Shardashish Scholarship - UNM Foundation

UNM Guideline for Students

Scholarship Loan for Higher Education in US

An educated populace is vital in today's world. Knowledge accumulation and application have become major factors in economic development and are increasingly at the core of a country's competitive advantage in the global economy. University education is more than the next level in the learning process; it is a critical component of human development worldwide. It provides not only the high-level skills necessary for every labour market but also the knowledge, training and perspective essential for teachers, doctors, nurses, civil servants, engineers, humanists, entrepreneurs, scientists, social scientists and a myriad of other personnel. It is these educated individuals who develop the capacity and analytical skills that drive economies, support civil society, teach children, lead effective governments and make important decisions which affect entire societies. In today's seamless, digital world possessing global perspective, state of art knowledge and cutting edge skills can help create the next generation of path breaking leaders and decision makers. Higher education abroad enables acquisition of such perspective, knowledge and skills. Meritorious students in India from underprivileged families cannot afford higher education abroad and remain deprived of this opportunity to learn, attain rewarding careers and contribute. UNM Foundation intends to support such meritorious students from economically challenged families through the scholarship programme.

The UNM Foundation under its “Shardashish Scholarship Programme” awards interest-free loan scholarships to meritorious and deserving students. The scholarship amount ($ 10,000 or 50 % of 1st year annual tuition fees, whichever is lower) will be decided as per the Assessment Committee of the Foundation.

The scholarships are awarded to students who wish to pursue their postgraduate studies in the fields of Pure Sciences, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Law, Architecture and Management at prestigious international universities in US.

Eligibility Criteria

• Indian nationals residing in India.
• Students below 25 years of age.
• Graduates of a recognised university (students in the final year of a degree course and those awaiting their results are also eligible to apply).
• Students having sought admission for a postgraduate degree programme at any prestigious university. (Those who are awaiting a decision from a university are also eligible to apply. However, the award of the scholarship is subject to securing admission).

Application Procedure

• Applications for UNM Foundation Scholarships for Higher Studies will be invited by the Foundation for every academic year.
• The candidate is required to complete the registration by filling in the online application form from www.unmfoundation.com.
• All the supporting documents required, should be uploaded at the time of filling of the form.
• Online application forms should be submitted before 31st May 2026.
• Only candidates shortlisted for the next round of the selection process will be contacted by the Foundation.
• The next round of the selection process is the interview round, for which candidates are required to come down to the Foundation's office.
• Shortlisted students/candidates will be required to produce duly attested supporting documents at the time of interview.

Steps for filling the online form

• Please visit website www.unmfoundation.com
• Click on the link for filling the online application form.
• On clicking, the page will redirect you to a registration page, where basic details will be required to be filled.
• Once the details are filled, an automated e-mail will be sent to your registered e-mail address to verify OTP.
• Please Verify OTP and set your password by entering required details. Login using registered Email ID and the set password.
• and the set password. Please fill in all the required details and upload the required documents.
• Once the details are filled, please click on final submit button which will submit the online form.

Supporting Documents to be uploaded along with Application Form (attested copy)

• Mark sheets of Std. Xth, XIIth, and all years of the undergraduate programme and degree certificates.
• Score cards of any qualifying examination taken (eg. GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, IELTS etc.).
• Copy of the admission letter(s) from the university, if obtained.
• Reference letters - Minimum two.
• Statement of the course fee and any other financial document (this would include any other letter indicating the receipt of a scholarship, other source of funding, fee waiver etc.).
• Copy of I-20 document.
• Copy of the passport.
• Income Tax Returns OR statement of Income from the employer (Minimum Past three years) of parents/ spouse OR all earning family members OR the guardian.

Selection Procedure for the Scholarship

All applications will be screened for shortlisting. Only shortlisted candidates will be informed. It is mandatory for all the shortlisted candidates to attend a personal interview.

Please note: The interview is the basis for final selection.

Post Selection Formalities

The Foundation will announce the final list of scholars on its website.

Documentation

It is mandatory for all the scholars to submit self-attested copies of the following documents within the timeline as decided by the Foundation:

• The letter confirming admission to the college/ university for the proposed course of study.
• I-20 of students admitted in US universities.

Orientation Programme

An orientation programme is held for all the scholars in Ahmedabad. It is mandatory for every scholar to attend the Programme.

Scholarship Paperwork

All the paperwork pertaining to the Scholarship will be completed on the second day of the Orientation Programme. The paperwork will include the following:

• Memorandum of Understanding- Awardees will be required to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Foundation and agree to its terms and conditions.
• Undertaking- Guarantors along with the Awardees will be required to sign an Undertaking.
• Insurance- Scholars are required to take out an Insurance Policy and assign the same to the Foundation.

Disbursement and Repayment

On receiving a copy of the visa, the scholarship amount will be disbursed to the student. Repayments will commence one year after the completion of the course as per the following schedule:

• year after course completion: 30% of the scholarship amount
• year after course completion: 40% of the scholarship amount
• year after course completion: 30% of the scholarship amount

Contact Information

For more information on the Scholarship Programme please feel free to write to us on:

shardashish@unmfoundation.com.

Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQ's) :-

1. What is the Education Loan Scholarship Programme?

The UNM Foundation under its “Shardashish Scholarship Programme” awards interest-free loan scholarships to meritorious and deserving students. The scholarship amount (USD 10,000) will be decided as per the Assessment Committee of the Foundation.

Repayments will commence one year after the completion of the course as per the following schedule:

• 1st year after course completion: 30% of the scholarship amount
• 2nd year after course completion: 40% of the scholarship amount
• 3rd year after course completion: 30% of the scholarship amount

2. Which courses does the Scholarship Programme cover?

The scholarships are awarded to students who wish to pursue their postgraduate studies in the fields of Pure Sciences, Engineering, Applied Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities, Law, Architecture, and Management at prestigious international universities in the United States.

3. Who can apply?

Any Indian national residing in India, who has graduated from a recognized university and is willing to pursue a postgraduate course in the USA can apply. Students who are in the final year of graduation and awaiting their results can also apply.

4. What is the mode of application?

The application form needs to be filled online. Physical submission or submission of the application form or documents via email shall not be entertained.

5. How to apply?

Please visit www.unmfoundation.com and click on the link for registration. Once the user completes registration, an automated OTP email will be sent to the registered email address. After OTP verification, the user must set a password, log in, fill in the application form, and submit it successfully.

6. I have registered but not received an email on my registered email address?

Once registered, the OTP will be sent to the user. Please wait for some time, recheck the entered email address, and also check the SPAM folder.

7. Can a student apply if planning to study in a foreign university outside the United States of America?

Currently, the foundation is only accepting applications from students who are planning to study in the United States of America.

8. Can a student apply if he has not received final admission from the international university?

Students may apply even if the admission letter is awaited by selecting the “Awaited” option under result status. Final award of the scholarship depends on securing admission and submission of required documents.

9. Can a student edit the application form or submit additional documents after final submission?

Once the Final Submit button is clicked, the application becomes non-editable. Students are requested to carefully review all details and uploaded documents before submission.

10. How does the evaluation process work?

After the application deadline, the management team evaluates all applications based on merit and financial need. Shortlisted candidates are called for a personal interview, after which selected students are notified via email.

11. How can I check the status of my application?

Shortlisted students will be contacted for interviews. Final application status will be communicated through email. Students should wait for official communication from the management team.

12. Who can become guarantors for loan repayment?

Any earning family member or relative can act as a guarantor for the student’s loan amount.

13. From whom should a student obtain a letter of recommendation?

Letters of recommendation can be obtained from former professors, employers, or other professional individuals relevant to the student’s field of study.

14. Are all documents required to be attested before submission?

All documents uploaded online must be attested. Self-attestation by the student is also acceptable.

15. What is the use of the “Uploaded Document Status” button?

This button allows students to view the status of documents that are required, already uploaded, or pending upload.

16. When will the Final Submit button become active?

The Final Submit button becomes active only after all required fields are filled and all mandatory documents are uploaded successfully.

17. In case of any query, how should a student contact the Management Team?

Students may contact the management team by emailing shardashish@unmfoundation.com. Please mention the Application Number and Name in the email subject for faster assistance.