Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Global Skills Scholarship: Making Education Affordable for Students

No student should have limited access to education due to lack of funds. Scholarships provide an appropriate means for students to pursue education and realise their academic dreams. Thousands of scholarships are announced every year, and each one seeks to achieve a particular goal. Nowadays, winning a scholarship is not that hard. You only have to align yourself with the program’s purposes, meet the eligibility criteria, send a quality application in good time and you are good to go. 

When we talk of scholarships, one that should come into your mind is the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Global Skills Scholarship. This program offered by GIIS Noida seeks to recognise and support young talents who are proficient in technology and digital space. The scholarship provides opportunities to brilliant students with financial constraints to enable them to pursue their talents. The scheme has put in place initiatives and action plans that help students enhance their technological skills. 

Why is the scholarship Important to students?

This scholarship aims to make education affordable to all deserving students. Many students aspire to advance their studies but do not have the financial muscles to enable them do so. The scholarship understands the importance of access to education for such ambitious students. Through this initiative, students talented in prime areas such as technology and even sciences can fulfil their dreams with financial support that the scholarship offers. 

GIIS Noida understands the critical role technology is playing this digital era. Many deserving students are naturally talented in the field of technology. They may not have the means and resources to pursue their dreams. The Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Global Skills Scholarship  offers financial aid to such technologically proficient students. 

Students who win the award get to study in some of the top international schools: the Global Indian International Schools. GIIS institutions are recognised worldwide for having the best educational facilities, state-of-the-art technologies that support virtual learning and qualified teachers. The schools are furnished with resourceful libraries, IT labs, and digitally designed classrooms, among others. With such excellent resources, students get equipped with skills for 21st-century learning. 

Getting access to such world-class educational institutions may not be possible for every student. This scholarship provides an easy way for brilliant students from middle-income families to enjoy quality education. This too, at affordable rates compared to other international schools.   

The scholarship waives a certain percentage of the tuition fee depending on the category of the eligibility criteria that the student fits in. For Category A students, the scholarship covers 20% of the tuition fees. For category B, the program covers 15% of the tuition charges and 10% for Category C. This reduces the total amount of tuition fee a student is required to pay the school. With such a reduction, it becomes affordable for any student to pay the remaining balance and continue with their studies. 

How to get the scholarship

To qualify for this award, you have to meet specific eligibility criteria. You have to show your talent in technology by representing at notable forums and offer a concrete proof of your achievement in the respective category as outlined below:

Categories	Eligibility Criteria
Category A	Must be among the best 10 nationally at the Olympiad by STEM/SOF/Robotics Olympiad (or)Win the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize at the annual National Children’s Science Congress competition
Category B	Must rank among the first 20 nationally at the Olympiad by STEM/SOF/Robotics Olympiad (or)Win the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd prize at the annual National Children’s Science Congress competition (or)Be part of the top team at the ISRO Space Quiz or NSS-National Space Settlement
Category C	Must rank among the best 30 nationally at the Olympiad by STEM/SOF/Robotics Olympiad (or)Rank among the first 10 contestants at competitions organised by IT giants (or)Rank top 10 at the Robot Olympiad (or)Be part of the top 2 groups at the ISRO Space Quiz or NSS

Additionally (per each category): 

• You must be a citizen of India
• Have participated in any national, regional or global forums. In these forums, you must have written a thesis, a paper or published a document. If not in the writing area, you must have developed a digital tool or gadgets like an application or robot. 
• You must have tangible proof of the proposal, paper, publication or digital tool. 
• Have reports showing your academic performance for the last two years
• If necessary, you may also be required to undertake a scholarship test or an interview 

As you can see, this prestigious scholarship seeks to support talented students by making it easier for them to access education. Getting the award is not that hard. You only have to meet the eligibility criteria set forth by the school. You can achieve this by proving that you are indeed talented by representing at any national, international or regional forum and obtaining proof of your accomplishment. More than that, you only need to be an Indian Citizen with above average scores in your academic performance.