Education & Scholarship

Guidance that helps rural students reach scholarships and stay in school

This is the foundation's flagship work: preparing students for scholarship examinations such as NMMS and Navodaya, guiding them through the applications, and running free learning programmes that keep them on track.

Focus: NMMS, Navodaya, NTSE, state
Coaching: Weekend classes & mock tests
Support: Free learning programmes
For: Classes 5–10, then stream choice

Scholarship Guidance

How the scholarship guidance cell works

Most rural families do not have easy access to information about scholarship examinations — when to apply, who is eligible, and how to prepare. The guidance cell fills that gap.

We work with government and aided schools around Pauni to identify eligible students in classes 7 and 8, run regular preparation classes outside school hours, hold timed mock tests, and help families complete the application and documentation correctly and on time.

Completely free for students and families
Delivered in partnership with local schools
Taught in Marathi with English practice material

The preparation cycle

Step 1
Identify students
Teachers and our coordinators shortlist eligible students and brief parents.
Step 2
Prepare
Weekend and after-school classes covering the mental-ability and scholastic sections of the syllabus.
Step 3
Mock tests
Timed practice papers with individual feedback and revision plans.
Step 4
Apply
Support with the online form, documents, income and caste certificates, and deadlines.

NMMS & Navodaya

Scholarship examinations we prepare students for

The examinations below open doors to financial support or a place at a residential school. Eligibility rules are summarised here — we confirm the current year's criteria with each family.

NMMS — National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship

Who it is for: Class 8 students in government, local-body and aided schools.
Eligibility: Family income below the notified limit; minimum marks in class 7; sit the state MAT + SAT test.
How we help: Full coaching for the MAT and SAT sections, mock tests and application support. The scholarship then continues through classes 9–12 subject to results.

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test

Who it is for: Class 5 students seeking admission to class 6 at a residential Navodaya school.
Eligibility: Studying in a government or recognised school in the district; age within the notified band; a rural quota applies to most seats.
How we help: Preparation for the mental-ability, arithmetic and language sections, plus guidance for parents on the admission process.

NTSE / state talent search

Who it is for: High-performing students in class 10 (state stage).
Eligibility: Enrolled in class 10; meet the state's qualifying marks; sit the MAT + SAT papers.
How we help: Advanced problem-solving practice and past-paper work for students who clear our internal screening.

State pre- and post-matric scholarships

Who it is for: Students from SC, ST, OBC, VJNT and EWS categories, and girl students under specific schemes.
Eligibility: Category and income criteria as notified by the Maharashtra government; enrolment in a recognised course.
How we help: Help identifying the right scheme, preparing documents, and submitting on the MahaDBT portal before the deadline.

Eligibility and award amounts are set by the respective government bodies and change from year to year. We verify the latest rules before every application cycle.

Competitive Exams

Guidance beyond class 10

Once students clear class 10, the questions change: which stream, which entrance exam, and how to prepare without expensive coaching. We offer orientation, not full coaching, and point students to reliable free resources.

Stream & subject choice

Sessions on choosing science, commerce or arts based on interest and career options, not just marks.

Entrance-exam orientation

An overview of exams such as JEE, NEET, MHT-CET, CUET and the NDA route — timelines, syllabus and realistic preparation plans.

Free study resources

Curated lists of government and NGO resources, scholarship portals, and library and online material.

Students who need structured coaching are connected with partner institutions and scholarship-supported programmes where available.

Programmes

Free and supported educational programmes

Alongside scholarship guidance, we run regular programmes that keep students learning at grade level and build confidence.

After-school learning support

Small-group help in language, mathematics and science for students at risk of falling behind.

Classes 5–10

Girls' learning circles

Peer-learning groups combining academic support with life skills and menstrual-health education.

Adolescent girls

Digital literacy

Basic computer, internet and typing skills, plus safe and responsible use of technology.

Class 8 upwards & youth

Student competitions & talent

Quiz, essay, science-model and sport events that give students a stage and recognition.

All ages

All programmes listed here are free to students. Costs are met by donations and CSR partnerships.

Student Outcomes

Where the guidance leads

A few short accounts from students who came through the programme. Fuller stories are on the Success Stories page.

I cleared NMMS in class 8 and the scholarship has covered my study costs ever since.

NMMS scholar, Pauni taluka

The practice tests made the real Navodaya exam feel familiar. I now study at a residential school.

Navodaya selection

I had never used a computer before the class. I now do data-entry work near home.

Digital literacy programme

Back a student's education

Your support funds coaching classes, mock tests, study material and application help for students who would otherwise miss out.

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