HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM (HSSP)

We at KEI believe that no promising Kashmiri child who wants to receive an education and bring a positive change in their life and the society they are a part of, should be denied that right to want financial resources or lack of enabling environment. As such, HSSP is the largest program KEI considers key to our success by entering the lives of our scholars at an early and transformative stage of their lives. 

At HSSP, financial support is provided to at-risk meritorious high school students with grades above a specific level and annual family income below a certain threshold; which is grades above 75% and income less than INR 3 lacs. Scholarships are available for four years, from 9th to 12th grade. Scholarships are renewed based on performance in annual exams. The scholarship is withheld if the grades are less than 70%. Scholarships are only awarded once compelling grounds are demonstrated through interaction with the scholar. 

In 2023 we successfully completed the 15th year of this program with nearly 2000+ students benefiting. These are all exceptionally bright students identified as at risk of discontinuing education or at least being negatively impacted due to the inadequate financial situation of their families. By awarding scholarships, we act as equalizers and enablers for such students, engaging with them at a young age and through continuous mentoring, counseling, workshops, and access to opportunities; hope to create leaders of tomorrow. We also have programs like Supercoach where we monitor the progress of our students and offer guidance as and when needed.

In 2023, the HSSP result was the best in the last four years:

• 10th - 102, out of 213 scored greater than 90% 

• 11th - 117, out of 203scored greater than 90% 

• 12th - 108, 0ut of 199scored greater than 85%

• In 2023, - a number of scholars graduated from KEI, becoming proud KEI alumni.

Program Goals:

• Ensure bright at-risk students continue their education

• Give these students an identity – KEI Scholar

• Create a tribe - provide a peer group and a support system to express & discuss their requirements and seek guidance and counseling.

• Create a funnel - a focused cohort of scholars in their formative years for deeper intervention with sister programs such as mentorship, experiential opportunities, etc. 

• Holistic development of scholars as productive individuals for the community.

HSSP Selection Criteria:

• Provide financial assistance to at-risk meritorious high school students

  • FY23 - At-Risk = <3 lac pa, Meritorious = >75% in 8th board 

• The scholarship is provided for 4 years: 9th - 12th

  • Initially all grades, 2011 pivoted to high school based on research

• The scholarship amount is fixed across the board

  • FY23 - 9, 10 = 10k, 11, 12 = 24k.

  • FY23 - 9 = 10k, 10 = 15k, 11, 12 = 24k.

• The scholarship is continued on the basis of performance

  • FY23 - 70% or less, scholarship withheld but not discontinued

• Continuous monitoring of scholar performance

Verification Process:

• After ranking the Round-One list of applicants, we pick up the first 250 applications.

• Our volunteers perform on-the-ground financial / asset verification and sibling details of the applicants. 

• In case the verification fails and we are not able to get 200 scholars, we conduct a second round of verification for the applicants who are on the waiting list.

• In the final round, a cross-verification is done randomly from our end, approximately 10 from each district, before finalizing the list.

HSS Examination:

• Over 1000 applications scored 100% in the T2 examination, which made shortlisting 200 scholars extremely difficult.

• Assessment test for all the applicants who scored above 75%

• The test included everything from General knowledge to Science; based on multiple choice 60 questions, which were designed by well-known educationists and academicians from the valley.

• The examination was held at 6 different locations across the valley.

Image: HSS Examination 2023 Test Centers

Alumni:

• The journey of a KEI scholar commences in class 9th and graduates in class 12th becoming proud alumni. But, it doesn't end the relationship with the KEI. Alumni are an integral part of our organization and are true supporters of scholar success.

• As a graduate, scholars become a part of a volunteer group. Volunteering brings former scholars together to strengthen a connection with KEI and fellow graduates.

• Being a part of a volunteer group can open many doors and allow scholars to acquire a lot of different benefits. Not only does it allow a scholar to stay involved, but it also allows them to help others in the form of mentoring and organizing scholar-oriented workshops.

• From becoming doctors to winning fellowships, KEI alumni go on to achieve remarkable things.

• Our scholars are involved in a vast diversity of career accomplishments and there are thousands of stories within our alumni community.

With more than 1339 Alumni around the valley, hear from one of our alumni Umair Bashir.

TESTIMONIAL

I am Umair Bashir, an alumnus of Kashmir Education Initiative. My journey with KEI started as a scholar and continued as a volunteer. Being a scholar, I experienced a different world opening up to me; excited by a new encouraging environment and excelled academically. 

At first, I thought that KEI is an organization that provides only scholarships, but with time the other aspects came into the limelight. The workshops and other programs broadened my vision. Those sessions were worth attending and led to my overall personality development. My passion for volunteering increased with time after watching other peers doing the same at KEI. Volunteering has helped me to gain experience in my area of interest and meet people in the field. I was enlisted into the Student Advisory Board (SAB) as a member and with more experience, became its Social Media Lead. Since then I have been managing SAB's social media pages.

As an individual, I always try to learn new things and KEI helped me with this as well. I joined the A2STEM initiative as a member and learned about the latest courses like graphics design, robotics, and much more. 

Currently, I am enrolled in the Graduate Abroad Program of the Kashmir Education Initiative. This program will pave the way for my master's journey. I have been assigned a mentor who is guiding me in the admission procedures for the various leading universities. 

KEI truly made a difference for me and I am extremely grateful for being a part of this organization.