The FAEA Scholarship 2026, offered by the Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access and backed by TATA Trusts, is one of India's most comprehensive full-ride scholarships for undergraduate students from SC, ST, OBC, BPL, and EWS backgrounds. It covers tuition fees, hostel and mess charges, maintenance allowance, books, and other academic expenses based on actual need.
Since 2002, FAEA has supported nearly 1,800 students across India, selecting around 50 students every year. Applications for 2026-27 are currently open, with the last date to apply being 7 July 2026.
Key Highlights:
Scholarship Detail
Information
Offered By
Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access (FAEA), supported by TATA Trusts
Last Date to Apply
7 July 2026
Scholarship Type
Full-ride, need-cum-merit based scholarship
Target Category
SC, ST, OBC, BPL students. General category students with above 90% marks admitted to Institutions of Excellence are also considered.
Level of Study
Undergraduate (Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering, and other technical and professional disciplines)
Number of Scholarships
30 (2026-27)
Financial Coverage
Tuition fees, maintenance allowance, hostel and mess charges as per FAEA norms
Renewable
Yes, up to 5 years subject to satisfactory academic performance
Benefits and Financial Assistance of the FAEA Scholarship 2026
The FAEA Scholarship is not just a fee waiver. It covers multiple heads of expenditure, making it one of the most complete undergraduate scholarships available in India. Here is a full breakdown of what selected scholars receive:
1. Tuition Fees:
FAEA pays tuition fees directly to the college. If you have already paid the fees yourself, you can submit receipts for reimbursement.
FAEA requires 3 to 4 working weeks to process direct payments, so plan accordingly.
2. Maintenance Allowance:
Payable to scholars who do not stay in a college hostel
Rs. 18,000 per annum, paid in one or two equal instalments of Rs. 9,000 each
Paid directly to the scholar by demand draft
3. Books Allowance:
Rs. 2,000 or Rs. 1,000 per annum depending on the course
Released at the beginning of the academic year
4. Clothing Allowance:
Rs. 1,000 per annum
Released at the beginning of the academic year
5. Travel Allowance:
Rs. 1,000 per annum
Released at the beginning of the academic year
For travel to other cities for academic purposes, a separate request can be made
6. Hostel and Mess Charges:
Actual hostel and mess charges are paid as certified by the college principal
FAEA does not pay for private hostels outside the college campus
Scholars staying in a private arrangement outside campus are entitled to maintenance allowance instead
7. Miscellaneous Allowance:
Rs. 3,000 per annum, payable only to scholars who receive hostel and mess charges
Scholars receiving maintenance allowance are not eligible for this head
8. Scholarship Duration:
The scholarship is renewable every academic year for up to 5 years, subject to satisfactory academic performance and continued eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria for FAEA Scholarship 2026
Before you apply, go through the eligibility conditions carefully. FAEA is specific about who qualifies, and applications that do not meet the basic criteria are not considered regardless of academic performance.
Criteria
Details
Nationality
Must be an Indian citizen
Academic Stage
Passed Class XII from a recognised Board of Secondary Education in India, or currently enrolled as a first-year undergraduate student
Category
SC, ST, OBC, or BPL category students
General Category
Eligible only if above 90% marks in Class XII and admitted to a recognised Institution of Excellence in India
Field of Study
Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering, or other technical and professional undergraduate programmes at any college or university in India
Minimum Marks
60% in the previous qualifying examination (higher threshold applies for specialised professional courses)
Dual Scholarship
FAEA scholars cannot hold another scholarship simultaneously. SC/ST/OBC government fee waivers are permitted but must be disclosed to FAEA.
Courses Covered Under the FAEA Scholarship 2026
The FAEA Scholarship covers a broad range of undergraduate programmes. You do not need to be enrolled in a specific college or an FAEA associate institution. You are free to join any recognised college anywhere in India.
BA, BSc, BCom and other Arts, Science, and Commerce undergraduate programmes
Engineering and Technology (BE/BTech)
Medical and allied health sciences (MBBS, BPharm, Nursing)
Architecture, Law, and other professional undergraduate disciplines
Technical and vocational programmes at the undergraduate level
One important point: FAEA only pays fees for free seats. If you have secured a paid seat, tuition fees for that seat will not be covered. Always secure admission under the merit or free seat category wherever possible.
Important Dates for FAEA Scholarship 2026
The 2026-27 cycle is open right now. A lot of students bookmark the page and come back later. Most of them miss the window because July 7 arrives faster than expected and the portal gets slow when everyone rushes in at the same time. If you are eligible, start today.
Event
Date
Application Opens
2026 (currently open)
Last Date to Apply Online
7 July 2026
Shortlisting and Interview Calls
August to September 2026 (approximate)
Final Selection and Result
October to November 2026 (approximate)
Note: Students whose Class XII results are still awaited may apply online after results are declared.
How to Apply for the FAEA Scholarship 2026
The application process is entirely online. No offline or postal applications are accepted. FAEA also does not accept applications by phone. If you have any queries during the process, contact them at inquiry@faeaindia.org only.
Step 1: Visit the official FAEA website at faeaindia.org
Step 2: Click on the registration link in the announcement section or navigate to "Click here to Register Online for FAEA Scholarship 2026-27"
Step 3: Fresh applicants must click "Fresh Candidate (Click Here) to Register." If you applied last year and are continuing, click "Registered Candidate (Click Here) to Complete Process"
Step 4: Fill in all required personal, academic, and financial details carefully
Step 5: Upload the necessary documents in the prescribed format and file size
Step 6: Review all entries and submit the form
Step 7: After successful submission, a 9-digit auto-generated application number will appear on your dashboard. Save this for all future correspondence with FAEA.
Documents Required for FAEA Scholarship 2026
Documents are required at two stages: during the online application and after selection. The following checklist is based on the official FAEA Scholar Manual.
At Application Stage:
Class X marksheet and certificate, attested by the college or school principal
Class XII marksheet and certificate, attested by the principal
Latest income certificate issued by the competent District Revenue Authority, not below the rank of Tehsildar, in Hindi or English. A translated copy is required if the original is in another language.
Caste certificate for SC, ST, and OBC applicants, issued by the authorised government authority
Admission or bonafide certificate from the current institution
Passport-size photographs, attested by the principal or a gazetted officer
Bank account details (must be a major account, not a minor account)
Aadhaar card
After Selection (for Grant Release):
Signed copy of the FAEA Grant Letter
Fee certificate signed and attested by the college principal, including a full fee structure breakup
Hostel and mess charges certificate if applicable, signed by the warden or principal
Scholarship declaration letter signed by the student and attested by the college principal
Only 30 scholarships are available this year. The selection is not based on marks alone. FAEA looks at the full picture: academic performance, financial need, and how you present yourself in the interview. Here is how the process works, stage by stage.
Step 1: Initial Screening
Every application submitted before 7 July 2026 goes through a document and eligibility review
FAEA checks academic records, income certificate, caste certificate, and all uploaded documents
Incomplete forms are rejected outright and not considered further
Documents must be correctly attested by the college or school principal and issued by the appropriate authority
Step 2: Shortlisting
Candidates who clear the initial screening are shortlisted based on academic merit and financial need combined
There is no written examination at any stage of the FAEA selection
Shortlisted candidates are contacted directly by FAEA with further instructions
FAEA does not send rejection communications to unsuccessful applicants
Step 3: Personal Interview
Shortlisted students are called for a personal interview conducted by a national panel
Interviews are held in metropolitan cities, typically between August and September 2026
The panel assesses academic background, financial circumstances, career intent, and overall suitability
Being specific about your goals and honest about your situation carries more weight than rehearsed answers
Step 4: Final Selection and Grant Letter
Final selection is made by the national panel after all interviews are concluded
Selected students receive an official Grant Letter from FAEA by post
The Grant Letter is the only legally binding document confirming your scholarship
All expenses are covered only from the date mentioned in the Grant Letter. Any fees paid before this date will not be reimbursed.
Getting shortlisted for the FAEA Scholarship is not just about marks. Thirty seats, hundreds of applicants, and one shot at it. The students who make it are usually the ones who paid attention to the small details that others skipped. Here is what makes a difference.
Get your income certificate right the first time: It must be issued by the competent District Revenue Authority, not below the rank of Tehsildar, and must be in Hindi or English. If it is in any other language, attach a translated copy. A certificate from the wrong authority is one of the most common reasons applications get stuck.
Do not wait for the last date: The portal slows down close to 7 July 2026 and technical issues close to deadlines are your problem, not FAEA's. Apply as soon as your Class XII results are declared.
Be honest about your financial background: FAEA has been running this programme since 2002 and the selection panel knows what genuine financial hardship looks like. Vague or overstated answers stand out and not in a good way.
Sort out your existing scholarship before applying: FAEA does not allow dual scholarships. If you are currently on one, discontinue it and get a letter attested by your college principal confirming the same. Waiting until after selection to sort this out creates unnecessary delays.
Prepare two clear answers for the interview: What you want to study and why you need this scholarship specifically. The national panel is looking for students who have thought seriously about their education, not just those who qualify on paper.
Choose the right reference: Pick a teacher or mentor who knows both your academic work and your personal circumstances. A reference who can only speak to your grades is less useful than one who understands the full picture.
Secure a free seat or merit seat admission: FAEA does not fund paid seats. If your admission is under a paid quota, tuition fees will not be covered.
Conclusion
The FAEA Scholarship 2026 is one of those rare opportunities that covers not just your fees but your day-to-day academic life as well. For students from SC, ST, OBC, BPL, and EWS backgrounds who have the merit but not the means, this scholarship removes the financial barrier in a very real and practical way. With only 30 seats available this year and the last date being 7 July 2026, do not delay your application.
Can a student from a general category apply for the FAEA Scholarship 2026?
Yes, but the bar is higher. General category students are considered only if they have scored above 90% in their Class XII examination and have secured admission to a recognised Institution of Excellence in India. This is a need-cum-merit provision, so financial background is assessed alongside academic performance. The number of grants available under this category is limited compared to those reserved for SC, ST, OBC, and BPL applicants.
Is the FAEA Scholarship renewable every year?
Yes, the scholarship can be renewed annually for up to 5 years. Renewal is not automatic. Scholars are required to submit updated academic records, fee certificates, and other documents at the beginning of each academic year. If academic performance is not satisfactory or required documents are not submitted on time, renewal can be withheld. FAEA also requires a fresh scholarship declaration form every year confirming that you are not holding any other scholarship.
Can I hold the FAEA Scholarship and another scholarship at the same time?
No. FAEA scholars are not permitted to hold two scholarships simultaneously. If you are already receiving another scholarship, you will need to formally discontinue it and submit a letter to that effect, attested by your college principal. The only exception is government fee waivers or exemptions for SC, ST, OBC, or women students, which are permitted. However, these must be disclosed to FAEA so the grant amount can be adjusted accordingly.
Does FAEA pay fees directly to the college or to the student?
FAEA prefers to pay tuition fees directly to the college. You will need to submit the required fee certificate well in advance and allow 3 to 4 working weeks for processing. If you have already paid the fees yourself due to a deadline at the college, you can submit the original receipts for reimbursement. All payments by FAEA are made only after the Grant Letter is issued. Expenses paid before the Grant Letter date will not be reimbursed.
What happens if my college does not have a hostel facility?
If your college does not provide a hostel or you are unable to secure a spot in the college hostel, FAEA will pay you a maintenance allowance of Rs. 18,000 per annum instead of hostel and mess charges. FAEA does not cover private hostels outside the college campus. Scholars in a private accommodation arrangement are automatically entitled to the maintenance allowance, which is paid directly to them by demand draft.
Can I apply for the FAEA Scholarship if my Class XII results have not been declared yet?
Yes. Students whose results are still awaited can apply online after their results are declared. Do not wait until the very last date as the portal can get slow near the deadline. Once results are out, complete the process immediately and ensure all documents are uploaded correctly before 7 July 2026.
Can I study at any college in India or only at FAEA's associate colleges?
You can study at any recognised college or university anywhere in India. There is no requirement to join an FAEA associate institution. FAEA does advise scholars to choose institutions with a strong academic reputation. The only restriction is that FAEA does not fund paid seats. You must secure admission under the merit or free seat category for tuition fees to be covered.
Does FAEA provide any support beyond financial aid?
Yes. Beyond the financial grant, FAEA provides mentorship, guidance, and career support to selected scholars. Alumni connections are facilitated through FAEA Connect, where former scholars can network and support current students. FAEA also organises workshops for scholars periodically. However, FAEA does not assist with college admissions directly and does not help in securing paid seats.
What is the FAEA scholarship amount for books and other allowances?
Books allowance is Rs. 2,000 or Rs. 1,000 per annum depending on the course. Clothing allowance is Rs. 1,000 per annum. Travel allowance is Rs. 1,000 per annum. A miscellaneous allowance of Rs. 3,000 per annum is available only for scholars receiving hostel and mess charges. All these are paid directly to scholars by demand draft at the beginning of the academic year.
Is there a risk of the FAEA scholarship being cancelled mid-course?
Yes, in specific circumstances. If a scholar is found to be holding another scholarship simultaneously without disclosure, the FAEA scholarship can be cancelled. Non-submission of required documents, unsatisfactory academic performance, or providing false information in the application are other grounds for cancellation. Scholars are advised to maintain regular correspondence with FAEA at inquiry@faeaindia.org and submit all renewal documents on time every year.
How do I contact FAEA if I have a query during the application process?
FAEA accepts queries only by email at inquiry@faeaindia.org. Phone calls and postal correspondence are not accepted for application-related queries. The official phone number for general enquiries is 011-41689133. The office address is C-25, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi 110016. For the fastest response, email with your full name and application number if already registered.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |4600 articles published
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