Policy for Scholarships & Fee Concessions

1. Preamble

Kalinga University is committed to promoting access to higher education by providing scholarships, fee concessions, financial assistance, and other approved benefits to eligible students. The University recognizes that financial support can facilitate educational access, academic excellence, participation in co-curricular activities, and inclusion of students from diverse backgrounds.

This Policy establishes a transparent and systematic framework for awarding scholarships and granting fee concessions, subject to the University's approved rules, availability of funds, eligibility requirements, and applicable statutory provisions.

2. Objectives

The objectives of this Policy are to:

• Encourage academic excellence and meritorious performance.
• Support students facing financial constraints, wherever eligible.
• Promote participation and achievement in sports, cultural, technical, research, innovation, and other recognized activities.
• Encourage access to higher education for eligible students from diverse backgrounds.
• Provide transparent and consistent criteria for scholarships and fee concessions.
• Recognize exceptional achievements and contributions of students.
• Support retention and successful completion of academic programmes.

3. Scope

This Policy shall apply to eligible students enrolled or seeking admission to approved academic programmes of Kalinga University, subject to the specific terms and conditions of the applicable scholarship or concession.

Scholarships and concessions may be offered at the time of admission or during the academic programme, as per the approved scheme.

4. Categories of Scholarships and Fee Concessions

Subject to approval by the competent authority, the University may provide the following categories:

The University may modify, add or discontinue categories based on institutional requirements and applicable regulations.

5. Eligibility

Eligibility shall be determined according to the criteria prescribed for each scholarship or concession.

Applicants/students may be required to demonstrate:

• Prescribed academic performance;
• Achievement in sports, cultural, technical, research, innovation, or other recognized activities;
• Financial need, where applicable;
• Valid supporting documents;
• Satisfactory conduct and discipline;
• Minimum attendance requirements, where prescribed; and
• Compliance with other conditions of the respective scholarship scheme.

A student may not automatically claim a scholarship or concession merely on the basis of eligibility. Award of financial assistance shall remain subject to verification and approval by the competent authority.

6. Application and Documentation

Eligible students shall submit the prescribed application within the notified timeline along with relevant supporting documents.

Depending on the category, documents may include:

• Academic mark sheets/certificates;
• Entrance/qualifying examination records;
• Sports or achievement certificates;
• Research/publication/patent documentation;
• Income or financial-status documents;
• Category or other applicable certificates;
• Identity and admission documents; and
• Any other documents prescribed by the University.

Incomplete, inaccurate, or unsupported applications may not be considered.

7. Evaluation and Approval

Applications shall be scrutinized by the designated University authority/committee in accordance with the applicable scholarship criteria.

The evaluation may consider academic performance, achievement level, financial need, supporting evidence, conduct, attendance, and other relevant parameters.

The final scholarship or fee concession shall be approved by the Competent Authority or designated committee as per the University's approved procedure.

8. Nature of Scholarship/Fee Concession

Scholarships and fee concessions may be provided in the form of:

• Percentage or fixed reduction in tuition fees;
• Partial fee waiver;
• Full or specified component-wise tuition fee waiver;
• Financial assistance as approved; or
• Other institutional benefits specified under the applicable scheme.

The scholarship/concession shall normally apply only to the fee components specifically mentioned in the approval letter. Unless otherwise approved, it shall not automatically cover hostel, transportation, examination, registration, laboratory, uniform, or other charges.

9. Continuation and Renewal

Where a scholarship is awarded for more than one academic year, its continuation may be subject to:

• Maintaining the prescribed academic performance;
• Meeting attendance requirements;
• Maintaining satisfactory conduct and discipline;
• Clearing applicable academic requirements;
• Submission of renewal documents, where required; and
• Compliance with the conditions of the scholarship scheme.

The University may review, reduce, suspend, or withdraw a scholarship if the prescribed conditions are not fulfilled.

10. Cancellation and Recovery

A scholarship or fee concession may be cancelled if:

• False or misleading information is submitted;
• Documents are found to be forged or invalid;
• The student violates applicable scholarship conditions;
• The student is involved in serious misconduct;
• Eligibility conditions are subsequently found not to have been fulfilled; or
• Any other condition specified in the approval is violated.

Where financial benefits have been obtained through fraud, misrepresentation, or unauthorized means, the University may take appropriate action, including recovery of the applicable amount, in accordance with institutional rules.

11. Financial Management and Records

The Finance/Accounts Department shall maintain appropriate records of scholarships, fee concessions, approvals, adjustments, and related financial transactions.

The University shall maintain scholarship records for institutional monitoring, audit, accreditation, statutory reporting, and other legitimate purposes.

12. Transparency and Grievance Redressal

The University shall communicate applicable scholarship and fee-concession schemes through appropriate official channels.

Students may submit representations or grievances regarding scholarship decisions through the designated University mechanism. Such representations shall be examined by the competent authority in accordance with applicable rules.

13. Roles and Responsibilities

• Scholarship Department/Admission Department: Receive applications, coordinate scrutiny, maintain records, and communicate decisions.
• Finance/Accounts Department: Process approved fee adjustments and maintain financial records.
• Competent Authority: Provide final approval wherever required and oversee implementation.

14. Review and Amendment

This Policy shall be reviewed periodically or whenever required due to changes in institutional priorities, financial provisions, academic regulations, or applicable statutory requirements.

The University reserves the right to amend scholarship categories, eligibility criteria, benefit levels, and procedures with approval of the competent authority.