Financial support in education isn’t just about big scholarships — sometimes the most useful help comes in the form of “Freeship”, which simply means a complete or partial fee waiver. Across India, the Government, state departments, universities, and institutions offer freeships and fellowships that remove tuition fees, reduce academic expenses, and ensure students continue their studies without financial stress.
This guide breaks down everything:
- What is Freeship Fellowship
- Eligibility
- Fees covered
- Registration
- National-level schemes
- Regional schemes for Vidarbha/Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh (added below in the appropriate section)
- Direct links to portals
What Is the Freeship Fellowship?
A Freeship Fellowship is a fee-waiver programme where the Government or institution reduces or fully waives academic fees. Many universities combine this with fellowships (monthly stipends) or additional financial aid.
A Freeship may cover:
- Tuition fee
- Exam fee
- Library/lab charges
- Admission fee
- Hostel concession (varies by institution)
Some universities extend freeship benefits to:
- SC, ST, OBC & EWS students
- Economically weaker families
- Meritorious students
- Physically disabled students
- Orphans / single-parent students
Eligibility Criteria
Although schemes vary, most follow these conditions:
1. Category-Based Eligibility
- SC
- ST
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
- SBC / VJNT (Maharashtra)
- EWS
- Minority communities
2. Income-Based Eligibility
Most schemes require:
- Family income below ₹8 lakh, sometimes lower (₹2–4 lakh depending on state).
3. Academic Eligibility
- Must be enrolled in a recognized institution
- Must maintain minimum attendance (usually 75%)
- No pending backlogs for renewal
- Good academic performance
4. Course Eligibility
Available for:
- UG / PG courses
- Diploma / Polytechnic
- Professional programmes
- PhD / MPhil
- Technical courses (Engineering, Medical, ITI)
Documents Required
- Aadhaar card
- Caste certificate (if applicable)
- Income certificate (current financial year)
- Domicile certificate
- Admission proof / fee receipt
- Previous exam mark sheets
- Bank passbook
- Passport-size photos
Registration Process (General)
Step 1: Visit the official scholarship portal of your university/state.
Step 2: Fill the online form (personal, academic, income, category details).
Step 3: Upload required documents.
Step 4: Submit and take acknowledgment receipt.
Step 5: Verification is done at institute and department level.
Step 6: Fee waiver / fellowship is granted after approval.
National Portals Offering Freeships & Fellowships (Direct Links)
These platforms list India-wide freeships, scholarships, fellowships and fee-waiver schemes:
- National Scholarship Portal (NSP): https://scholarships.gov.in
- Study in India Fee Waivers: https://studyinindia.gov.in
- AICTE Scholarships (Pragati, Saksham, Swanath): https://www.aicte-india.org
- Tribal Welfare Scholarships (Central): https://tribal.nic.in
- Social Justice Scholarship Schemes: https://socialjustice.gov.in
- Science & Research Fellowships (ISTI): https://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in/fellowships-scholarships
- Foundation For Excellence (FFE): https://ffe.org
- Buddy4Study Scholarship Directory: https://www.buddy4study.com
⭐ REGIONAL FREESHIP / SCHOLARSHIP SCHEMES
Vidarbha – Maharashtra | Madhya Pradesh | Chhattisgarh
This table compiles the most active freeship/fellowship programmes for these regions. This is the correct section of the blog because readers generally look for state-wise schemes after understanding the national overview.
Regional Freeship/Fellowship Schemes Table
| # | Region / State | Scheme / Scholarship | Benefits | Eligibility Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vidarbha (Maharashtra) | Post-Matric Freeship (SC/ST/OBC/SBC/VJNT/EWS) | Tuition & exam fee waived; hostel benefits in some cases | Must be Maharashtra domicile; category certificate; income limits based on category |
| 2 | Maharashtra (Vidarbha included) | MahaDBT Fee-Waiver & Scholarship Portal | Full/partial fee reimbursement; freeship options; maintenance allowance | SC/ST/OBC/EWS; income-based; must apply through MahaDBT online portal |
| 3 | Maharashtra Private Universities | Merit-based Freeships | 25–100% tuition fee waiver | Entrance exam toppers, high board exam scorers |
| 4 | Madhya Pradesh | Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC) | Full or partial tuition-fee waiver + annual allowance | MP domicile, category certificate, must be enrolled in post-matric course |
| 5 | Madhya Pradesh | Tribal Welfare Scholarships | Tuition exemption, stipend, books fund | ST/tribal students studying UG/PG/professional courses |
| 6 | Madhya Pradesh | Technical/ITI Scholarships | Fee waivers + stipend for vocational/technical students | SC/ST/OBC/EWS; admission in registered ITI/technical institutes |
| 7 | Chhattisgarh | Post-Matric Scholarship (SC/ST/OBC) | Tuition waiver + maintenance allowance | CG domicile; eligible category; studying Class 11–PG |
| 8 | Chhattisgarh | BPL / EWS Student Scholarship | Annual financial aid + partial freeship | Low-income families with valid BPL/EWS certificate |
| 9 | Chhattisgarh | Higher Education Freeship | Tuition/exam fee waived for backward-category students | Enrolled in state-run colleges; valid category/income documents |
Direct Links to State Freeship Portals
These are safe and official portals to start applications immediately:
Maharashtra (Vidarbha included)
- MahaDBT Scholarship Portal: https://mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in
- Maharashtra Social Justice Schemes: https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in
Madhya Pradesh
- MP Scholarship Portal 2.0: https://scholarshipportal.mp.nic.in
- MP Tribal Welfare Scholarships: https://tribal.mp.gov.in
Chhattisgarh
- CG Scholarship Portal: https://schoolscholarship.cg.nic.in
- CG Tribal Welfare Scholarships: https://tribal.cg.gov.in
Fees & Financial Coverage
Most Freeship Fellowships include:
1. Tuition Fee Waiver
- 100% for SC/ST in most states
- 50–100% for OBC, EWS, SBC, VJNT depending on income
2. Exam Fee Waiver
Usually included in freeship packages.
3. Hostel Concessions
Some institutions waive:
- Hostel fees
- Admission deposits
- Library/lab deposits
4. Monthly Fellowship (PG & PhD)
Some universities offer:
- ₹1,000 to ₹12,000 monthly stipend
Benefits of Freeship Fellowship
- Eliminates tuition cost
- Reduces dropout rate
- Helps low-income families
- Encourages higher education
- Supports PG/PhD students with fellowships
- Enables students from Vidarbha, MP, and Chhattisgarh to access affordable college options
Who Should Apply?
- Students from SC/ST/OBC/EWS backgrounds
- Low-income or BPL families
- Rural students (especially from Vidarbha, tribal regions of MP/Chhattisgarh)
- Students pursuing diploma, UG, PG, PhD
- Students with strong academic performance