Delays in scholarship disbursement: Department of Collegiate Education warns colleges against taking action on students

The Department of Collegiate Education has warned government and aided colleges against taking action against students due to delays in scholarship disbursements. Delays in sanctioning or disbursing State or Central scholarships are administrative issues and not the students' fault, according to the department. Students should not be barred from attending classes, practicals, or exams, nor evicted from hostels due to pending scholarship-linked fee payments, the department emphasized.

Marksheets or certificates cannot be withheld due to outstanding fees linked to scholarships, and the department will take action if these guidelines are violated. Gopal Krishna H.N., Collegiate Education Commissioner, stated that the Supreme Court's guidelines prohibit adverse actions against students due to scholarship disbursement delays.

There are 440 government first-grade colleges and 321 aided colleges in the state, housing over 8,00,000 students. Many students receive scholarships through various departments, including the Social Welfare Department, Backward Classes Welfare Department, and others, with the government paying college fees for eligible female students.

Some scholarships range from ₹2,000 to ₹23,000, covering all expenses for students living in government hostels. However, many college administrations are pressuring students to pay fees themselves due to scholarship disbursement delays, as some educational institutions warn that non-payment will result in students being barred from attending classes or exams.

An audit is underway in colleges, leading to objections regarding non-payment of scholarships, prompting some institutions to pressure students to pay up.