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An analysis of scholarship applications for the 2022-2023 period showed that out of 25.5 lakh applicants, there were more than 6.7 lakh non-existence.
Scholarship scam should be known about parents and their wards (representative/file photo)
As the results of the board examination are being announced and admission in the college is starting, a new wave of scholarship scams is emerging, targeting students and their families. These scams take advantage of the hopes of students receiving financial assistance for higher education. Scholarship scams include fraudsters who present financial assistance as legitimate organizations. They can create fake websites or send emails promising scholarships, requesting personal information, application fees or bank details. Once they get this information, they can use it for identity theft or financial fraud.
According to a report by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, 830 of 1,572 minority institutions under investigation were found to be fake or non-functional, accounting for about 53 percent of the total. Due to this, Rs 144.83 crore was misused in five years, the purpose of funds for the education of minority students.
The analysis of scholarship applications for the period of 2022-2023 showed that out of 25.5 lakh applicants, there were more than 6.7 lakh non-existence. Biometric verification procedures indicated that only 30 percent renewal applicants were real, taking advantage of the system, highlighting a significant number of fake beneficiaries.
Here are some scholarship scams:
Himachal Pradesh: Officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were allegedly involved in a scholarship scam of Rs 250 crore. For Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other Backward Classes (OBC) students, these funds were allegedly misunderstood by the authorities for scholarship. Price worth Rs 18.27 crore has been seized in relation to the case.
Tripura: The government of Tripura plans to register an FIR against 34 students, which is suspected of using false income certificate to receive later scholarships.
Uttar pradesh: A scholarship scam of Rs 1.16 lakh was exposed in 2010-11. Scholarship for 116 children in Meerut means sent to a madrasa account and children were distributed in cash. However, irregularities were detected, and on August 28, 2019, FIRs were filed against various madrasas for these discrepancies at the Economic Offenses Police Station in Merut.
To avoid falling into any such scam, students and parents have to verify about those institutions and scholarships provided by them. This includes physical verification of the institute and checking with students who have taken advantage of the first plan.
