Kerala Scholarships Website: www.khnascholarships.org
2010-2011 Scholarships Application Deadline: January 15, 2010
Washington, DC, November 24, 2009:
Kerala Hindus of North America (KHNA), the prominent organization of Malayali Hindus living in USA, Canada and Mexico, has announced the continuation of its scholarship program for the fourth straight year. This program was started in 2006 to provide financial assistance to bright and economically disadvantaged students of Kerala pursuing professional degree programs. The scholarships are administered by a committee appointed by the KHNA Trustee Board. The committee is chaired by Mr. Haridasan Pillai (Dallas, TX). Over the past three years, 115 students have been offered scholarships and several have received them for multiple years as they continue their studies.
KHNA scholarships are provided entirely by community support. Most scholarships are sponsored by individuals and families in memory of a loved one. KHNA requests more corporate sponsors to come forward and sponsor scholarships. Since the scholarships are administered by KHNA, sponsors avoid administrative overheads and are relieved of the burden of selecting the right candidate. Besides helping the needy students, scholarships are also a way to give back to our motherland.
Trustee Board Chairman Mr. Raju Nanoo (New York, NY) said that it is imperative for the KHNA community to take note of the dire situation faced by poor students in Kerala with the continued increase in tuition fees and expenses for professional colleges. KHNA will continue the successful fund raising efforts over the past years and will continue to raise awareness of the program among the Hindu community members.
KHNA President Mr. M. Gangadhara Menon (Washington, DC) urged the community of Kerala Hindus in North America to offer their generous contributions for the successful continuation of the scholarship program and thanked the donors who have supported the program in the past.
This year, KHNA will be offering a limited number of scholarships sponsored by individuals for the full duration of the course. Scholarships are offered to students in their first year of professional studies. These shall be renewed for the second year subject to satisfactory academic progress of the student and funds availability. Each scholarship shall be a sum of $250.00 per year. In addition to the regular scholarships KHNA may also award one-time financial assistance to a few deserving students.
To be eligible for KHNA scholarships, student should be currently enrolled in a post-Higher Secondary course leading to a professional degree program such as Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing or Pharmacology. Online or correspondence courses will not be considered for scholarships. Combined annual income of the student and the student's parents or guardians should not exceed Indian Rupees 50,000.00. Applicants should have scored at least 85% aggregate marks in the Higher Secondary level (12th Standard) examination.
Applications for these scholarships must be submitted in the prescribed form available on the KHNA Scholarship website
www.khnascholarships.org .
The following items also should be included in the application package:
1. Income certificate showing annual income from all sources.
2. An essay of up to 3 pages written by the student on the topic
"The role played by temples in bringing about more unity in the Hindu Society”. The essay may be written in English or Malayalam.
3. A letter from the student explaining the financial need. Submit income details of all family members.
4. Attested copy of the mark list and a recent passport size photograph
5. Proof of admission to a professional degree program.
6. A recommendation letter from a local Hindu community organization.
Those who were granted scholarships in previous years may apply for renewal using the renewal application form available on the scholarship website. They should also submit the essay, current income certificate, current mark list, recent photo and a letter explaining the financial need.
Applications should be sent to
KHNA, Post Box No. 144, G.P.O., Thiruvananthapuram 695 001, Kerala by regular mail. Registered mail and mail sent by courier cannot be accepted.
Completed applications must be received by KHNA on or before January 15, 2009.
Incomplete applications shall not be considered. Students will be selected by the scholarship committee based on their proven eligibility and financial need. KHNA will notify selected applicants individually and the list will be published on the scholarship website.
