Introduction:
Several students from our service area are unable to pursue higher studies for want of financial support. Our intervention is to give loans and scholarships to them, which would change the course of their life and that of their families and communities.

The Foundation started providing scholarships from the year 1994. Interest-free loan scheme was started in 2003. Recently, these loans have been extended for skill training. GMRVF has also signed a MoU with the Andhra Bank and Central Bank to facilitate education loans for students from project areas.

Objective:
To support poor and meritorious students for pursuing higher education and skill training.

Process: Foundation circulates information on its support schemes to its service areas, calling for students from poor families (annual income less than Rs. 50,000), and with consistent first class performance. In cases like sponsorship for nursing or CA education, an examination is held for all applicants and the high scorers are selected.

Individual students also approach the Foundation for grant support in various other courses as well. In such cases, the economic and educational qualifications of the students are ascertained following which an interview is held.

The Foundation tracks the academic progress of each student and provides counseling services when necessary. The Foundation also monitors the students’ progress by maintaining a regular contact with the educational institution where the student is enrolled.

ACHIEVEMENTS/STRENGTHS

• Over a 100 students have been provided scholarships and loans to pursue academic and professional programmes such as Graduation, Post Graduation, CA, engineering and B.Ed. skill training to name a few. The Foundation also extends grants to students for training in Heavy Motor Vehicle and construction.

• The students receiving loans and scholarships are performing satisfactorily in their studies. Many of them have become successful professionals in various fields.