Pune: The Maharashtra government has opened applications for the 'Overseas Scholarship Scheme' for the academic year 2024-25, targeting students from minority communities who wish to pursue postgraduate and PhD studies abroad.

The Social Welfare Department has issued an appeal for eligible students to submit their applications by September 6.

Under this scheme, students from religious minority communities, as recognized by the Central or Maharashtra government, can apply to study in top-ranking global institutions.

The maximum age limit for applicants is 35 years for postgraduate courses and 40 years for PhD courses. Additionally, the total annual family income of the applicant must not exceed ₹8.00 lakhs.

Under this scheme, students will be reimbursed in Indian Rupees to their bank accounts for the entire tuition fees charged by the foreign educational institution for the duration mentioned in the Offer Letter, Economy Class airfare for the course (including return travel), living allowance, and personal health insurance within the prescribed financial limits upon submission of original fee payment receipts, travel tickets, boarding passes, etc.

The annual living allowance will be up to USD 15,400 for the USA and other countries, and GBP 9,900 for the UK, deposited in the student’s personal foreign bank account.

To ease the burden of other expenses, an additional allowance of USD 1,500 for the USA and other countries (excluding the UK) and GBP 1,100 for the UK will be provided annually as miscellaneous/incidental expenses.

Additionally, the Social Welfare Department has appealed to eligible students to submit their duly completed applications in the prescribed format along with the necessary documents either by post or in person to the Social Welfare Commissionerate, Pune, by 6:15 PM on September 6.