Gandhinagar, Aug 19 (IANS) The Gujarat government has raised the annual family income ceiling for unreserved category students seeking financial assistance to pursue higher education abroad from Rs 6 lakh to Rs 10 lakh, bringing more middle-income families within the eligibility criteria of the state’s study-abroad loan scheme.
The decision, announced by the state government on Wednesday, will be implemented through the Gujarat Unreserved Educational and Economic Development Corporation (GUEEDC).
Students whose families previously exceeded the Rs 6 lakh income limit but have an annual income of up to Rs 10 lakh will now be eligible to seek assistance under the scheme, subject to its other conditions.
The government said the decision was taken under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to widen access to overseas higher education for students from the unreserved category.
The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, headed by Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja, along with Minister of State, Dr Manisha Vakil, has taken the decision.
Under the scheme, financial assistance is intended to help students meet expenses associated with higher education abroad, including tuition fees, accommodation and living costs.
The earlier Rs 6 lakh annual family income ceiling had excluded students whose families earned above that threshold, even when they required financial assistance for overseas education.
The revised ceiling increases the limit by Rs 4 lakh and extends the potential coverage to families with annual incomes of up to Rs 10 lakh.
The government said the change is intended to ensure that meritorious students from middle-income families do not miss opportunities for higher education abroad solely because their family income falls above the previous ceiling.
The scheme is administered by GUEEDC, which provides assistance to students from the unreserved category seeking higher education overseas.
The revised eligibility is expected to bring more students within the scheme as the cost of overseas education, including tuition and living expenses, can place a substantial financial burden on families.
The government said access to foreign universities can provide students with opportunities for advanced education, research, technology exposure and international academic experience.
The decision follows the Chief Minister’s announcement of the increase during Gujarat’s 80th Independence Day celebrations in Amreli on August 15.
The state government subsequently formalised the revised income ceiling.
--IANS
mys/uk
