Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students – EWS
The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students (CSSS) is a merit-cum-means scholarship scheme of the Government of India designed to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from economically weaker families who are pursuing higher education.
The scheme is implemented by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and is currently a component of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Protsahan (PM-USP) Yojana. It supports eligible students pursuing regular undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses in recognised institutions.
What is the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship?
The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students provides financial support to meritorious students who have performed well in Class XII and belong to families meeting the prescribed income criteria.
The main objective is to help students meet a portion of their day-to-day educational expenses while pursuing higher studies and to improve access to college and university education for students from economically weaker families.
The scholarship is awarded primarily on the basis of performance in the Class XII or equivalent examination, subject to the prescribed merit, income, course, institution and other eligibility conditions.
Is CSSS Only for EWS Students?
No. The CSSS should not be confused with an EWS-category-only scholarship. The scheme is available to eligible meritorious students from different categories, subject to the Central Reservation Policy and the applicable eligibility criteria.
Economic status is an important eligibility factor because the scheme is intended to provide assistance to students from families within the prescribed income ceiling.
Objectives of the Scholarship
- Provide financial assistance to meritorious college and university students.
- Help students from economically weaker families continue higher education.
- Reduce the financial burden associated with higher studies.
- Encourage students to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate and professional education.
- Promote equal access to higher education.
- Support academically strong students who need financial assistance.
CSSS Eligibility
To be considered for the scholarship, students generally need to satisfy the following conditions:
- The student must have passed Class XII or an equivalent examination.
- The student should be among the successful candidates above the prescribed 80th percentile in the relevant stream from the respective Board.
- The student must be pursuing a regular course.
- The course should be offered by an eligible recognised institution.
- The prescribed annual family income limit must be satisfied.
- The student should not be receiving another scholarship or fee reimbursement that is prohibited under the scheme.
- The student must satisfy the applicable category and reservation requirements.
The scheme guidelines specify the 80th-percentile criterion and regular-course requirement. The current scheme information also provides for financial assistance to eligible students from economically weaker families.
Family Income Limit
The CSSS income ceiling has been revised to ₹8 lakh per annum under the scheme guidelines. The income criterion applies across categories under the scheme.
Students should verify the income requirement shown on the National Scholarship Portal at the time of application because the applicable conditions and implementation instructions may be updated.
Scholarship Amount
The scholarship amount depends on the level and type of eligible course.
- Undergraduate level: ₹12,000 per annum for the first three years under the current rate referenced by CBSE.
- Postgraduate level: ₹20,000 per annum.
- Professional and integrated courses: Assistance in later years is governed by the applicable scheme provisions.
CBSE's current public information on CSSS states that the scholarship rate from the applicable financial year is ₹12,000 per annum at graduation level for the first three years and ₹20,000 per annum at postgraduate level.
Which Courses Are Covered?
Eligible students can receive support while pursuing recognised higher-education programmes. Depending on the applicable scheme provisions, this may include:
- Undergraduate degree courses
- Postgraduate courses
- Engineering courses
- Medical courses
- Professional courses
- Other recognised regular degree programmes
- Eligible integrated professional courses
Diploma courses are generally not covered under CSSS, and the scheme is intended for eligible regular degree and professional programmes as specified in the guidelines.
How to Apply for CSSS Scholarship?
- Visit the National Scholarship Portal.
- Complete One Time Registration (OTR), where applicable.
- Log in to your scholarship account.
- Select PM-USP – Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students.
- Enter your personal information.
- Provide Class XII academic details.
- Enter college, university and course information.
- Provide family-income details.
- Enter bank account information.
- Upload the required documents.
- Submit the application.
- Complete institute and other verification processes.
- Track your application and payment status online.
For the current academic cycle, the National Scholarship Portal requires an OTR number for scholarship applications and lists CSSS under PM-USP.
Documents Required
- Class XII marksheet.
- Income certificate, where required.
- Aadhaar or other accepted identity document.
- Bank account details.
- College or university admission details.
- Course and institution details.
- Category certificate, where applicable.
- Other documents requested by the scholarship portal or concerned authority.
Scholarship Renewal
Students who receive the scholarship may need to apply for renewal in subsequent years. Renewal is subject to the applicable academic performance, attendance and other conditions prescribed under the scheme.
CBSE's current information states that renewal requires at least 50% marks in the annual examination and adequate attendance of at least 75%, in addition to other applicable requirements.
Payment of Scholarship
The scholarship is transferred directly to the beneficiary's bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism after the required verification and approval.
Students should ensure that their bank account information is accurate and linked appropriately for receiving the scholarship benefit.
Important Points for Students
- CSSS is a merit-cum-means scholarship.
- It is not restricted exclusively to students with an EWS certificate.
- The student must satisfy the prescribed Class XII merit requirement.
- The relevant income ceiling is ₹8 lakh per annum under the scheme guidelines.
- The student must pursue an eligible regular course.
- Students receiving prohibited duplicate scholarships or fee reimbursement may not be eligible.
- Renewal requires fulfilment of academic and attendance conditions.
- Applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal.
- Students should check the latest official notification before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students?
It is a Government of India scholarship scheme that provides financial assistance to eligible meritorious students from economically weaker families pursuing higher education.
Is CSSS only for EWS students?
No. CSSS is not an EWS-category-only scholarship. Eligible students from different categories can be considered subject to the merit, income, reservation and other scheme requirements.
What is the family income limit?
The prescribed family-income ceiling under the scheme guidelines is ₹8 lakh per annum.
What is the scholarship amount?
The current public information from CBSE states ₹12,000 per annum at graduation level for the first three years and ₹20,000 per annum at postgraduate level, subject to the applicable course provisions. =
Can engineering students apply?
Eligible students pursuing recognised regular engineering and other professional courses can be considered under the applicable CSSS provisions.
Can diploma students apply?
Diploma courses are generally not eligible under CSSS. The scheme focuses on eligible regular degree and professional programmes.
Where can I apply?
Applications are submitted through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). The current NSP lists CSSS under the PM-USP scheme.
Conclusion
The Central Sector Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students is an important higher-education scholarship for meritorious students who need financial support to continue their studies. The scheme combines academic merit with family-income criteria and provides financial assistance for eligible undergraduate, postgraduate and professional education.
Students should carefully check their Class XII merit position, family income, course eligibility, institution recognition and other requirements before applying through the National Scholarship Portal.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Scholarship eligibility, income requirements, scholarship rates, renewal conditions and application procedures may be revised by the Government. Students should verify the latest information on the official National Scholarship Portal and Ministry of Education sources before applying.
