Educational Assistance To Children Of Prisoners (Pursuing Professional Course)

Description
The scheme “Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners Pursuing Professional Course ” was launched by the Department of Social Justice, Government of Kerala. To help the children of prisoners, the Government of Kerala has devised this scheme which provides educational assistance to children of prisoners up to degree-level courses as per G.O RT No. 322/2014/SJD dated 08-05-2014. When an individual gets convicted and punished for any crime it& 39;s not only the person who suffers, the one who suffers the most are their children. They get deprived of all their rights; they face a lack of opportunities for education and a financial crisis. When compared to the present educational standards, the assistance provided to children pursuing degree-level professional courses in Government / Aided colleges is inadequate. Considering the different types of fee structures for professional courses, State Government has fixed the assistance amount for children of prisoners to ₹100,000/- per student including annual fees & hostel fees.

Exclusions
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Benefits
• Note 01: The assistance amount also includes annual fees & hostel fees.
• Note 02: The assistance will be given to more than one child belonging to a single family.

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a native and resident of Kerala State.
2. The applicants should belong to Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.
3. The applicant must be the child of a prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment or death sentence.
4. Those applicants who have been admitted to courses through merit basis are eligible for assistance.
5. Applicant must have secured 70 % or above marks in Higher secondary level exams.
6. **Note 01:** Educational assistance is being provided for Degree level professional courses in Government/ Aided colleges inside Kerala.
7. **Note 02:** For courses like MBBS, B.VSc. assistance will be provided only if the children are studying in Government colleges.
8. **Note 03:** In case both mother and father are convicts and the child is being looked after by a relative who belongs to the Above Poverty Line (APL) category then the application can only be considered based on the inquiry report submitted by the Probation Officer.
9. **Note 04:** If more applicants are made, preference will be given based on the percentage of marks.

Application Process
Step 1: Registration Process:
Online — https://suneethi.sjd.kerala.gov.in

Registration Process:

Required Documents
• Copy of Aadhaar card
• Mobile number
• Email id
• Passport size photo
• Copy of Ration Card
• Certificate from the college with the annual fee, hostel fee, bank account number of the college, IFSC number, and proof that the student has been admitted to the merit seat
• Copy of the previous year's certificate
• Jail Superintendent's Certificate
• Other documents, if any

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the “Educational Assistance to Children of Prisoners (Pursuing Professional Course)” scheme?
A: The Government of Kerala has started this scheme to help the children of prisoners which provides educational assistance to children of prisoners up to degree-level courses. When an individual gets convicted and punished for any crime it's not only the person who suffers, the one who suffers the most are their children. They get deprived of all their rights; they face a lack of opportunities for education and a financial crisis.

Q: Which department has launched this scheme?
A: Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala

Q: Who is eligible to get the benefits under the scheme?
A: The applicant should be the child of a prisoner sentenced to life imprisonment or death sentence.

Q: Is this scheme only for the children of Prisoners?
A: Yes, this scheme is only for the children of Prisoners.

Q: Is this scheme only for a resident of Kerala?
A: Yes, the applicant should be a permanent resident of Kerala.

Q: Is this scheme only for Below Poverty Line (BPL) category?
A: Yes, the applicants should be from Below Poverty Line (BPL) category only.

Q: What should be the minimum percentage of marks required in Higher secondary level exams?
A: Applicant should have secured 70 % or above marks in Higher secondary level exams to avail of the benefits of the scheme.

Q: Will a student studying in a private college be eligible to apply under the scheme?
A: Educational assistance is being provided to those students studying Degree level professional courses in Government/ Aided colleges inside Kerala.

Q: Will financial assistance be provided to those children of prisoners being looked after by the relatives’ falling under the Above Poverty Line (APL) category?
A: Yes, in case both mother and father are convicts and the child is being looked after by a relative who belongs to the Above Poverty Line (APL) category then the application can only be considered based on the inquiry report submitted by the Probation Officer.

Q: Who will get preference under the scheme?
A: If more applicants are made, preference will be given based on the percentage of marks.

Q: What is the benefit of the scheme?
A: Under the scheme, State Government is providing assistance amount of [?]100,000/- (per student) to the children of prisoners for pursuing degree-level professional courses in Government / Aided colleges.

Q: How many children of a single family can avail of the benefits under the scheme?
A: The assistance will be given to more than one child belonging to a single family.

Q: How can an applicant apply under the scheme?
A: To avail of the benefits of the scheme, the applicant should visit the Official Portal- SUNEETHI- Online Service Application Portal. https://suneethi.sjd.kerala.gov.in