1. Scholarship Program
“True scholarship consists in knowing not what things exist, but what they mean; it is
not memory but judgment.”
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James Russell Lowell
Contents
Scholarship Program ...................................................................................................................... 1
Overview ___________________________________________________ ............ 2
Higher Education and India.................................................................................................... 2
SIF Scholarship Program for higher education abroad........................................................... 3
Modus Operandi of Scholarship Program .................................................................................. 4
Challenges................................................................................................................................... 5
Modus Operandi of Proposed Solutions..................................................................................... 6
Benefits to Stakeholders of Scholarship Program ...................................................................... 8
Benefits to Students................................................................................................................. 8
Benefits to Foreign University............................................................................................... 10
Benefits to Donors................................................................................................................. 11

2. For more than a half of a century, the Sakal India Foundation has invested in education.
A shift is proposed in the model by ensuring sustainability and exchange leadership
program model. This model of return involvement and actions will positively involve
those who qualify the criterias. The sharing of best practice and global learning will make
way for a cultural and socio- economical balance and bridge the gaps between distant
lands.
Overview
___________________________________________________
Higher Education and India
With a population of almost 1.2 billion people, India is the second most populous
country in the world. Thirty percent of the population lives in urban centers, such as
Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi, the capital, which has a population equal to the entire
country of Australia. An incredibly diverse country, India has 15 national languages and
myriad religions and ethnic groups. By 2025, the number of 15-24 year olds is expected
to rise to 100 million—twice the number of young adults in North America and 25
percent more than in all of Europe.
In addition to a large and growing population, India also has the third largest higher
education system in the world, behind China and the U.S., in terms of number of
students enrolled. The highly centralized system consists of over 400 institutions
established and recognized by the Indian government, including 20 central universities,
215 state universities, 100 deemed universities and 13 institutions of national
importance, which include the world-renowned.
There are over 21,000 colleges of varying degrees of quality for accessing higher
education for India’s youth which is limited due to social, economic and political factors.
Nearly 40 percent of higher education students come from lower socioeconomic strata.
Over the last several years many universities and colleges, particularly private
institutions and IITs and IIMs, have added fees and increased the cost of tuition, making
higher education, including vocational and technical degrees, prohibitively expensive for

3. the nation’s poor. As a result, entrance examinations for top universities tend to favor
the nation’s rich, who are often from large urban centers.
While IITs, IIMs and a select number of public universities have established an
international reputation for excellence, they collectively enroll only a small fraction of
the higher education population. Most importantly, currently the control of international
study abroad market in India, is in the private players hands and the Foreign
Educational Institutions Bill in facing challenges to be passed in parliament.
With over 21,000 colleges, creating national standards has been an arduous task, rife
with political and social implications. This has resulted in a large degree of incongruence
in the quality of education provided to the relatively small educated elite and the rest of
the population.
As India’s population’s mindset continues to grow, improving quality and access to
mainstream higher education institutions and scholarships will make a more equitable
society, and will also be vital to the overall quality and absorption of workforce within
the country to insure inclusive growth.
Currently, as the world becomes increasingly interconnected, SIF will be taking these
challenging steps through this Scholarship program to expand knowledge and attitudes
in order to train its people to successfully participate in the emerging global community.
By applying the best practices learnt across the globe to uphold and applying the Nation
and its people’s strength.
SIF Scholarship Program for higher education abroad
Under SIF Scholarship programs the criteria for selection of the student is done based on
the quality of the application and interview by committee. An amount of Rs 30 Lakhs are
provided as scholarships annually to 50 students shortlisted from the invited entries
that respond to the newspaper advertisement and other modes of publicity done both
internally and externally throughout the organization.
Currently, students have the option to select a university or college around the world
adhering to the openness to global culture. SIF is an educational organization
dedicated to providing enriched learning experiences that promote intercultural
awareness, tolerance and communication. By providing immersive learning
experiences in new environments combined with regular reflection and coaching
opportunities, SIF helps participants build solid foundations for the future—
whether in their academic careers, entry into the workforce or simply as
responsible and tolerant members of the larger community.

4. Thus the program offers to focus on increasing intercultural competence and
sharing of best practices. Using experiential and structured learning methods,
participants have the chance to broaden their perspectives and learn from each
other, developing their communication skills in the process. The result effect is
solid preparation to live, work and lead in a diverse global society which will build
India as a nation and a people force that is the best in all respect.
Modus Operandi of Scholarship Programs
 Find the Funding
To cover the expenses for managing the program and disbursing the scholarship
funds. The funds can be raised through Corporate CSR, Institutional Donors and
Individual Donors.
 Establish a Budget
Creating a scholarship takes a bit more than handing out money to deserving
students. There is a need to cover the costs of managing and promoting program
(paper applications, online, website maintenance, etc.), and ultimately, awarding
the scholarship prize(s).
 Determine the Criteria
Scholarships can be awarded based on merit (grades), need (income), athletic
ability, skills, creative content, and more. The criteria should be objective and
nondiscriminatory, allowing for the recipient(s) to be selected from a group
broad enough to be considered a charitable class. There is a need to check with
legal guidelines to ensure that the program adheres to all legal requirements
governing scholarship programs.
 Create the Application
Depending on preference, work is done with an online or paper application (or
both). Electronic application can expedite the process and save the expense of
printing paper and paying for postage. Even long applications may discourage
students from applying, so they are need to be kept short and to the point.
 Set the Deadline
A minimum of 60 days or more to is required to promote program and another
six to eight weeks to select your recipient(s), so planning ahead is very important.

5. Making sure the intended applicants have plenty of time to review, prepare, and
apply for the award.
 Select the Winner(s)
It’s a good idea to create a grading rubric (1-10, A-F, or other scale), as this will
ensure consistency among the reviewers and provide evidence that enlisted
specific criteria when selecting winner. Scholarship committees often use online
collaboration tools, in-person meetings, or Excel files to help grade applications
and discuss possible contenders/winners. Once the winner is chosen, he/she is
notified by certified mail, email, and/or phone.
 Award the Scholarship
Toensure the funds are used for educational expenses, scholarship funds are
directed to the school and not the student. Even it is made sure to indicate how
the funds may be used, as this may have a direct effect on the student’s financial
aid received from his/her institution. To minimize the possibility of a student
having his/her aid reduced, it is considered to authorize the use of award for any
educational expenses and not restricting it to tuition only.
 Scholarship Application Management System (SAMS)
The system like SAMS offered by ScholarshipExperts.com and other such process
driven applications can help manage scholarship.
Challenges
 Lack of maintenance of the sustainability model: The existing
scholarships do not ensure any returns and upkeep of the corpus value that are
given as a donation with not returned back clause. Thus, they lack the
sustainability model which is a major concern area. The scholarships are
proposed to be given to individuals with due consideration on the return of
investment.
 Brain drain: After acquiring the learning and expertise most of the students
settle abroad. They don’t return back to the country or get involved or committed
in serving their roots. They need to give back or contribute to its growth.
 Scholarship amount is meager considering the global education fees:
The individual scholarship amount is not sufficient to cover complete courses and

6. admissions fees which are globally higher. Its a setback that partial support can
only be offered even for the deserving and bright individuals. So ultimately, they
have to arrange the remaining amount by themselves which fails to create
complete reliability and commitment to the core.
 Number of scholarship count fixed: Fixed number of individuals are given a
specific amount which does not consider unequal distribution among deserving
scholars. In contrary if scholarship amount and student count is kept flexible a
better distribution can happen as per the applicant's requirements and global fee
standards. So in case if there is a student who is suitable for a specific course,
they can avail a flexible amount which can be adjusted by reducing the number of
scholarships granted. Thus, covering the entire cost instead of partial coverage of
the scholarship amount.
 The Build India concept not highlighted: As of now, the students are
invited to make a choice of the course or university from any countries. So focus
or crucial ‘ Build India concept’ is neglected which is a pain point that is to be
addressed within the functioning process. So by a more systematic and focused
approach the scholarship provider will offer to filter and identify the institutions
and countries so that the key strength areas are supported by the grant.
 Best Practices exchange program not happening: When encouraging the
study abroad scholarship programs, it is important to keep in mind the reciprocal
nature of cultural exchange of best practices happens. Thus, students should be
committed to give back to the communities they are have roots in when their
education is completed. So it has to be ensured that they come back and serve the
country for a fixed period of time.
Modus Operandi of Proposed Solutions
The lasting legacy of the Sakal India Foundation will be carried by thousands of
extraordinary individuals who will be fulfilling and keeping the promise taken on being
awarded the scholarships of giving back to the Nation. The cultural and social exposure
of these professionals will help development a skilled workforce for the Nation in a
building.
1. No interest loan: The scholarship amount canbe given as a loan without charging any
interest from the receivers which they can returnback unlike that the banks that asks for
additional interest. The loan crunch can thus be addressed and more scholarships given
ensuring the sustainability model and reverse flow of funds.

7. 2. Tie ups with university for discounts: The universities and courses can be
identified and tie ups done with them where the scholarship students can be sent so that
a relation is established and group discounts availed which international universities are
open to offer. Such tie ups can be focused and selection done after an analysis of the
requirement of areas or topic of study mindful of the need- growth based analysis.
3. Reverse brain drain: The program can propose to ensure a reverse brain drain
through the inclusion of the criteria of returning back to the country and serving it. Thus
a check can be put on the filtration of the best brains to foreign countries. Even the
acquired and skill force be used for upholding the cause of the nation acting as trained
workforce for trainers others.
4. Creative programming: Expanding study abroad programming into more career-
specific areas, such as business and management or IT, will have the potential to attract
future professionals back to the country who may not otherwise be attracted to work in
India for nation building. As we host numerous international and domestic NGOs,
development groups and service agencies, India can become the ideal location for
focusing on issues of public health, human rights, peace and social justice and employ
the workforce that have been part and parcel of their culture and can handle the barriers
that hinder growth.
5. Pave way for Independent research and internships: In addition to pursuing
unique and creative courses of study, incorporating opportunities for practical
experiences, such as field visits, independent research and internships are an important
component of study abroad programs, which are hosted by a large number of non-profit,
development and service organizations that can also be included under the scholarship
preview so that these institutions can come and practice the work and share the learning
using the resources that they have trained under the scholarship program.
6. Leverage all existing connections with India: It will be rewarding to take time to
research and ferret out all existing linkages the foreign institution has with India which
can be channelized. Faculty and research scholars from India, international students and
alumni from India and alumni of previous study abroad programs from India can all
assist in building interest in campus and virtually. These can be approached and linked
with the help of the scholarship holders. In addition, community members of Indian
descent and state and local government contacts from visiting trade delegations from
India may also be of assistance who canbe brought under one umbrella to leverage the
India Nation building responsibility on through these scholarship holders at least on a
social network zone.

8. 7. Building the Nation: In order to engrain the ‘Build India’ concept it is important to
have the commitment of the students to serve the country for a fixed tenure so that the
return of Investment is ensured and the exchange of best practices happens. Even
relations with selective countries made harmonious with the programs that they can
offer for the students on the specific areas and expertise that are needed within the
country.
Benefits to Stakeholders of Scholarship Program
Benefits to Students
 Intercultural Sensitivity: People who take part in SIF exchange programs will show
increased intercultural development and more global awareness. This is ascertained by
using the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity (DMIS), a scale that
identifies varying worldviews through which people perceive cultural difference. SIF
Participants will held in improvement in the development of the country, as a group
moving nearly 2 points on the scale away from ethnocentric tendencies towards an
ethnorelative outlook that evaluates new people based on their values and perspectives.
 Personal Development and Growth: SIF Participants will experience dramatically
lowered feelings of anxiety in new environments as a result of their time abroad. Not
only do they feel more comfortable around people from other cultures, they are much
less likely to view the world in terms of "them" and "us." The exchange experiences
would create a desire to live in a diverse neighborhood, as compared to only their
country peers.
 Cost: Scholarships for students are a chance for students to study in a cost-effective
manner. Some scholarships give chance to go to college for free but with the concept of
return on investment the students become reliable and liable.
 Addressing the divide: The cost of education has risen manifold over the past few
years, kicking it out of the reach of families with low income. A degree has become a
necessity to get a good job and scholarships for students are ensuring that everyone has a
chance to do so.

9.  No repayment of interest: Unlike student loans, the scholarships interest do not
have to be repaid. Scholarships for students are a great initiative to ensure that the
student does not have to work while studying, though some of them do. The students
who earn and learn at the same time do so to supplement their income, not to pay off a
loan. But the repayment clause helps them to learn about managing time both personally
and professionally.
 Experience a new culture and share their best practices: The best way of
finding out about another culture is by immersing in it, that can be done immensely by
international experience of studying abroad. Students who pursue a master's degree at a
foreign institution gain a unique cultural and get experience in acquiring new skills and
best practice of the country that offers them expert training on specific areas of their
interest like Agriculture, Economics, Social Sciences or Technology.
 Build a world with an emotional, social and cultural bonding: It’s likely that
the university they choose for international studies will have a large community of
students both from the local area and all around the globe. The advantage of this
opportunity, is that having established lasting friendships with people based in many
different countries happen – great for future trips, and also a good basis for building
global network. It can provide an excellent opportunity to make new contacts and build
invaluable relationships with peers from around the world both personally and
professionally.
 Best practice sharing connect high: Being part of an internationally diverse
academic community can also enhance the quality of learning, provide a wider spectrum
of opinions and best practice sharing.
 Become truly global and independent: The experience of university is, for most
new students, a steep learning curve in gaining independence. But studying abroad takes
a whole step further, challenging students to really develop as global individuals.
 Outlook towards the broader picture and diversity: Studying abroad provides an
opportunity to expand one's field of view and helps one to understand and analyze
problems and phenomena from a longer-term, worldwide perspective.Long-term
experience in other cultures has a tendency to help one think objectively about oneself
and one's home country, tolerate differences, and recognize and appreciate diversity.
 Get ready for an international workplace: This international experience prepares
students for future careers. Students are more open to new knowledge and expertise
when abroad, and that knowledge is often more easily applicable and adaptable to
situations requiring international interaction; thus one can expect to be more
competitive in today's era of globalization.

10.  Develop language skills: Studying abroad is a chance to develop language skills,
either through studying in a second language or by practicing the language spoken
locally. A growing number of courses around the world are taught in English, particularly
at graduate level, and of course proficiency in English has many applications across all
kinds of careers. But indeed any additional language skills are an asset.
 Study in a global hub on a focused field: Leading global hub in specific field are
established at many countries. This could mean that they offer the opportunities to learn
from renowned experts and guest speakers, and impressive work experience. Countries
are especially well-known as leaders in a particular field of research and development, or
a particular strand of education. “Germany is synonymous with advances in engineering
technology, the US with top business and management programs such as Harvard, MIT
and Stanford (to name but a few), Australia screams art and design and sport, and
Canada has its world-renowned ‘co-op programs’. So when specializations is the aim
them focused approach is a must.
 Travel more widely: Finally, studying abroad is a chance to travel more widely around
the world region. Country-hopping during holidays and weekends is also possible,
depending on student base of study.
Benefits to Foreign University
 Lead to Global alliances and Cross Cultural Exchange: By hosting international
students, they can share language and culture with someone from another part of the
world who can introduce them to their culture and language. There are wide chances for
cultural exchange between the host family and the students from which both can gain
mutual benefits by understanding the significance of upholding human values. Hosting a
foreign exchange student is a unique experience thus, the path is made for global
alliances.
 Lifelong Relationships: There are instances where these types of host-guest
relationships turn into lifelong friendship making this cross-cultural exchange a
wonderful and exceptional experience.
 Avail Tax Benefits: The income you receive from hosting international students is tax
free upto certain limit and fixed in some countries. The amount which is free from tax
varies in different countries.
 Opening gates to study abroad centers/chapters: Hosting international students
gives them an opportunities to open up doors for their students to study abroad.

11.  Practice Hospitality And Generosity: Chance to exhibit hospitality skills to
foreigners thereby building up the image of the country to the outsiders. It also helps
students to learn to share when there’s an extra person in the house.
 Helps To Change the Perspective Of The World: By hosting international
students they will be able to evaluate views on the world and may even change
misconceptions. This may also help them to get an idea about how others perceive
cultures and how economies of the world function.
 Re-Examining their own Life: Hosting international students gives them an
opportunity to evaluate lifestyle and habits from another angle which may help to bring
positive changes to their life.
Benefits to Donors
 Contribute to Nation Building: Setting up a fund with SIF is easy way to create a
simple way to fulfill multiple charitable interests for nation building as its working to
upload its values and strengths.
 Permanence: When an endowed fund with SIF scholarship is set, it’s done for life.
Because the principal of the original gift is retained in fund while earnings are used for
grant making year after year, as assured gift(s) will continue to benefit agencies and
residents of the community.
 Open to one and all:SIF Scholarship Funds can be set up by individuals, businesses,
corporations and community or nonprofit groups. A private family foundation can
always be transferred to a fund set up under the Community Foundation, easing the cost
and burden of yearly administration.
 Security: Since SIF’s establishment in 1959, it has retained and honed skill in
managing and safeguarding donor contributions. The Foundation practices prudent
stewardship and carefully manages each fund to ensure the highest growth possible as
well as ensuring that each fund’s use will be in keeping with the donor’s original intent as
long as it is realistically sensible and possible.

12.  Public Accountability: All grants given by the Foundation are used to benefit the
public interest and are publicly disclosed as required by law. In addition, the Foundation
publishes an annual report to stay connected with donors, grantees, and the community
at large, creating a transparency that enables all those we serve to better understand our
accomplishments and mission.Finally, an independent audit of our financials is
performed annually and all financial information is publicly disclosed.
 Philanthropic Recognition: SIF Scholarship helps donors establish a personal legacy
by creating permanent, endowed funds in their names since many donors appreciate the
opportunity to assist the community while being recognized for their philanthropy.
 Tax Benefits: As a community foundation, we differ from a private foundation because
we offer maximum tax advantages under federal law to our donors. These advantages are
of a greater nature than can be found through a private foundation. Donations to the
Community Foundation are deductible as allowed by the Tax Code.
 Support in skilled workforce lead creation: The SIF scholarship fund support and
makes sure that the funds are granted to students that can represent the country globally
as skilled workforce and uphold the roots by their return commitments to the great cause
of the Indian society growth and value enlargement.