Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, implemented by the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha, helps eligible students continue higher education after Class 10 by providing course fee reimbursement and annual maintenance assistance. Eligible applicants can submit their scholarship application online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal after completing One Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal (NSP).
Odisha Post Matric Scholarship Scheme Highlights | |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Post Matric Scholarship Scheme |
| Implementing Department | ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department |
| Objective | Provide financial assistance for post matric education |
| Eligible Categories | ST, SC, OBC, SEBC and EBC students |
| Income Limit | Up to Rs. 2,50,000 per annum |
| Additional Eligibility | OBC, SEBC and EBC students must secure at least 50% marks in the last qualifying examination |
| Benefits Available | Course fee reimbursement and annual maintenance allowance |
| Special Facility | Freeship Card for eligible students |
| Application Process | Online through OSSP after mandatory NSP OTR |
| Application Portal | Odisha State Scholarship Portal |
| OTR Requirement | Mandatory registration on National Scholarship Portal (NSP) |
| Helpline Numbers | 155335, 1800-345-6770 |
| Official Website | stsc.odisha.gov.in |
Introduction of Odisha Post Matric Scholarship Scheme: A Brief Insight
Higher education often becomes difficult for many students from ST, SC, OBC, SEBC, and EBC communities due to financial challenges faced by their families. To ensure that deserving students do not discontinue their studies after Class 10, the Government of Odisha implements the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme through the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department.
The scheme is administered by the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha. Its primary objective is to reduce the financial burden on students by covering educational expenses and providing maintenance support throughout their post-matric studies.
Under this scheme, eligible students can receive course fee reimbursement along with an annual maintenance allowance. The scholarship supports students studying in recognised Government, Government-aided, and private institutions across various post-matric courses.
To become eligible, the annual family income of the applicant must not exceed Rs. 2,50,000. Students belonging to OBC, SEBC, and EBC categories must also secure at least 50% marks in their last qualifying examination.
The application process is conducted online through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal. Before submitting the scholarship application, students must first complete their mandatory One Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal.
For any assistance related to registration, application submission, or scholarship status, students can contact the scholarship helpline at 155335 or 1800-345-6770.
Girl students can also explore the Bannishree Scholarship Scheme, while students planning higher studies abroad may benefit from the Bidesh Shikhya Bruthi Scheme. Students can also check the Central Government’s PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme and PM Internship Scheme for additional educational and career support.
Students looking for more scholarship programmes, educational assistance schemes, and welfare initiatives can explore our dedicated Odisha Government Welfare Schemes List page, where all major schemes of the Government of Odisha are available in one place.
Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries
The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme provides financial assistance to help students continue higher education without the burden of educational expenses. The scholarship covers both academic costs and maintenance support, depending on the course and category of the student.
Financial Assistance Available Under the Scheme
- Course Fee Reimbursement based on the approved fee structure, subject to the prescribed ceiling or actual fee, whichever is lower.
- Maintenance Allowance to support study-related and living expenses during the academic year.
- Scholarship benefits vary according to the course group and whether the student is a hosteller or day scholar.
Mode of Scholarship Payment
- Scholarship amount is released on a yearly basis.
- Funds are transferred directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Additional Benefit Through Freeship Card
Eligible students may also obtain a Freeship Card, which serves as proof of scholarship eligibility. This facility helps students secure admission without paying the approved course fee upfront, subject to the applicable rules of the institution.
Note: The maintenance allowance and fee reimbursement amount differ across course categories. Students should refer to the latest scholarship guidelines issued by the Government of Odisha to check the exact benefits applicable to their course.
Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled
The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme is available to eligible students belonging to reserved and economically weaker communities in Odisha. Applicants must satisfy the category, income, and educational requirements prescribed by the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department.
- Applicant must be a permanent resident of Odisha.
- Must belong to the ST, SC, OBC, SEBC, or EBC category.
- Must be pursuing a recognised post-matric course in a Government, Government-Aided, or Private institution approved by the competent authority.
- Annual family income should not exceed Rs. 2,50,000.
Additional Eligibility for OBC, SEBC, and EBC Students
Students belonging to the OBC, SEBC, and EBC categories must have secured at least 50% marks in their last qualifying examination to become eligible for the scholarship. This minimum marks requirement does not apply to SC and ST students.
Important Conditions to Remember
- The scholarship cannot be claimed for the same level of education in another stream or subject. For example, a student who has already completed +2 Arts cannot claim the scholarship again for +2 Science.
- Distance learning or correspondence courses are eligible only if they are offered by a Central University or State University.
- Courses offered by non-university distance education institutions are not covered under the scheme.
Who Is Not Eligible
- Students who do not belong to the ST, SC, OBC, SEBC, or EBC categories.
- Applicants whose annual family income exceeds Rs. 2,50,000.
- OBC, SEBC, or EBC students securing less than 50% marks in the last qualifying examination.
- Students seeking scholarship benefits for a repeated educational stage in a different stream or subject.
Documents Required to be Attached
To apply for the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, students must submit documents related to their category, family income, educational qualification, and bank account details. Keeping all documents ready in advance can help avoid delays during the application process.
- Caste Certificate issued by the competent authority for SC, ST, OBC, or SEBC applicants
- Self Declaration Certificate for students applying under the EBC category
- Income Certificate of the parent or guardian showing income within the prescribed limit
- Copy of the student’s Aadhaar Card
- Clear copy of the first page of the bank passbook
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Disability Certificate for Divyang students, wherever applicable
- Hostel Bonafide Certificate for students residing in a hostel or boarding facility
- Institute Declaration Certificate for applicants studying outside their home state
- Educational certificates and marksheets from Matriculation onwards
- Marksheet of the last qualifying examination
How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme
Applying for the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme is completely online. Before filling out the Odisha scholarship application, you must first complete a One Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal. Follow the steps below carefully to avoid any mistakes during the application process.
Step 1: Open the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and complete your One Time Registration (OTR). This is the first and most important step because you cannot apply for the scholarship without a valid OTR number.
Step 2: After successful registration, save your OTR Number safely. You will need this number while applying on the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
Step 3: Now visit the official Odisha State Scholarship Portal (OSSP).
Step 4: Click on the registration option and complete your account creation using Aadhaar-based OTP verification.
Step 5: Log in to your account and enter the OTR Number generated through the National Scholarship Portal when asked.
Step 6: Select Post Matric Scholarship Scheme from the list of available scholarships and choose your applicable category such as ST, SC, OBC, SEBC, or EBC.
Step 7: Fill in all required details carefully, including your personal information, educational qualifications, institution details, category information, family income, and bank account details.
Step 8: Upload the required documents such as your caste certificate or self-declaration certificate, income certificate, Aadhaar Card, bank passbook, photograph, marksheets, and other supporting documents prescribed under the scheme.
Step 9: Before submitting the form, check every detail once again to ensure there are no errors. After verification, submit the application and keep a copy of your Application Reference Number for future use.
If You Need a Freeship Card
Step 10: Students who wish to secure admission without depositing the approved course fee in advance can separately apply for a Freeship Card through the same Odisha State Scholarship Portal (OSSP), subject to eligibility.
Important: After submission, your application goes through multiple verification stages. First, your institution verifies the details, followed by scrutiny by the concerned District Welfare Office (DWO). You can check your scholarship status anytime on the portal using your Application Number, Aadhaar Number, or registered credentials.
How Course Groups Affect Your Post Matric Scholarship Benefits
Under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme, eligible students do not receive the same maintenance allowance amount. The Government of Odisha categorises approved courses into four different groups, and your scholarship benefits are calculated according to the group in which your course falls.
Generally, students enrolled in professional and technical courses receive higher maintenance assistance compared to those pursuing general academic programmes. The hosteller or day scholar status of the student also plays an important role in determining the final scholarship amount.
| Course Group | Courses Covered |
|---|---|
| Group I | Professional Degree and Postgraduate courses such as Engineering, Medical, Law, Management, Chartered Accountancy and similar professional programmes |
| Group II | Professional Degree or Diploma courses including Pharmacy, Nursing, Hotel Management, Agriculture and other recognised technical programmes |
| Group III | General Degree and Postgraduate courses such as BA, B.Sc, B.Com, MA, M.Sc, M.Com and equivalent programmes |
| Group IV | Post Matric non-degree courses including Class XI, Class XII, ITI, Polytechnic Diploma and other approved certificate-level programmes |
Important: The maintenance allowance payable under the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme increases from Group IV to Group I. Students pursuing professional and technical courses generally receive higher assistance. The final scholarship amount also depends on whether the applicant is a hosteller or a day scholar.
Important Links Available of the Scheme
- Odisha State Scholarship Portal for Post Matric Scholarship Application and Status Check
- ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department Official Website
- Post Matric Scholarship Scheme Official Information Page
Contact Details in Case of Help Needed
- Nodal Department: ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha
- Toll-Free Helpline: 155335, 1800-345-6770
- Local Level: Contact your District Welfare Office (DWO)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Ans. The Post Matric Scholarship Scheme is a scholarship programme implemented by the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha. It provides financial assistance to eligible students belonging to SC, ST, OBC, SEBC, and EBC categories who are pursuing post-matric studies.
Ans. Permanent residents of Odisha belonging to SC, ST, OBC, SEBC, or EBC communities and studying in a recognised post-matric course can apply, subject to the prescribed income and eligibility conditions.
Ans. The annual family income of the applicant should not exceed Rs. 2,50,000 to become eligible for the scholarship.
Ans. Yes. Students belonging to OBC, SEBC, and EBC categories must secure at least 50% marks in their last qualifying examination. This condition does not apply to SC and ST students.
Ans. Eligible students can receive course fee reimbursement and maintenance allowance. The amount varies depending on the course category and whether the student is a hosteller or day scholar.
Ans. Applicants must first complete their One Time Registration (OTR) on the National Scholarship Portal and then submit the scholarship application through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal.
Ans. A Freeship Card is a facility provided to eligible students that helps them secure admission without depositing the approved course fee in advance, subject to the applicable rules.
Ans. No. The scholarship is not available for pursuing the same stage of education again in a different stream or subject.
Ans. Yes. Such courses are eligible only when they are offered by a recognised Central University or State University.
Ans. Applicants may need documents such as a caste certificate or self-declaration certificate, income certificate, Aadhaar Card, bank passbook, photograph, educational certificates, and marksheets, depending on their category and course.
Ans. The scholarship amount is transferred directly to the student’s Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Ans. Students can track their application status through the Odisha State Scholarship Portal using their Application Number, Aadhaar Number, or login credentials.
Ans. Students can contact the scholarship helpline at 155335 or 1800-345-6770. Assistance is also available through the concerned District Welfare Office and educational institution.
Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.