With it’s center of operation based in India,  the Ministry of Minority Affairs also known as MOMA works tirelessly towards solving the issues related to the notified minority communities which has a mix of Christian, Muslims, Sikh, Buddhist, Parsi and Jain religions. MOMA formulates plans and policies, regulates, coordinates and evaluates the development programmes for the benefit of minority communities of India.

Applicants are availed the opportunity of selecting from 3 phases of this scholarship scheme, depending on which level they hope to pursue their academic aspirations. These 3 phases are:

Pre-matric scholarships, Post-matric scholarships and Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses. The winners that emerge from these national minority scholarships receive a scholarship amount of up to INR 20,000 per annum. The Government of India intends to disburse 30 lakh scholarships under pre-matric scholarship scheme, 5 Lakh scholarships under post-matric scholarship scheme and 60,000 scholarships under merit-cum-means scholarship for technical or professional courses at graduate or postgraduate level.

With that already said, let’s quickly delve into the nitty gritty of the 3 different Scholarship schemes offered by MOMA.

List Of Scholarship Schemes Offered By MOMA

1. Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities

It was founded with the intent to support minority students’ studies at the pre-matric level, the scholarship awards up to INR 600 monthly to students of class 1 to 10. To be eligible to apply for this pre-matric minority scholarship, applicants’ family income must not be more than INR 1 Lakh and their score in the previously concluded examination from which they emerged winners, should not be less than 50%.

2. Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities

The post-matric scholarship scheme is open for minority students studying in class 11 to Ph.D. can apply. The applicant’s family income must not exceed INR 2 Lakhs and their grades in the previously concluded final examination should not be less than 50%. The selected students of this national minority scholarship get a scholarship amount of up to INR 10,000 per annum along with a maintenance amount of up to INR 1200 per month.

3. Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses CS

The merit-cum-means scholarship under the MOMA scheme is geared towards helping students who wish to pursue professional or technical courses at the graduate or postgraduate level. A scholarship amount of up to INR 20,000 per annum is given to the selected students. Under this national minority scholarship, the applicants’ family income must not exceed INR 2.5 Lakhs.

In addition to that, the applicants must have been graded at least 50% marks in their previous final exam in order to be eligible for this minority scholarship.

MOMA Scholarships – Important dates to take note of

These national minority scholarships are generally announced in the month of August every year. The key dates for 2022 scholarship applications are highlighted below.

Name of scholarship and the duration it will Last for applicants to participate.

▪️ Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities (15 November 2021)

▪️ Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities (30 November 2021)

▪️ Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses CS (30 November 2021)

MOMA Scholarship Benefits

The students selected for these minority scholarships receive financial assistance for the entire course in the form of admission, course tuition/ fee and maintenance allowance. The maintenance allowance is given to students for a period of 10 months in an academic year.

Eligibility For MOMA Scholarship Schemes

In order to apply for the national minority scholarships, the students belonging to minority communities must be studying in India in a government or private owned institution.

Below is the full details to consider how eligible one is to pursue a scholarship scheme.

Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities

• Students must be studying in class 1 to 10.
• Students must have scored have at least 50% marks in the previous final exam.
• The annual family income must not exceed INR 1 Lakh.

Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for Minorities

• From class 11 and 12 students  are eligible under this scholarship scheme.
• Students who have taken admission in technical and vocational courses in ITI/Industrial Training Centres affiliated with NCVT (at class 11 & 12 level) can also apply.
• Students who are pursuing Polytechnics and other courses are also eligible to apply.
• Students must have scored at least 50% marks in the previous final exam.
• The annual family income must not be more than INR 2 Lakhs.

Merit-cum-Means Scholarship for Professional and Technical Courses CS

• Students who have taken admission in technical/professional courses at the graduate or postgraduate level are eligible to apply.
• Students must have secured not less than 50% marks in the previous final exam.
• The annual family income must not be more than INR 2.5 Lakhs from all sources.

How do I Apply for this MOMA scholarship?

If on close inspection you find out you are eligible for any of these minority scholarships, then follow these processes to successfully apply.

Step 1: Log into the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) as a new user.

Step 2: For all the spaces provided, fill in the appropriate informations in this order; qualifications, Aadhaar Number, School/College Enrolment Number, Bank details, and the State of Domicile while filling the registration form.

Step 3: An  application ID is generated on the basis of their domicile state. This application ID is also used as the ‘Login ID’ on NSP Portal and future references.

Step 4: Select the relevant scholarship category you are applying under. For example, an applicant studying in class 1 to 10 must choose the pre-matric scholarship scheme while filling the form.

Step 5: Other details like name, date of birth, email ID, identification details and mobile number must be filled correctly.

Step 6: Upload all necessary document and submit the application form.

Essential Documents to be Submitted  

• Applicant’s passport size photo
• Parent/Guardian’s income certificate issued by a competent authority
• Community certificate attested by parent/guardian or self-attested in case the applicant is 18 years old
• Self-attested certificate of previous qualifying exam/board mark sheet
• Bank details and Aadhaar Card for identification purpose
• Residential/Domicile certificate

MOMA Scholarship’s Renewal Policy

Candidates who want to have their various scholarship schemes renewed in the next academic session can go ahead and do so. In order to get the scholarship renewed, the candidates must submit a certificate to prove that they have secured at least 50% marks in the previous year’s examination.

Terms & Conditions guiding application for MOMA scholarships

There are a few terms and conditions that every prospective applicant  must strictly adhere to while applying for these minority scholarships. A quick glance at few of them.

• Not more than two students from a family would receive the scholarship meant for minorities.
• Students must regularly attend classes.
• In case of any violation of institute/school’s discipline or any conditions of the scholarships by the student, the scholarship is liable to be cancelled or suspended.
• Candidates must not provide false information or details to obtain a scholarship as it would lead to terminating the scholarship. If the candidate has been paid the specified scholarship amount, the concerned State/UT Government will retrieve it.
• The candidates receive their scholarship amount directly in their bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• Candidates will not be availed the opportunity to benefit from any other scholarship scheme if he/she is obtaining benefits from MOMA scholarship scheme.

Conclusion

That does it for a quick breakdown of the nature of the MOMA scholarship scheme, applications are on ongoing, you can cease this opportunity and get your academic dreams and aspirations on the road, for a well promising Future.