Breaking the Cycle in Tamil Nadu with Rise Scholarships Grants
Education Is a Right, Not a Luxury
In the rural villages surrounding Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, access to education beyond the primary level is a distant dream for many. For first-generation learners the sons and daughters of farmers, brick workers, and laborers going to college isn’t just about grades. It’s about whether their family can survive without their income.
Santhosh, 17, had just completed his 12th Standard exams with top regional marks in science. He was accepted to a government polytechnic institute in Chennai the first in his family’s history to reach this milestone. But the celebrations were short-lived. The tuition fees, exam costs, and transportation added up to more than three months of his father’s earnings as a cane cutter.
“I had the letter. I had the grades. But I also had to choose between college and working in the sugar fields,” Santhosh recounts.
Rise Fund Global Steps In Investing in Future Scientists
Through our Academic Scholarship & Research Grant, Rise Fund Global partners with local NGOs and educational institutions to identify promising students like Santhosh. Our scholarship provides:
- Full or partial tuition support for tertiary-level studies
- Stipends for learning materials and internet access
- Travel and accommodation allowances where needed
- Mentorship matching with professionals in similar fields
With our grant, Santhosh was able to enroll without delay and is now in his second year, studying mechanical engineering with a specialization in renewable energy systems.
But he’s not alone.
Widening the Reach: Over 500 Students in 2024
In just the first half of 2024, Rise Fund Global supported over 100 first-generation students across India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. This includes:
- 35 women in STEM programs, many from conservative regions with limited access to higher education
- 20 students from tribal or displaced communities, where educational opportunity is near zero
- 12 postgraduates pursuing local-impact research in agriculture, water access, and public health
Each recipient also receives quarterly wellness check-ins and access to a growing alumni network designed to encourage peer-to-peer support and knowledge sharing.
“I Want to Design Machines That Save Water in My Village” — Santhosh
Beyond grades and degrees, our scholarship recipients dream of giving back. Santhosh’s final-year project? A solar-powered irrigation system for small-scale farmers like his father.
“When I graduate, I’m not going abroad. I’m going home to solve our problems with what I’ve learned.”
Why It Matters
Supporting education in regions like Tamil Nadu doesn’t just transform individual lives it lifts entire communities. One educated youth can educate siblings, influence parents, and change mindsets for a generation.
Help Us Fund the Next Santhosh
We Need Your Help
Top 3 Donations
Pranav Krishna
Arif Hossain
Jamal Ahmed
Recent Donations
Shahed Khan
Pines Ajeti
Pranav Krishna
Nissim Watts