year undergraduate and postgraduate students | Up to ₹2 lakh for UG and ₹6 lakh for PG under 2026–27 programme | Not announced |
| Lila Poonawalla Foundation Scholarships | Lila Poonawalla Foundation | Eligible female students in engineering, nursing, science and postgraduate courses | Depends on course and location | Not announced |
| Tata Trusts Means Grant | Tata Trusts | School students from Class 8 onwards and college students up to graduation | Partial need-based education assistance | Not announced |
| K.C. Mahindra Scholarships | K.C. Mahindra Education Trust | Diploma students and postgraduate applicants, depending on the scheme | Varies by scholarship; PG awards include interest-free loan scholarships | Not announced |
| Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship | Aga Khan Foundation | Students seeking postgraduate education who demonstrate financial need and academic ability | Tuition and living expenses; award is half grant and half loan | Next cycle expected to open in early 2027; 2027–28 details awaited |
| Inlaks Scholarship | Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation | Eligible Indian graduates seeking higher education overseas | Up to USD 120,000 under published rules | Not announced |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Postgraduate Scholarship | Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation | Indian graduates planning postgraduate studies | Interest-free repayable financial assistance | Not announced |
| J.N. Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship | Tata Trusts | Indian graduates pursuing postgraduate studies overseas | Loan scholarship up to ₹20 lakh under published information | Not announced |
1. Azim Premji Scholarship 2027–28
The Azim Premji Foundation provides financial assistance to girl students who want to continue their higher education. The scholarship aims to reduce the financial barriers that may prevent students from entering college.
Under the latest published programme, selected students receive ₹30,000 annually for the duration of their first undergraduate degree or diploma course, which may run for two to five years.
Eligibility under the latest published rules
- The applicant must be a girl student.
- She must have passed both Class 10 and Class 12 as a regular student from a government school or college in an eligible state or union territory.
- She must have taken admission in the first year of a recognised undergraduate degree or diploma course.
- The course must be between two and five years in duration.
- Admission may be in a government institution or a credible private college or university.
The Foundation’s 2026–27 programme included Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and several other states. The eligible state list for 2027–28 must check here later when the new application notice is released.
Scholarship amount: ₹30,000 per year under the latest published rules.
2027–28 application date: Not announced.
Official application information: Azim Premji Scholarship official website.
2. FAEA Scholarship 2027–28
The Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access offers scholarships to students from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. It supports students pursuing undergraduate education in different academic fields.
The latest published 2026–27 notification invited applications from students who had passed Class 12 or were studying in the first year of an undergraduate course.
Courses covered
- Arts
- Commerce
- Science
- Engineering
- Medical and other professional disciplines
- Technical and vocational courses, where covered by the programme
Eligibility under the latest notice
- Applicants must have passed Class 12 from a recognised board or be in the first year of an undergraduate course.
- The programme gives consideration to students from SC, ST, OBC and BPL backgrounds.
- Certain need-cum-merit grants may also be available to general-category students who meet the stated academic and financial conditions.
Financial assistance: Depending on the applicant’s eligibility and the Foundation’s rules, support may cover tuition fees, maintenance allowance, hostel and mess charges, and other approved expenses.
The 2026–27 notification offered 30 scholarships and had a closing date of 7 July 2026. The number of awards, eligibility conditions and application dates for 2027–28 have not been announced.
Official website: FAEA scholarship application information.
3. Foundation for Excellence Scholarship 2027–28
The Foundation for Excellence helps academically capable students from financially disadvantaged families pursue professional education.
Its scholarship programmes cover selected engineering, medical and integrated law courses. The Foundation also works with corporate partners to provide programme-specific scholarships.
Eligible courses under the latest published programmes
- BE and BTech
- Integrated five-year MTech
- MBBS
- Five-year integrated law courses
Eligibility under the published 2026–27 WSP-FFE programme
- Applicants must be Indian citizens.
- They must be entering the first year of an eligible course.
- Admission must be based on an eligible entrance examination and general merit rank.
- Combined gross annual family income must not exceed ₹4 lakh.
- Applicants must meet the relevant academic and entrance-rank requirements.
Scholarship support: The published WSP-FFE programme provides ₹50,000 per year until graduation, subject to continued eligibility and renewal conditions. Other FFE-linked programmes may have different award amounts.
The Foundation also provides mentorship, skill-building and networking opportunities through certain partner programmes.
2027–28 application date and award amount: Not announced.
Official website: Foundation for Excellence scholarship programme.
4. NorthSouth Foundation Scholarship 2027–28
The NorthSouth Foundation provides scholarships to meritorious students from economically disadvantaged families. Its programme supports students entering selected professional and technical courses.
Courses included in the latest published guidelines
- BE and BTech
- Engineering diploma
- MBBS
- Integrated BA/BSc-BEd courses at eligible NCERT Regional Institutes of Education
Eligibility under the 2026–27 guidelines
- Students must meet the specified Class 10 and Class 12 academic requirements.
- The published guidelines require at least 80% marks in Class 10 and Class 12 for the listed courses.
- Family income limits depend on the state category.
- Entrance-rank conditions apply to engineering and medical applicants.
- Students must meet the course and institution conditions listed by the Foundation.
Scholarship amount under the 2026–27 norms
| Course | Annual amount |
|---|---|
| Engineering diploma | ₹15,000 |
| BE/BTech | ₹25,000 |
| Integrated BEd | ₹25,000 |
| MBBS | ₹30,000 |
2027–28 application date: Not announced.
Official guidelines: NorthSouth Foundation scholarship guidelines.
5. Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship 2027–28
The Sitaram Jindal Foundation offers financial assistance to students at school, diploma and college levels. Students pursuing general, medical and engineering education may apply if they meet the scheme conditions.
Eligible education levels
- Class 11 and Class 12
- ITI
- Diploma
- Undergraduate courses
- Postgraduate courses
- Selected medical and engineering courses
Eligibility under the current published conditions
- The maximum age limit is 30 years.
- Annual family income must generally be within ₹4 lakh for salaried families.
- For other families, the stated income limit is ₹2.5 lakh.
- Applicants must be enrolled in an eligible institution.
- A student can apply only once during the entire duration of a particular course.
Scholarship amount: The amount depends on the student’s course, marks and applicable category. The Foundation publishes separate conditions for different levels of study.
2027–28 application date: Not announced.
Official application portal: Sitaram Jindal Foundation scholarship application.
6. Reliance Foundation Scholarships 2027–28
The Reliance Foundation provides undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships to students enrolled in full-time degree programmes in India.
The programme combines financial assistance with mentoring, leadership development and opportunities to interact with professionals.
Undergraduate scholarship eligibility under the 2026–27 programme
- Applicant must be an Indian citizen.
- Must have passed Class 12 with at least 60% marks.
- Must be enrolled in the first year of a regular full-time undergraduate degree.
- Household income must be below ₹15 lakh.
- The mandatory online aptitude test must be completed.
Postgraduate scholarship: The postgraduate programme supports selected first-year students in specified future-ready disciplines, including engineering, technology, energy and life sciences. Separate academic and aptitude conditions apply.
Scholarship amount under the 2026–27 programme
| Category | Maximum support |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ₹2 lakh |
| Postgraduate | ₹6 lakh |
The Foundation announced 5,000 undergraduate and 100 postgraduate scholarships for 2026–27.
Official website: Reliance Foundation Scholarships.
7. Lila Poonawalla Foundation Scholarships 2027–28
The Lila Poonawalla Foundation supports female students pursuing higher education. Its scholarship programmes cover selected courses and locations.
Courses included in the 2026 schedule
- BE and BTech
- Engineering after diploma
- BSc Nursing
- Science courses
- Postgraduate courses
The 2026 application schedule included students from Pune, Amravati, Wardha, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Course availability and locations may differ in the next academic year.
Who can apply?
Eligibility depends on the selected course and location. Applicants should check the Foundation’s current admission, academic performance, family-income and institution requirements before submitting an application.
Scholarship amount: The award depends on the programme and the student’s eligibility. A single amount should not be assumed for every course.
2027–28 application date: Not announced.
Official website: Lila Poonawalla Foundation scholarship schedule.
8. Tata Trusts Means Grant 2027–28
The Tata Trusts runs education-support programmes through its individual grants initiatives. One of these is the Means Grant Programme, which provides partial financial assistance to students who need help continuing their education.
Eligibility under the published programme
- Indian residents can apply.
- School students from Standard VIII onwards may be considered.
- College students may apply up to graduation.
- Applicants must be enrolled in an institution recognised by the relevant authority.
- Assistance is based on financial need and the programme’s conditions.
Financial support: The grant provides partial assistance on a reimbursement basis. The amount depends on the eligible expenses and the applicable rules.
Tata Trusts also lists separate education initiatives for overseas postgraduate study, research and selected professional courses. These should not be confused with the Means Grant.
2027–28 application date: Not announced.
Official website: Tata Trusts education grants.
9. K.C. Mahindra Education Trust Scholarships 2027–28
The K.C. Mahindra Education Trust provides different scholarship and education-support programmes. These include postgraduate loan scholarships, diploma support and opportunities for students to study at United World Colleges.
K.C. Mahindra Scholarship for Postgraduate Studies
This programme provides interest-free loan scholarships to Indian students pursuing postgraduate studies at selected institutions in India and overseas.
Under the latest published information, the Trust awards a minimum of 50 scholarships each year.
| Award category | Published maximum amount |
|---|---|
| Top three K.C. Mahindra Fellows | Up to ₹10 lakh |
| Other selected scholars | Up to ₹5 lakh |
Applicants must be Indian citizens and should hold a first-class degree or an equivalent diploma.
Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship
The Trust also runs the Mahindra All India Talent Scholarship for eligible students pursuing diploma education. It is a separate programme with its own academic, income, location and application conditions.
2027–28 application date and award details: Not announced.
Official website: K.C. Mahindra Education Trust scholarships and grants.
10. Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship 2027–28
The Aga Khan Foundation runs an international scholarship programme for students from selected countries, including India. It supports candidates who want to pursue postgraduate education and have limited options to finance their studies.
Eligibility conditions
- Applicants must have an excellent academic record.
- They must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification.
- They must demonstrate genuine financial need.
- They must have admission to a reputable postgraduate institution.
- They must be starting the first year of their postgraduate programme.
- Leadership potential, professional experience and community involvement are also considered.
The programme gives preference to young professionals below 30 years of age.
Financial support: The award covers eligible tuition and living expenses. It is structured as half grant and half loan, meaning 50% of the award must be repaid under the programme’s conditions.
The Foundation states that the 2026–27 application cycle is closed and the next cycle will open in early 2027. The specific 2027–28 application conditions have not yet been published.
Official website: Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme.
11. Inlaks Scholarship 2027–28
The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation provides scholarships to talented Indian graduates seeking higher education at selected institutions overseas.
The scholarship supports students in eligible academic fields across universities in the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.
Eligibility under the latest published rules
- Applicant must hold an Indian passport and be resident in India at the time of application.
- Applicant must hold a degree from a recognised Indian university or meet the Foundation’s final-year eligibility conditions.
- The candidate must have secured admission to the chosen institution and course.
- Minimum academic grades apply and vary by subject.
- Certain subjects and professional courses are excluded.
Scholarship amount: The published award can cover tuition fees, living expenses, one-way travel, visa costs and a health allowance, up to USD 120,000, subject to the Foundation’s conditions.
The 2026 application cycle is closed. The 2027–28 application schedule has not been announced.
Official website: Inlaks Scholarship official details.
12. Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship 2027–28
The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation offers merit-based financial assistance to Indian students planning to pursue postgraduate education.
The programme provides interest-free, repayable financial assistance, rather than a non-repayable scholarship grant.
Eligible fields under the published programme
- Pure sciences
- Applied sciences
- Social sciences
- Humanities
- Engineering
- Law
- Management
The Foundation assesses applicants on their academic record and other selection requirements. Its application process generally begins in January for each academic year, according to its published information.
Financial assistance: The amount and repayment terms are governed by the Foundation’s current programme conditions.
2027–28 application date: Not announced.
Official website: Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation postgraduate scholarship.
13. J.N. Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship 2027–28
The J.N. Tata Endowment, administered through Tata Trusts, supports Indian students seeking postgraduate education overseas.
It is a long-running education financing programme established in 1892. Unlike a regular grant, the award is a repayable loan scholarship.
Eligibility and course details
- Applicants must be Indian students.
- The programme supports overseas master’s, PhD and postdoctoral studies.
- Students from different academic streams may apply.
- Selection is based on merit and the Endowment’s assessment requirements.
Loan scholarship amount: The latest published information lists a maximum loan scholarship of ₹20 lakh. The loan is repayable under the Endowment’s schedule, with repayment collected in five equal instalments from the end of the third year.
2027–28 application date: Not announced.
Official website: Tata Trusts education grants and J.N. Tata Endowment.
NGO scholarship application dates for 2027–28
The following schedule is a reference based on the latest available information:
| Organisation | Previous application period or update | 2027–28 status |
|---|---|---|
| Azim Premji Foundation | Round 2 of the 2026 cohort is scheduled for 10–31 January 2027 | New 2027–28 schedule awaited |
| FAEA | 2026–27 applications closed on 7 July 2026 | Awaiting notification |
| Foundation for Excellence | 2026–27 programme applications were listed from August 2026 | Awaiting notification |
| NorthSouth Foundation | Previous online deadline was 31 October 2026 | Awaiting notification |
| Sitaram Jindal Foundation | Online scholarship application facility is available | 2027–28 rules awaited |
| Reliance Foundation | 2026–27 applications were announced in August 2026 | Awaiting notification |
| Lila Poonawalla Foundation | 2026 course-wise application schedule began in August | Awaiting notification |
| Tata Trusts | 2026–27 Means Grant applications were being accepted | Awaiting notification |
| K.C. Mahindra Education Trust | 2026 scholarship cycle had separate deadlines for different programmes | Awaiting notification |
| Aga Khan Foundation | Next international scholarship cycle expected to open in early 2027 | Exact 2027–28 details awaited |
| Inlaks Foundation | 2026 applications closed | Awaiting notification |
| Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation | Postgraduate applications are generally invited in January | 2027–28 schedule awaited |
| J.N. Tata Endowment | Annual application cycle for overseas higher education | 2027–28 schedule awaited |
Documents required for NGO scholarships
Most scholarship providers ask applicants to submit documents to verify their identity, academic performance, admission and financial background. Following is the commonly required documents:
- Aadhaar card or another valid identity document
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Class 10 marksheet
- Class 12 marksheet
- Latest college or university marksheet
- Admission letter or bonafide certificate
- Current academic-year fee receipt
- Family income certificate
- Parent or guardian income proof, where required
- Bank passbook or bank account details
- Entrance examination scorecard, where applicable
- Caste certificate, if applicable
- Disability certificate, if applicable
- Passport and overseas admission documents for international scholarships
How to apply for NGO scholarships in India for 2027–28
The application process varies between organisations. However, most online applications follow these steps.
Step 1: Select an eligible scholarship
Check the scholarship’s education level, course requirements, income limits and other conditions. A scholarship intended for first-year engineering students, for example, may not accept applications from students already studying in the second year.
Step 2: Visit the official website
Open the website of the foundation or trust. Find its scholarship section and check whether the 2027–28 application notification has been released.
Step 3: Complete registration
Enter the required personal details, mobile number and email address. Use contact information that will remain accessible throughout the selection process.
Step 4: Fill in academic and family details
Provide your educational information, institution details, course information and family income details as requested.
Step 5: Upload supporting documents
Upload the marksheets, admission proof, income certificate, bank details and other required documents.
Step 6: Submit the application
Review all the information before submitting the form. Save the acknowledgement or application number.
Step 7: Check the application status
Visit the official portal regularly to check for document verification, interview details, selection results or further instructions.
How to check NGO scholarship application status
After submitting the scholarship application you can check its progress through the relevant organisation’s portal.
- Visit the official scholarship website.
- Open the applicant login or application status section.
- Enter your registered email address, mobile number or application ID.
- Complete the login process.
- Check whether the application is submitted, under review, shortlisted, approved or rejected.
- Follow any instructions shown on the portal.
The status labels and verification process may differ between scholarship providers.
FAQs: NGO Scholarships in India 2027–28
1. Which NGO scholarships are available in India for 2027–28?
Major established programmes include Azim Premji Scholarship, FAEA Scholarship, Foundation for Excellence Scholarship, NorthSouth Foundation Scholarship, Sitaram Jindal Foundation Scholarship, Reliance Foundation Scholarships, Lila Poonawalla Foundation Scholarships and Tata Trusts education grants.
2. Are NGO scholarship applications for 2027–28 open?
Most organisations have not yet announced their 2027–28 application dates. Students should check here or on the official websites for fresh notifications regularly.
3. Can Class 12 pass students apply for NGO scholarships?
Yes. Some programmes accept students who have passed Class 12 and are entering undergraduate education. FAEA, Azim Premji Foundation and Reliance Foundation have published eligibility conditions for such students in their previous scholarship cycles.
4. Are NGO scholarships available for engineering students?
Yes. Foundation for Excellence, NorthSouth Foundation, Lila Poonawalla Foundation and certain K.C. Mahindra Education Trust programmes have offered support for eligible engineering or diploma students.
5. Can girls apply for special NGO scholarships?
Yes. The Azim Premji Scholarship and Lila Poonawalla Foundation Scholarships are examples of programmes that support female students pursuing higher education.
6. Are NGO scholarships available for postgraduate students?
Yes. Students planning postgraduate education can check programmes such as the K.C. Mahindra Scholarship, Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship, Inlaks Scholarship and Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship. Some of these provide repayable financial assistance rather than grants.
7. Do NGO scholarships provide money directly to students?
The payment method depends on the provider. Some organisations transfer financial assistance to the student’s bank account, while others reimburse eligible education expenses or pay institutions directly.
8. Can students apply for two NGO scholarships at the same time?
This depends on the terms of each scholarship. Some providers allow multiple applications, while others restrict students who are already receiving another scholarship. Applicants should check the conditions of both programmes.
9. Do students need to pay an application fee?
Application fee rules vary. Some foundations explicitly state that applications are free, while certain postgraduate loan scholarship programmes may charge a registration fee. Always check the official instructions before making a payment.