GPS

Green Passage Scheme

The "Green Passage Scheme" Scheme provides free higher education to children without biological or adoptive parents. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme was revised to as well cover children who lost their both parents or single parent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

State Cash

States / UT: Odisha

Nodal department: Higher Education Department

Scheme for: Family

Scheme profile

Categories: Education & Learning

Sub-categories: Scholarships and student finance

Target beneficiaries: Individual

Tags: Scholarship, Financial Assistance, Orphan, Higher Education

Details

Launched in 2016-17, the "Green Passage Scheme" Scheme by the Higher Education Dept., Govt. of Odisha provides free higher education to children without biological or adoptive parents. After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme was revised to as well cover children who lost their both parents or single parent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this scheme, the fees like application fees, admission/readmission fees, tuition fees, examination fees, hostel admission fees, laboratory fees, library fees, college development fees, etc. will be exempted for eligible students. The institutions will also provide free accommodation and food to such students.

Benefits

  • Exemption of Fees: 1. The fees like application fees admission/readmission fees tuition fees examination fees hostel admission fees laboratory fees library fees college development fees etc. will be exempted. 1. The institutions will also provide free accommodation and food to such students. 1. In the case of Government Institutions fees will be exempted at the time of admission on submission of required documents by the student. 1. In the case of Non-Government Aided Colleges fees will be exempted at the time of admission and would be reimbursed by Government on submission of required documents/vouchers by the institution to Government in Higher Education Department. 1. In the case of Non-Government Un-aided Institutions the student will take admission by arranging funds on his/her own and then seek reimbursement from the Government on submission of required documents/vouchers to the Government in the Higher Education Department. Such reimbursement will be limited to ₹5 00

Exemption of Fees:

  1. The fees like application fees, admission/readmission fees, tuition fees, examination fees, hostel admission fees, laboratory fees, library fees, college development fees, etc. will be exempted.
  2. The institutions will also provide free accommodation and food to such students.
  3. In the case of Government Institutions, fees will be exempted at the time of admission on submission of required documents by the student.
  4. In the case of Non-Government Aided Colleges, fees will be exempted at the time of admission and would be reimbursed by Government on submission of required documents/vouchers by the institution to Government in Higher Education Department.
  5. In the case of Non-Government Un-aided Institutions, the student will take admission by arranging funds on his/her own and then seek reimbursement from the Government on submission of required documents/vouchers to the Government in the Higher Education Department. Such reimbursement will be limited to ₹ 5,00,000 maximum for the entire duration of the course.

Eligibility

  1. The child must qualify as any one of the following:
    a) The child should be without biological/adoptive parents OR
    b) The child should have lost both parents OR
    c) The child should have lost a single bread-earning parent OR
    d) The child should be residing in a Child Care Institution, OR under foster care OR the care of a guardian OR any fit person/ surviving parent.
  2. The annual income of the guardian/ fit person/ surviving parent (from all sources) does not exceed ₹ 8,00,000/-.
  3. The student should be pursuing higher education in any Government or Non-Government Higher Education Institution (i.e., College & University). Here, "higher education" would mean general/professional/ technical education of at least 1 year's duration after Class-12.

Exclusions


Application Process

Offline

Case 1: If the child is or was an inmate of a Child Care Institution, the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) will issue the certificate to avail of the benefits of the Green Passage Scheme.

Case 2: If the child is under foster care/ care of a guardian, the DCPO will issue the said certificate based on the recommendation of the Child Welfare Committee and the income certificate from Tahasildar.

Case 3: In the case of children of COVID-19 victims, they have to submit the Specially Cared Child Certificate/ I-Card for identification and income certificate from the concerned Tahasildar for consideration.

Following annexures to be used for this purpose,
Annexure-I: Application for availing benefits under Green Passage Scheme to be submitted to the DCPO with acknowledgment.
Annexure-II: Recommendation by Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for availing benefits under Green Passage Scheme.
Annexure-III: Certificate to avail benefits under Green Passage Scheme to be issued by the DCPO.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

When Was The "Green Passage Scheme" Launched?
The "Green Passage Scheme" was launched in the year 2016-17.
Which Department Manages This Scheme?
The "Green Passage Scheme" is managed by the Higher Education Dept., Govt. of Odisha.
What Amendments Were Made To The Scheme During The COVID-19 Pandemic?
After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the scheme was revised to as well cover children who lost their both parents or single parent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What All Type Of Fees Gets Exempted Through This Scheme?
The fees like application fees, admission/readmission fees, tuition fees, examination fees, hostel admission fees, laboratory fees, library fees, college development fees, etc. will be exempted.
Are There Any Benefits Other Than Fee Exemption?
Yes, the institutions will also provide free accommodation and food to such students.
How Will The Fees Be Reimbursed In Case Of Non-Government Aided Colleges?
In the case of Non-Government Aided Colleges, fees will be exempted at the time of admission and would be reimbursed by Government on submission of required documents/vouchers by the institution to Government in Higher Education Department.
Where Can I Find The Link To The Application Form For The "Green Passage Scheme"?
The Application Form for the "Green Passage Scheme" can be found at - https://dhe.odisha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2021-06/GREEN%20PASSAGE-4-10.pdf
Is There Any Income-Related Eligibility Criteria For This Scheme?
Yes, the annual income of the guardian/ fit person/ surviving parent (from all sources) does not exceed ₹ 8,00,000.
Is There Any Criteria With Respect To The Type Of Course That The Student Should Be Pursuing In Order To Be Eligible For This Scheme?
Yes, the student should be pursuing higher education in any Government or Non-Government Higher Education Institution (i.e., College & University). Here "higher education" would mean general/professional/ technical education of at least 1-year duration after Class-12.
What Shall Be The Process Of Application If The Child Is Or Was An Inmate Of A Child Care Institution?
If the child is or was an inmate of a Child Care Institution, the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) will issue the certificate to avail of the benefits of the Green Passage Scheme.
Where Can I Find The Format For The Recommendation By Child Welfare Committee?
The recommendation by Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for availing benefits under Green Passage Scheme can be found in Annexure-II of the scheme guidelines.
What Shall Be The Process Of Application For The Children Of COVID-19 Victims?
In the case of children of COVID-19 victims, they have to submit the Specially Cared Child Certificate/ I-Card for identification and income certificate from the concerned Tahasildar for consideration.
What Shall Be The Process Of Application Child Is Or Was An Inmate Of A Child Care Institution?
Case 1: If the child is or was an inmate of a Child Care Institution, the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) will issue the certificate to avail of the benefits of the Green Passage Scheme.
Is The Death Certificate Of Parent/Parents A Mandatory Document?
Yes, the Death Certificate of the Parent/Parents should be submitted mandatorily along with the application.

References

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Documents Required for Government Schemes

Most government schemes require basic documents for verification. While the exact requirements vary, common documents include:

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Income Certificate
  • Caste Certificate (if applicable)
  • Residence Proof
  • Bank Account Details
  • Educational Certificates (for student schemes)

How to Apply for Government Schemes?

The application process for government schemes may be online or offline depending on the scheme. In most cases, you can follow these steps:

  1. Check eligibility criteria
  2. Collect required documents
  3. Fill the application form
  4. Submit the application online or at the relevant office
  5. Track application status