Sahaay Scholarship Program · Academic Year 2026–27

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Sahaay — meaning help and support in Sanskrit — funds deserving students across India directly through their institutions. Because a child's future should never be decided by their family's income.

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Applications Now Open

Scholarships Available for
Academic Year 2026–2027

Deadline: June 30, 2026  ·  Up to 8 students funded across 4 categories

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Scholarships Mentorship School Fees College Support Vocational Training Coaching & Exam Prep First-Generation Learners India Education for All Scholarships Mentorship School Fees College Support Vocational Training Coaching & Exam Prep First-Generation Learners India Education for All
"Talent is everywhere.
Opportunity is not.
Sahaay exists to close that gap — one student, one story at a time."
Our Founding Belief
About Sahaay

Why We Exist

Sahaay — meaning help and support in Sanskrit — is a personal scholarship initiative dedicated to removing financial barriers that prevent deserving students from accessing education.

Founded by a private individual with the backing of close family and friends, Sahaay starts with a simple but powerful belief: the right student should never be held back by the wrong circumstances.

Every application is read with care, every decision is made thoughtfully, and every selected student is communicated with directly. Funds are paid straight to the institution — ensuring every rupee reaches exactly where it is meant to go.

Sahaay is committed to growing — in the number of students funded, the depth of mentorship offered, and the community built around education.

What We Fund

Four Categories of Support

Up to 2 students funded per category in 2026–27 — covering the full educational journey from primary school to professional preparation.

School Fees (K–12)

Tuition fees, books, uniforms, and school supplies for school-going students aged 6 to 18. Financial barriers should never be the reason a child misses school.

Ages 6–18 · Primary & Secondary

College & University

Undergraduate and postgraduate tuition fees, books, and equipment at recognised institutions. For students who have the ability to go further but not the means.

Higher Education · Books & Equipment

Vocational Training

Trade schools, ITI programs, skill development courses, and professional certifications. Every path is valid — and every path deserves support.

Skills · Trades · Certifications

Coaching & Exam Prep

JEE, NEET, UPSC, and other competitive exam coaching. The difference between clearing an exam and missing it should never come down to money.

JEE · NEET · UPSC · State Exams
Who Can Apply

Eligibility

Sahaay is open to students across all of India. There is no restriction based on religion, caste, gender, or region. Applicants must demonstrate:

  • Genuine financial need — family income that is not sufficient to meet educational costs
  • Enrollment or confirmed admission in a recognised school, college, or vocational institution
  • Academic potential, aptitude, or a strong personal motivation to learn
  • A compelling personal story that reflects resilience, determination, or exceptional circumstances
  • Quality references from a teacher, principal, or community leader

Particularly Encouraged

Applications from girls in underserved areas, first-generation learners, and those facing unique family circumstances are highly valued and strongly encouraged.

How It Works

Programme at a Glance

The diagram below outlines the end-to-end journey — from the first application to the year-end closeout and renewal decision.

Application
Applications received
Review
Screening · story review · shortlisting
Selection
Follow-up conversation · final decision
Disbursement
Institution verification · fee payment
Academic Year
Mid-year check-in
Closeout
Check-in · result confirmation · renewal review
Renew
Continues next year
Alumni
Completed programme
Exit
Graceful closure
Renew — continues to next year's disbursement
Alumni — joins Sahaay network
Exit — graceful closure, slot reopens
Selection Criteria

How We Select Candidates

01

Financial Assessment

We review official documentation, home background, and source of family income thoroughly to prioritize the most economically disadvantaged.

02

Academic Potential

Marks are not everything, but intent is. We gauge aptitude, curiosity, and willingness to learn through recommendation letters and application essays.

03

Personal Motivation

Your drive and stories of resilience tell us who you are. We look for passionate individuals eager to give back to their communities.

04

Verification & Integrity

Direct communication with teachers and background checks ensure selected candidates meet the high ethical standards of the foundation.

Direct Support

Funding Disbursement

🏛️

To the Institution Directly

Sahaay strictly operates on an institutional-transfer basis. Cash is never handed over to the student or family members directly.

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Verification Documents

Selected students must provide official invoice/fee statements from the registrar or accounting department of their school or college.

No Intermediaries

Every single transaction is audited. No agents, third parties, or brokers are utilized to process payments.

Our Philosophy

The Foundation's Vision

Direct Empowerment

No bureaucratic layers. No overhead loss. We utilize a streamlined personal fund where 100% of the proceeds hit the classroom directly.

Equality of Dream

A child's social ranking or geographical origin should never narrow down their professional horizon. Every individual deserves a fair chance.

Paying It Forward

Success has real value only when it helps to hoist others. We foster a lifelong circle of gratitude, support, and pay-it-forward leadership.

Our Culture

Core Principles

Integrity First

We ensure utmost clarity, strict validation checks, and straightforward processes in all award determinations.

Radical Kindness

We treat every candidate's background and private narrative with profound dignity, deep empathy, and full support.

Deep Focus

Instead of spreading resources thin, we invest deeply in fewer candidates (8) to ensure we make a permanent impact.

Lasting Trust

We work in unison with parents, institutions, and educators to construct a protective network for the candidate.

Apply Now

Take the Next Step

1

Complete the Application

Ensure all fields are truthfully updated. Incorrect or suspicious data will trigger immediate disqualification.

2

Keep Supporting Documents Ready

  • Latest Academic Marksheet / Report Cards
  • Proof of Income (Salary Slips / Income Certificate / ITR)
  • Official Institution Admission / Enrollment Proof
  • Reference Letter from a Teacher or Local Mentor
3

Attend Interview

Shortlisted applicants must participate in an online video call along with at least one parent or direct guardian.

Official Application

Academic Year 2026–2027 Scholarship Drive

External Submission

We securely host our official registration process on Google Forms to gather transcripts, certificates, and reference files.

  • Estimated completion: 15 minutes
  • Supports file attachments up to 10MB
Application Deadline: June 30, 2026.
Open Application Form
Contact Us

Get in Touch

✉️
Email Enquiries support@sahaayprogram.org
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Mobile Number +91 93546 32255
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Operating Hours Mon – Fri, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM IST

For grievance issues, donor partnerships, or institutional collaborations, please write to us directly. We will try our best to respond within 48 business hours.