Green Passage Scheme is an Odisha government scheme that aims to provide free higher education to children who don’t have biological or adoptive parents.The government scheme aims to make higher education more accessible to all regardless of their financial or familial background. Keep reading to find the eligibility criteria, application process and more.
Overview
| Green Passage Scheme | |
|---|
| Particulars | Detail |
| Launched | 2015 |
| Beneficiaries | Orphans of Odisha |
| Services Offered | Scholarship in the form of Financial support |
| Launched By | Government of Odisha |
| Objective | To offer financial support to orphans in Odisha so that they can pursue higher education |
Read More: Balika Samridhi Yojana
What Is The Green Passage Scheme?
Launched in 2015, the Green Passage Scheme was implemented to bring access to higher education for students who don’t have biological or adoptive parents. This Sarkari scheme has been expanded to include students who have lost their parents due to COVID-19 as well. This scheme enables these students to study as their fees, like application, tuition, hostel etc, will be exempted if they are eligible for this Sarkari Yojana.
Green Passage Scheme Objective
The literacy rate in Odisha is at 72.87% which is slightly lower than the national average. The Government of Odisha has launched multiple initiatives to bring this number up. The main objectives of this government scheme are:
-
Free Higher Education for Orphans: This scheme promises to be a beacon of hope for orphans who want to study further and have a life of dignity but lack the familial financial support to do so.
-
Impact of COVID-19: The plight of the pandemic was that many children became orphans with no one to look after and support them on their journey. This scheme was altered so that those who lost their parents could also be eligible for this scheme.
-
Financial Coverage: The scheme aims to provide comprehensive financial coverage to its beneficiaries from tuition fees to hostel, laboratory, examination fees etc. This govt scheme has tried to cover all bases to minimise the financial burden on the child.
-
Promotion of Higher Education: This scheme also has a long-term goal setting in motion a virtuous cycle in the country where more students can graduate with degrees and they can have a positive effect on the nation’s productivity.
Read more: Financial Support for orphaned children in Kerala
Green Passage Scheme Benefits
The central effort of this government scheme is to provide financial relief to those students who are not able to access higher education due to a lack of familial resources because they are orphans. The main benefits of this scheme are
-
There will be exemptions for expenses such as application, admission/readmission, tuition, examination, hostel admission, laboratory, library, college development, etc.
-
These students will also receive free housing and meals from the institutions.
-
In the case of government institutions, costs will be waived upon acceptance provided the student presents the necessary paperwork.
-
Fees for non-government-aided colleges will be waived at the time of admission and will be refunded by the government once the institution submits the necessary paperwork to the government's Higher Education Department.
-
In non-government unaided institutions, the student will pay for their entrance and then apply for government reimbursement after submitting the necessary paperwork and vouchers to the government's Higher Education Department. For the duration of the course, this reimbursement will not exceed ₹5,00,000.
What Is The State Scholarship Portal?
The government of Odisha strived to streamline the social welfare system in the state and created multiple access points like this portal to make these schemes accessible.
-
The State Government of Odisha developed the State Scholarship Portal of Odisha, an online platform dedicated to providing financial assistance to students from marginalised communities.
-
This portal primarily supports students from SC/ST and OBC categories, helping them continue their education without facing financial obstacles.
-
Through the portal, students from underprivileged communities can pursue their educational goals without the stress of financial barriers.
-
The portal also offers support throughout the application process, promoting educational opportunities, and easing financial burdens for students in need.
Green Passage Scheme Eligibility Criteria
Although it is for everyone, the Green Passage scheme eligibility criteria need to be met to have a baseline parameter on who can access this scheme to avoid misappropriation of funds.
- The student applying for the scheme is only eligible if he/she has
-
No biological or adoptive parents.
-
Lost both parents and has no adoptive parents currently.
-
Lost a single bread-winning parent.
-
Domicile in a Child Care Institution or foster care/ in the care of a guardian or any fit surviving person.
-
The total income of the surviving parent/ guardian/ fit caregiver doesn’t exceed ₹ 8,00,000 as the scholarship is directed towards helping those with acute financial troubles.
-
The student applying must be pursuing higher education at any government or non-government higher education institution like a College or University teaching a general/technical/professional degree of at least 1 year.
Green Passage Scheme Application Process
The process of applying for this scheme has been made completely online to ease accessibility for all. The steps involved are-
Step 1: Access the State Scholarship Portal which is the official website for this scheme.
Step 2: If you are visiting this website for the first time, please create an account by clicking on “Login” and then “Register Here”.
Step 3: Then find the Green Passage Scheme tab and click on “Apply now”.
Step 4: Provide all required details in the fields in the form that appears and upload all required documents.
Step 5: Click on “ Submit Now” once all the details and filled and uploaded.
Read More: The Integrated Child Development Scheme
Green Passage Scheme Documents Required
The application process requires the submission of certain required documents for the application to be processed and catalogued for the right applicant. The required documents are
-
Aadhaar Card
-
Residential Certificate.
-
Bank Account Passbook.
-
Passport-size Photograph.
-
Death Certificate of Parent/Parents.
-
Income Certificate of the Guardian (if applicable).
-
Proof of Enrolment into the Current Course.
-
Passing Certificate / Marksheet of the Previous Educational Qualification.
Green Passage Scheme Selection Process
This scheme is a boon to those who are without a parent who can afford to send them to higher education therefore there is a process to how these beneficiaries are selected-
-
Meeting Eligibility Criteria- Interested students must first determine their eligibility before applying for the Odisha Green Passage Scheme.
-
Excellent academic Record: Applying Candidates need to have a solid academic history. The scholarship is given out according to talent and academic merit.
-
Application Submission: Initially, qualified applicants must complete the application using the official website created by the Odisha government.
-
Document Verification: In this phase, the officials verify that all of the information entered is correct.
-
Merit List: Following the verification process, the top authorities prepare a merit report that takes into account the applicant's family income and academic record.
-
Public Announcement: The results are publicly announced by the officials.
-
Disbursement of Funds: The scholarship money will be transferred straight to the eligible orphan students' bank account linked to their Aadhaar after the results are announced.
Conclusion
The Green Passage Scheme by the government of Odisha it is trying to tackle one of the worst problems we face in India, which are income inequality and access to resources. It wants to empower students with the drive to study and lead a life of dignity by providing financial support at a crucial juncture of their lives. The parameters of the government scheme have been set so that all who need it can access it but safeguards against misappropriation of funds.
For more information and to engage with a community of informed citizens, visit the Jaagruk Bharat Community Page. Get updates, tips, and insights on how to access other such schemes issued by the government of India
