SALEM: Several Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students who secured admission to foreign universities under the Tamil Nadu govt’s Annal Ambedkar Overseas Higher Education Scholarship Scheme are facing financial crises as disbursal of scholarship funds remains delayed months after they commenced their studies abroad. The delay in disbursement of the financial assistance has left many students in countries like the UK, Australia, Ireland and Canada struggling to pay tuition fees and accommodation charges and meet daily expenses.According to students and their parents, the delay appears to be caused by procedural hurdles and prolonged verification. The students studying abroad have already submitted their expense claims and supporting documents for scholarship disbursement. Officials in the adi dravidar and tribal welfare department’s J section had informed them that their applications were still under process, the students said. The students and their parents urged the govt to expedite the process and release the amounts immediately.For the 2026-27 academic year, the govt selected 365 candidates under the scheme. An official reply from the department to RTI activist A Gnanaprakash states that while 164 students have joined universities abroad, scholarship assistance amounting to 19.53 crore has been released only to 65 students.Under the scheme, the govt bears a substantial portion of educational and living expenses of students belonging to SC/ST communities, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged families with annual household incomes below the prescribed eligibility ceiling (first slab — Rs 8 lakh total family annual income; and second slab — Rs 8 to Rs 12 lakh total family annual income).“We travelled overseas with confidence because we were assured that the govt assistance would be released on time. However, I am now facing the possibility of eviction as I have been unable to pay my rent for several weeks,” a postgraduate student studying in the UK told TOI.Many scholars report mounting pressure from universities over pending fee payments. The financial uncertainty has also taken an emotional toll, affecting their focus on studies.The impact of the delay is being felt equally by families back in Tamil Nadu. To support their children overseas, several parents exhausted savings, pledged jewellery, mortgaged assets and borrowed money at high interest rates. “We pawned the only gold jewellery owned by our family and borrowed from relatives and local lenders to ensure our son could continue studying,” said a parent.Another parent, whose daughter is pursuing higher studies in the Middle East, said, “We spend sleepless nights worrying about how she will manage rent, food and other expenses.”Activists point out that overseas scholarship schemes are designed to remove financial barriers faced by marginalised communities and ensure uninterrupted access to global educational opportunities. “Any delay in releasing the funds defeats the very purpose of such welfare measures,” said Poomozhi, a Salem-based activist.When contacted by TOI, adi dravidar and tribal welfare department secretary Dr N Subbaiyan said the matter would be examined. “I will check with the section concerned and take necessary steps,” he said.
