Una, February 8: The dream of a promising student is most deeply hurt when, despite having the ability, financial limitations stand as a wall in their path. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has not only understood this pain of children and parents but has also ensured that no talented student in the state leaves their higher education incomplete simply due to lack of funds.
The result of this sensitive and student-centric approach is the Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Student Loan Scheme, which is today giving the youth of Himachal Pradesh not only the confidence to dream but also the means to realize those dreams.
*Low Interest and Great Support*
Launched in 2023, this scheme is proving to be a boon for meritorious students whose path to higher education was being hampered by a lack of financial resources. Under the scheme, the state government is providing education loans of up to Rs. 20 lakh at an interest rate of only 1 percent.
This loan amount can be used to cover tuition fees, hostel fees, food, and other educational expenses.
*Increased Income Limit, Wider Scope of Opportunities*
Anil Kumar, Deputy Director of Higher Education in Una district, says that earlier the annual income limit for beneficiary families under this scheme was Rs. 4 lakh, which has now been increased to Rs. 12 lakh.
He says that this decision will bring many more students from the middle class under the ambit of the scheme and enable them to fulfill their dreams of higher education. Currently, three students from Una district are pursuing higher education in prestigious institutions across the country under this scheme.
*Eligibility and Application Process*
To avail of the scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Himachal Pradesh. A minimum of 60 percent marks in the previous class and a maximum age limit of 28 years have also been stipulated.
The scheme includes various professional courses, including medical, pharmacy, nursing, engineering, and management.
The application process has been made completely digital, simple, and transparent. Interested students can download Form-2 from the website of the Deputy Director Higher Education Una, www.ddheuna.in, or from the website of the Director School Education Shimla. The filled-in form can be submitted to the office of the Deputy Director Higher Education, Una, on any working day.
*The administration is committed to ensuring that the benefits reach every eligible student*
In this regard, Deputy Commissioner Una, Jatin Lal, said that this scheme is a strong example of the state government's student-centric approach. As per the instructions of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the district administration is ensuring that all eligible students receive the benefits of the scheme in a simple, transparent, and timely manner, so that no deserving student is left behind due to lack of information or procedural difficulties.