Maharashtra: EWS students to get 50% fee-waiver at self-financed universities

NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra government has directed all self-financed universities to give 50% exemption in tuition fees for students belonging to economically weaker sections (EWS). The decision was taken by the state government towards “ensuring educational accessibility and inclusivity for all”.

According to the announcement, 10% of the total number of enrolled students in the self-financed universities belonging to the EWS category will be given a 50% tuition fee-waiver. “Additionally, if the remaining students are to be exempted from tuition fees on the basis of financial weakness or other criteria, the decision will be taken at the level of the concerned university,” the official statement read. According to data from the university grants commission (UGC), a total of 22 universities in Maharashtra are self-financed.

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The fee-waiver will be implemented at the time of admission and will continue till the completion of the course. The self-financed universities are directed to submit the report to the government along with the details of the students who have been given the relevant fee concession within a month from the last date of the admission process. The state government will review the details in one month, the government order read.

Considering the requirement of a student-centric education system in line with the New Education Policy, the state government said this step was taken to ensure that no deserving student is deprived of quality education due to economic constraints.