09 April,2026 09:04 AM IST | Pune | Archana Dahiwal
Representation pic/istock
Seventy-Five Maharashtra students studying abroad are facing a severe financial crunch as their government-approved scholarships for 2026 have not been disbursed for over two months.
Officials have admitted that funds are yet to be received, even as foreign universities continue to press students for fee payments. The affected students are pursuing master's degrees across engineering, medical, and management streams under the Maharashtra government's foreign scholarship scheme.
With deadlines looming, the situation has triggered sharp criticism over poor coordination.
Students say they are receiving identical responses from officials:
"Funds are not available; demand has been raised."
In an official email, authorities stated:
"Your scholarship amount has been approved (as per government norms). However, due to a lack of funds, your amount cannot be paid."
One student wrote:
"It has been 64 days since I submitted all required documents⦠I have been regularly following up, but I have not received scholarship funds."
Youth Congress State Media Department President Akshay Jain said the situation reflects a "major administrative lapse".
"With no disbursal for weeks, students are under pressure from universities. This raises serious concerns about governance, accountability, and the state's global credibility," he said.
Jain added, "The scholarship includes accommodation and food. If the delay continues, it will worsen the crisis." He also warned of statewide protests.
Foreign universities have begun issuing reminders and warnings:
>> Fee deadlines already missed in some cases
>> Risk of penalties and deregistration
>> Threat of being barred from exams
>> Possible visa complications
A student in the US said, "Last two months, due to uncertainty of the scholarship, we were not able to concentrate on our studies. There is constant pressure about fees on our minds."
The state govt has introduced a foreign scholarship scheme for students from minority communities who face financial constraints in pursuing higher education abroad. Under this scheme, students are selected for admission to top global universities. For 2024-25, a total of 48 students have been selected so far, out of which 2 declined the scholarship. Additionally, 18 postgraduate students have now been approved for the scholarship based on the selection committee's recommendations.
Total students affected 75
Required funds Rs 49.75 crore
Funds allocated Rs 14 crore
Already spent Rs 9.79 crore
Balance remaining Rs 4.21 crore
2024-25 batch paid (first semester) 28 students
Second instalment pending
2025-26 batch (Jan-Mar enrolments) 25 students unpaid
As per a March 20 letter from the social welfare commissioner, Pune:
>> Only 28 students from the 2024-25 renewal batch have received first-semester payments.
>> The second instalment for same batch is still pending.
>> For 2025-26 batch, 25 students who enrolled between Jan and Mar 2026 have received no payments, including tuition, living allowance, health insurance.
>> Urgent allocation of pending funds has been requested.
When contacted, Undersecretary Meghana Shinde from the Minority Development Department declined to comment over the phone, "I will not give official comment on the phone. Come to the office," she said.
