Two hundred students from economically weaker families from the Jaffna and Eastern Universities have been selected to receive special financial assistance under a scheme launched by the Government of India. This scheme, offering monthly grant assistance for a year, is one of several scholarship schemes India offers. 100 students from the University of Jaffna and 100 students from the Eastern University were selected, the Indian High Commission said.

One student from the University of Jaffna’s Department of Geography appreciates the special financial assistance scheme, “The monthly grant has been instrumental in alleviating financial stress and allowing me to focus more on my studies.” “The financial assistance has enabled me to maintain consistent attendance and concentrate on my coursework without the added burden of financial constraints. It has significantly contributed to my academic performance and overall well-being,” he said. A student from the university’s Department of Political Science said, “This help is very useful.

It was found to be able to cover the cost of monthly education. This grant helped me to purchase books for my education, expenses like photocopying and printing, and also used for my food needs.” Another student pursuing Cultural Tourism in the Faculty of Arts appreciated the assistance in enabling fieldwork and research. India offers about 710 scholarship slots annually to Lankan students, of which over 200 are fully funded scholarships covering full tuition, a monthly sustenance allowance, grants for books and stationery, accommodation, and travel expenses. The scholarships cover undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies in diverse fields ranging from engineering to humanities, science, agriculture, and traditional medicine studies.