Vidyasiri Scholarship (Karnataka)

About this scholarship

The Karnataka Vidyasiri Scholarship is a specialized scheme hosted on the State Scholarship Portal (SSP), managed primarily by the Department of Backward Classes Welfare. While the standard post-matric scheme focuses on tuition reimbursement, Vidyasiri is explicitly a food and accommodation scheme (also known as the Free Hostel scheme). It targets students from OBC, SC, and ST categories who have moved away from their hometowns for higher education but failed to secure admission into government-run hostels. Acknowledging that the cost of private lodging and food is often the biggest barrier to rural students attending city colleges, Vidyasiri provides a direct monthly stipend to subsidize these living expenses. It functions as a critical supplement to tuition fee waivers. Students applying on the SSP must explicitly indicate their hostel status. Because it is highly sought after and slots can be limited, selection heavily weighs the distance between the student's home and the college, alongside their family income and caste category.

Documents you need

• Kutumba ID
• e-Attested Caste and Income Certificate (RD number)
• Aadhaar card
• Bank passbook
• College admission proof
• Proof of non-availability of government hostel (if applicable)

How to apply

1. Access the State Scholarship Portal (ssp.postmatric.karnataka.gov.in) and ensure your base profile is updated with your Kutumba ID and RD numbers.
2. When applying for departmental schemes, specifically select the Vidyasiri (Food and Accommodation) option under the Backward Classes or Social Welfare department.
3. Ensure your college accurately updates your day-scholar/hosteler status in the university database, as SSP fetches this automatically.

Why applications get rejected

• Applying for Vidyasiri while actually residing in a government-funded hostel; the scheme is strictly for students who are paying for private accommodation or PG facilities.
• Failing to link the bank account with Aadhaar, which is mandatory because the monthly food and accommodation stipend is disbursed exclusively via DBT.

Common questions

Can I get both the post-matric fee reimbursement and Vidyasiri?

Yes, eligible students can often receive tuition fee reimbursement under the general post-matric scheme while simultaneously receiving the Vidyasiri stipend for food and accommodation.

Is Vidyasiri available for students studying in their hometown?

No, the scheme is meant for outstation students; you typically must reside a certain minimum distance away from your college to be eligible.