Pune University Revamps Scholarship Scheme Into Financial Aid; Over 3,000 Students to Benefit

Pune, 10th April 2025: In a significant policy shift, Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) has revamped its student scholarship programs into financial aid schemes, aiming to broaden accessibility and ensure optimal utilization of funds. For the academic year 2024–25, more than 3,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students have been selected to receive financial assistance ranging from ₹2,000 to ₹18,000.

The revised structure includes six distinct financial aid schemes targeted at students enrolled in departments within the university campus, as well as those studying in affiliated colleges across Pune, Nashik, and Ahmednagar districts. The schemes are: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Financial Assistance Scheme, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Financial Assistance Scheme, Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe Financial Assistance Scheme, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Financial Assistance Scheme, Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Financial Assistance Scheme, and Swami Vivekananda Financial Assistance Scheme.

Previously, students who had availed of other government scholarships were disqualified from receiving university scholarships, which led to underutilization of the allocated budget. Recognizing this issue, the university decided to reclassify these programs as financial aid schemes, removing the restriction and allowing a larger number of students to qualify.

Under the Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule scheme, 783 undergraduate and 244 postgraduate students will receive ₹5,000 each. Similarly, the Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe scheme will provide ₹5,000 to 292 undergraduate and 225 postgraduate students.

The Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj scheme will disburse ₹6,000 each to 548 undergraduate students across arts, commerce, and science streams, and to 275 postgraduate students from the same disciplines.

The Mahatma Jyotirao Phule scheme will award ₹6,000 to undergraduate students—40 from arts, 193 from commerce, and 216 from science. At the postgraduate level, arts and commerce students will receive ₹8,000, while 187 science students will get ₹16,000 each.

For students from flood-affected, drought-affected, and disaster-hit areas, the Swami Vivekananda scheme will provide ₹2,000 each to 93 undergraduates and 18 postgraduates. Meanwhile, under the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj scheme, a total of 36 students from both undergraduate and postgraduate levels will receive ₹5,000 each.

Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Parag Kalkar, Pro-Vice Chancellor of SPPU, said, “The aim is to increase the reach of these schemes to every college under the university’s jurisdiction. The change in nomenclature from ‘scholarship’ to ‘financial assistance’ ensures that more students become eligible, and the allocated funds are fully utilized for the benefit of students in need.”