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Students with disabilities also want to study at big universities abroad, but the cost of studying abroad is very high. The National Overseas Scholarship for Students with Disabilities (NOS-SWD) bears exactly this cost. It is a scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE). It opens the doors of world-class universities to students who would otherwise never be able to afford them. A selected student gets full tuition fees for a Masters or PhD abroad and a maintenance allowance of $15,400 a year. Every year 20 students are selected, of whom 6 seats are reserved for women. This scholarship is different from the Q377 fellowship for PhD in India — this one is only for study abroad.
How much money is given
The NOS-SWD scholarship pays as follows.
- Full tuition fees — the Government pays the fees of the foreign university.
- Maintenance allowance: $15,400 a year — for the USA and other countries; £9,900 a year for the UK.
- Contingency: $1,500 a year — for the USA and other countries; £1,100 a year for the UK.
- Airfare and visa costs — paid by the Government.
- Duration: up to 3 years for a Masters, up to 4 years for a PhD.
- Number: 20 scholarships a year, of which 6 are reserved for women.
The amount is paid directly to the student and reviewed every year during the course.
Who can apply
This scholarship is for students with disabilities.
- The applicant must be a student with a disability.
- Age below 35 years.
- 55% marks — 55% in the Bachelor’s degree for a Masters, 55% in the Masters for a PhD.
- Family income not more than ₹6 lakh a year.
- At most 2 children per family can take this scholarship.
- Fields: Engineering and Management, Pure and Applied Sciences, Agricultural Science and Medicine, Commerce, Accounting and Finance, Humanities, Social Science and Fine Arts.
How to apply
Applications are made online on the nosmsje.gov.in portal. First check the new notice on the portal, then fill the application and upload the disability certificate, academic certificates, income certificate and the offer of admission from the foreign university. The process for this scholarship usually runs between February and April, but trust only the notice given on the official portal for the new dates. Never pay anyone for applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How much money is given under NOS-SWD? A: Full tuition fees and a $15,400 yearly allowance (£9,900 for the UK), plus airfare and visa costs. Q2: How many students are selected every year? A: 20 students, of whom 6 seats are reserved for women. Q3: Who can apply? A: Students with disabilities below 35 years of age, with 55% marks and family income not more than ₹6 lakh a year. Q4: Where do I apply? A: On the nosmsje.gov.in portal; the process usually runs between February and April.
Useful links
- NOS portal: https://www.nosmsje.gov.in/
- MSJE official website: https://socialjustice.gov.in/
- NOS-SWD on MyScheme: https://www.myscheme.gov.in/schemes/nos-swd
- Also see the National Overseas Scholarship for SC Students: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/central-government-national-overseas-scholarship-sc-haryana/
- Next Action: see all 726 Central Government schemes — https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/kendra-sarkar-ki-yojnayen-2/
