Scholarship Eligibility and Award Principles 

1. Program & Institutional Eligibility

   1. Eligible Degree Programs: Scholarships are awarded exclusively for accredited 3-Year Bachelor’s, 4-Year Bachelor’s, and Master’s Degree programs.

   2. Institutional Accreditation: Applicants must be enrolled in or formally admitted to a recognized, accredited public or private university/college in India.

2. Standard Selection Criteria

   1. Academic Threshold: Standard eligibility requires a minimum aggregate score of B+ grade (or equivalent GPA)or placing in the 70th percentile and above in the most recent qualifying examinations. Recipients must maintain this academic standard throughout the tenure of the scholarship to remain eligible for subsequent funding disbursements.

   2. Financial Need: Standard eligibility requires demonstrated financial hardship through verifiable income documentation.

   3. Disbursement Policy: Approved funds are paid directly to the academic institution covering tuition and mandatory academic fees only. Funding will not cover personal living expenses, hostel/lodging fees, food/mess costs, travel, or non-academic personal allowances.

   4. Heritage: Applicants must be of Indian heritage, or origin (including NRIs, PIOs, and OCIs) pursuing higher education at accredited institutions.

3. Subjective & Special Circumstance Exceptions (Discretionary Board Review)

The Selection Committee reserves the right to exercise subjective evaluation and grant exceptions to the standard academic and financial requirements under the following conditions:

3. 1. Academic Flexibility (Grades Below Threshold)

An applicant or existing beneficiary whose academic performance falls below the B+ / 70th percentile threshold may still be awarded or retain a scholarship if they demonstrate:

3. 1. 1. Mitigating Life Circumstances: Temporary academic decline resulting from documented severe illness, personal tragedy, family loss, or acute hardship.

      2. Upward Trajectory & Grit: Strong evidence of personal resilience, significant improvement in recent coursework, or exceptional performance in core subject-matter modules despite a lower overall cumulative GPA.

      3. Extraordinary Non-Academic Merit: Outstanding achievements in community leadership, social impact, innovative research, or national/international extracurricular achievements that align with the Charity’s core values of service and growth.

   2. B. Financial Hardship Waiver (No Direct Economic Need)

An applicant who does not meet standard low-income or financial hardship criteria may be considered for a Merit-Based / High-Impact Award if they meet one or more of the following:

3. 2. 1. High Community Impact & Service: The applicant demonstrates exceptional commitment to community development, social work, or leadership projects that directly serve underprivileged populations.

      2. Pioneering / Niche Field of Study: The candidate is pursuing research or education in a critical, high-impact field (e.g., public health, environmental sustainability, rare medical research) where financial incentivization encourages continued contribution to society.

      3. Unusual Personal Expenses: Unforeseen medical debt, caretaking responsibilities, or financial commitments within the extended family that are not reflected in standard tax or income documents.

4. Integrity & Fraud Prevention  

To ensure transparency and protect resources, the following screening rules apply:

4. 1. Identity & Enrollment Verification: Applicants must provide a valid government-issued photo ID and an official enrollment verification letter or admission offer from the institution.

   2. Direct Fee Invoicing: Disbursement requires an official, itemized fee invoice issued by the academic institution on official letterhead.

   3. One Scholarship Rule: Applicants must disclose any other external scholarships, waivers, or financial aid received. Total aid cannot exceed 100% of the actual tuition costs.

   4. Zero-Tolerance Fraud Policy: Any willful misrepresentation, falsified documentation, or omission of financial facts will result in immediate disqualification, lifetime banning from future aid, and potential reporting to local academic authorities.

   5. Statement of Intent: Applicants must submit a short, personal statement outlining their educational goals, career plans, and commitment to community service to demonstrate genuine intent.

5. Scholarship Availability & Terms 

The Gaitonde Foundation awards scholarships to two (2) new students each academic year, supporting them throughout their degree program subject to ongoing eligibility, with a maximum of ten (10) active scholars overall.  Given these annual funding constraints, all award decisions are made at the sole discretion of The Gaitonde Foundation. The Gaitonde Foundation operates with strict fairness and impartiality; however, it reserves the right of refusal for any application. While The Gaitonde Foundation strives to offer constructive feedback where feasible, it remains under no obligation to disclose specific reasons or justification for individual selection decisions. All decisions made by The Gaitonde Foundation are final.