Higher education may bring a greater chance of a better job, but all the expenses involved in higher education tuition, living, books, school supplies, and more can make it challenging for many students to achieve their educational goals. Scholarships are an important way to help meet this financial need, and will help to instill the means needed for deserving students to pursue their education. Scholarships can also alleviate financial worries and allow students to concentrate on their studies and career objectives.

Students of different educational background can be interested in the various scholarship programs offered for 2026-27, which are based on academic merit, financial need, and specific subjects. They can be as wide-ranging as financial aid for those with plans to attend a higher education institution or targeted for students in STEM disciplines and for females interested in engineering fields. To apply students need to be aware of the eligibility requirements, financial benefits, application process and application deadlines.

Some of the scholarships offered this September include the following such as LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship 2026-27, IDFC First Bank Engineering Scholarship Program 2026-30, and the OakNorth Scholarship and Mentorship Program 2026-27. Every program is aimed at a specific group of students and provides financial assistance to enable students to achieve their learning objectives.

LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship 2026-27

The LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme 2026-27 is an initiative by the LIC Golden Jubilee Foundation, which is designed to help economically weaker section students to pursue higher education and enhance their future employment prospects through financial assistance.

The scholarship is eligible to student who has passed the class 10 or class 12/equivalent exam with at least 60 percent marks or equivalent CGPA in the years 2023-24 to 2025-26. In the general scholarship category, candidates must be offered admission in the first year of any of the eligible academic programs for 2026-27.

The special scholarship is for students who have been admitted in the first year of Intermediate/10+2, professional or diploma course. An applicant in both the categories has to satisfy the income criterion for the family in terms of annual income of the family which should not exceed ₹4.5 lakh.

Selected students can receive financial assistance of up to ₹50,000. A scholarship then can make a significant contribution to the educational cost for a student who has the financial and academic requirements.

The Application deadline is 30th September 2026. The Application is online only.

“As a faculty and head of the institute I believe Scholarships are vital investments in human capital, enabling talented students to pursue quality education without financial constraints. Practically, they facilitate participation in internships, industrial training, certifications, fieldwork, research and skill-development programs that enhance employability. From an industry perspective, scholarships help create a skilled, future-ready workforce equipped with problem-solving, digital, entrepreneurial and technical competencies. Industry-linked scholarships can establish pathways from education to internships, apprenticeships, mentoring and employment, reducing skill gaps. They also encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and commercially relevant research, leading to new products, technologies and enterprises. Thus, scholarships generate long-term social and economic returns by transforming educational opportunity into skills, employment, innovation and sustainable development,” says Dr. Mamoni Das, Dean, Faculty of Community Science, Assam Agricultural University.

IDFC First Bank Engineering Scholarship Program 2026-30

The IDFC First Bank Engineering Scholarship Program 2026-30 is a generous financial aid program provided throughout the course of the 4-year undergraduate engineering program for those who have joined engineering programs.

The program is geared towards the first year of a B.E. or B.Tech Program of technology for the year 2026-27. The aim is to minimize the economic demands on engineering education and allow students to pursue further education as they work towards their goals of employment.

The candidates should be Indian citizens and be enrolled in the 1st year of B.E. or B.Tech course for 2026-27 school year. They also have to have been admitted in one of the empanelled colleges of the program. The other eligibility criterion is family-income criterion where the total family income from all sources for the applicant should not be more than ₹6 lakh per annum.

Candidates also need to have a valid mobile phone number registered with the Aadhaar number. No IDFC First Bank employees or their family members can apply.

Unlike the two other programs, the scholarship is one of the most significant financial support programs with an annual stipend of ₹1 lakh for four years. With support spanning several years, engineering students can cover a lot of the costs of their education.

Interested students are requested to apply online till 20th September, 2026.

“Scholarships play a transformative role in the Indian education sector by bridging the gap between talent and affordability. In a country marked by sharp socio-economic disparities and rapidly rising tuition fees, financial constraints frequently force meritorious students to abandon their academic aspirations.

Scholarships act as a powerful tool for social equity and inclusion. They enable students from economically weaker sections, rural areas, and historically marginalized communities to access premium educational institutions. By alleviating the heavy burden of tuition fees, accommodation, and study materials, they drastically reduce a family’s reliance on high-interest education loans.

Beyond mere financial relief, these awards boost student morale, instill confidence, and foster a culture of academic excellence. In the broader macroeconomic context, government initiatives-like those highlighted by the private fellowships help increase India's Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER). Ultimately, by nurturing diverse talent, scholarships help develop a skilled, future-ready workforce capable of driving the nation's innovation and economic progress,”  says Dr. RNS Murthy, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture.

OakNorth Scholarship and Mentorship Program 2026-27

The OakNorth Scholarship and Mentorship Program 2026-27 is targeted at underprivileged women studying undergraduate courses in STEM. The program is exclusively targeted at girls from Jharkhand or Bihar, who are enrolled in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) courses in government schools after Class 12.

Applicants should be first year students pursuing undergraduate STEM degree from a government college or university in India and be domiciled in either Jharkhand or Bihar. Eligible disciplines include: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Academic achievement is also one of the eligibility requirements. Applicants should have obtained 75 per cent marks in class 12 exam. Also, the annual income of the parents from all sources should not exceed ₹3 lakh.

The OakNorth program, instead of a scholarship that is continued for a period of time, is a fixed scholarship of ₹30,000. The program also features a mentoring element that may be of value to students as they enter higher education and make a future plan.

The application for the program is open on the online platform and will end on September 20, 2026.

“Scholarships have now become more than just an aid to fund higher education. They are now considered as a way to invest in human capital by motivating and encouraging students to strive to achieve their best. I understand the importance of scholarships in enabling talented students to pursue their higher education without worrying about finances. The scholarship program is an attractive proposition for today’s student because it recognizes and rewards merit. It encourages students to excel and also promotes diversity in the classroom. The students who qualify for these scholarships are inspired to be leaders in their chosen fields while also encouraging others to participate in areas like innovation, research, sports, and community service. Scholarships also promote a dynamic academic community within the university while attracting talented students from diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, scholarships enable students from economically weaker sections to gain access to quality education without putting undue strain on their families. At the same time, it raises the profile of the institution by associating with and graduating future leaders who make their mark on the corporate world and the country in general.

At a time when the global economy is becoming more competitive, it is important for higher education institutions to realize the value of scholarships as an investment in human capital. By developing a scholarship policy, the university can position itself to attract the best students and, in turn, enable them to graduate as quality leaders prepared to serve in various industries while also contributing to the country’s overall growth objectives,” Dr. Prakash Mainkar, Director Admissions, MIT WPU Pune.

Conclusion

Scholarships can significantly help make higher education more accessible by helping to alleviate the financial stress of students and ensuring that they are able to follow their academic or career goals. The LIC Golden Jubilee Scholarship, IDFC First Bank Engineering Scholarship, and OakNorth Scholarship and Mentorship Program are available to support a range of groups of eligible students according to academic achievement, financial eligibility, course of study, etc. Students who are eligible to apply for the respective programs should carefully go through the guidelines of the applications and apply within the given deadlines, as the application deadlines are specified in September 2026. Students can make good use of these opportunities to take a positive step towards higher education, with greater support and confidence.