From Opportunity to Transformation: The Power of Scholarships

To students from low economic backgrounds, who often have attended government schools free of cost, the many fees associated with college serve as a barrier to higher education once they graduate high school. Need-based scholarships are an impactful way of addressing that education gap, as they provide financial support to students that enable them to continue to study. Support is multi-faceted and encompass a part or all of the college fees, as well as support with books, uniforms, transport, and other logistics. 

In partnership with various donors, UWBe have supported students in rural areas with scholarships and mentorship support, with 1,284 students receiving scholarships through UWBe in the year 2023-24 alone.

Why invest in scholarships?

1. Financial support to deserving students from economically weaker sections to pursue higher education 
2. Provide mentorship to students to enhance their life skills, employability and competency levels
3. Focus on girls from underprivileged backgrounds to help them break free from financial and social constraints and pursue career in the STEM fields

The provision of scholarships to individuals has been inspiring, and the stories of motivation and resilience shared below offer a glimpse into the many ways these scholarships have positively impacted their lives.

Alleviating financial burden on family:

Madan had enrolled in a BA program, where he balanced studies with daily-wage work along with his father to continue to bring an income to the family. Now, having graduated and secured a full-time job at an Interior Design firm, he reflects that he likely would not have completed his degree without the scholarship support. Those 3 years of support gave an opportunity to focus on his studies without putting additional pressure on his family. 

A chance to earn:

The eldest daughter of a single mother, Deepika would never have had the opportunity to go to college. Their family relied on her mother’s modest tea stall, the public distribution system, and occasional help from relatives to get by. However, receiving scholarship supported Deepika to complete 2 years of PUC and 3 years of college, graduating with a BSc in 2023. Now, she has moved from her village to the Bengaluru city where she is employed as a Staffing Analyst, with an income that can support her mother and younger sister. As the sole earner, she has become the backbone of her household, replacing uncertainty with hope and stability. 

A boon for rural students 

With the rural areas facing limited connectivity, requiring students to walk long distances to access infrequent transport to their colleges, scholarships have helped reduce this limitation by enabling students, for instance Naganahalli village (Bangarpet) to complete their degrees in their own village without travelling to far of areas.

Addressing gender inequalities

Girls in rural villages are often married immediately after they complete school, post which they are confined to the role of mother and family maker. Scholarships have helped to encourage parents to educate their daughters before rushing into marriage, while the mentorship sessions also express the importance of education upon the students themselves.

Revathi got married during her first year of B.Com, but as a scholarship recipient, her family was encouraged to allow her to finish her degree. While studying, she was motivated to offer tutoring sessions for children in her village, which boosted her confidence. Although she has paused her tutoring since having two children, she now expresses her aspirations to restart her tuition sessions in the near future.

Providing scholarships to rural individuals is a powerful catalyst for change, opening doors to education and earning opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. These scholarships not only ease financial burdens but also inspire personal growth, and empower individuals to find good job opportunities. By investing in the education of rural populations, we, at UWBe are helping to break the cycle of poverty, nurture talent, and sustain a life for themselves.