It’s 2 AM. Your phone screen glows in the darkness of your hostel room. You’re staring at your bank account balance  ₹284.7—and doing mental math on whether you can survive until the next MONTHS pocket money arrives.

Sound familiar?

Being a student in India isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a juggling act. You’re chasing dreams about that startup you want to build or the career that’ll finally make your parents proud. You’re burning the midnight oil with assignments due at 11:59 PM. You’re making promises to yourself about “eating better” while surviving on Maggi and mess food that tastes like it was cooked last semester. Your professor looks through you like you’re invisible, your wallet stays perpetually light, and you keep hoping secretly that someone will hand you financial freedom on a silver platter.

But here’s what nobody tells you when you’re drowning in deadlines and doubt: Your financial freedom isn’t coming from luck. It’s coming from schemes the Government of India created specifically for students like you.

Most students don’t even know these schemes exist. They’re hidden in government websites, buried under dense bureaucratic language, unknown and untapped.

And that changes today.

If you’re young, ambitious, and tired of just surviving through college, this guide isn’t about fluff. It’s about real, actionable government schemes that help you earn smarter, build financial literacy, and stand on your own feet while you’re still studying. Because your wallet doesn’t have to stay empty. And your future doesn’t have to start after graduation Remember these schemes are not available for everyone and even if you apply theres no sure shot way to ensure you earn from these. So without much delay lets get started:

Seekho Aur Kamao Yojana  Learn a Skill, Earn with Confidence

Imagine a scheme that literally says: “Come learn something useful… and also start earning from it.” That’s exactly what Seekho Aur Kamao is about  a skill development program by the Madhya Pradesh government for youth aged 18–29. If you’ve finished 12th, ITI, a diploma, or polytechnic, and you’re from MP, the government helps you get trained in real-world skills  the kind people actually pay for. Students who complete the training often start earning ₹8,000–10,000 a month, sometimes more, depending on the field. It’s not just free training. It’s a gentle push toward becoming employable, independent, and capable of earning your own money.

Berozgari Bhatta Yojana  When You’re Qualified but Still Waiting for a Job

Getting a degree doesn’t always mean getting a job immediately. And the government knows that struggle. Under the Pradhan Mantri Berozgari Bhatta Yojana, educated but unemployed youth receive a small monthly allowance  usually between ₹1,000–₹2,500. It’s the government’s way of saying, “We know you’re trying. Here’s support until you find your path.” Students between 21–35 years old, with a family income under ₹3 lakh, and a minimum qualification of 12th and above, can apply. It doesn’t replace a salary, but it does soften the pressure of being jobless, helping you focus on upskilling instead of panicking.

PM Scholarship Scheme  Monthly Support While You Study Hard

This one’s special. Every year, the government selects around 5,500 students for this scholarship that supports their education financially. Boys receive ₹2,500/month and girls get ₹3,000/month helping cover academic and personal expenses. For students from Jammu & Kashmir or Ladakh who complete their schooling under J&K Board or CBSE, this scholarship can be a game-changer. Medical students receive much higher support  up to ₹3 lakh per year toward their academic fees.

Bihar Free Laptop Scheme  A Digital Lifeline for Students

In a world where education is incomplete without technology, Bihar’s Free Laptop Yojana is a blessing. Students who clear their 10th or 12th exams  especially SC/ST students scoring 75% and general students scoring 85%  can receive a free laptop worth ₹25,000. Over 30 lakh laptops will be distributed. Just imagine how many dreams that single laptop can fuel  coding, designing, studying, creating, exploring. Sometimes, access is the only thing holding a student back. This scheme fixes that.

Stand-Up India  For the Students Who Want to Start Something Big

Ever dreamt of starting a business instead of working for someone else, this scheme was made for you. Stand-Up India gives loans from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to women entrepreneurs, and SC/ST entrepreneurs who want to launch greenfield enterprises. The best part? Loans come with reasonable interest rates, guidance, and real support. It’s not just money  it’s faith in your ideas. If you’re from an underrepresented group and have a business plan ready in your notes app, this is your chance to bring it to life.

Saksham Scholarship  A Strong Hand for Specially-Abled Students

The AICTE Saksham Scheme offers ₹50,000 per year to specially-abled students pursuing higher education. This money covers books, equipment, software, fees  everything you need to study well and live better. It doesn’t cover hostel charges or medical fees, but it does remove the biggest barrier  affordability.

Samriddhi Scheme  Helping SC/ST Students Become Entrepreneurs

If you’re an SC/ST student with a fire inside you to build something of your own, the Samriddhi Scheme backs you with up to ₹20 lakh. Yes twenty lakhs!! To start your business. To bring your idea into the world. To create jobs, income, and change. Students need to be in their final year and have a registered startup to apply. It’s not just financial help  the scheme also provides mentorship, guidance, and support so you don’t feel lost while taking your first entrepreneurial step.

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)  Get Paid to Learn

NAPS encourages companies to hire apprentices  students who want hands-on experience. The government pays 25% of your stipend (up to ₹1,500/month) and supports basic training costs (up to ₹7,500). If you’re from ITI, PMKVY, MES, or doing dual-learning training, this is your chance to learn a real skill and earn at the same time. Apprenticeships make your resume stronger, your confidence higher, and your career more secure.

So… Which Scheme Should You Choose?

The truth is that there’s no “best” scheme. There’s only what fits your journey.

Want to skill up? → Seekho Aur Kamao, NAPS

Need support while job-searching? → Berozgari Bhatta

Planning to study further → PM Scholarship, Saksham

Dreaming of starting a business → Stand-Up India, Samriddhi

Need technology for studying → Bihar Laptop Scheme

The government isn’t handing out shortcuts  it’s offering stepping stones. You still walk the path. But now… you don’t walk it alone. But what you can do alone is pump Up Your Government Scheme Savings with Dive Money you might get a laptop, you might get a stipend, you might get a scholarship, you might get a loan to start a business! But what you do with that money? That’s where your future is built.

Dive helps you save smarter, grow your money, and stay financially confident  even as a student. Because earning is good. Saving is smart. Growing is freedom. Download Dive Money  iOS & Android and start your first savings goal today. Let your money begin its journey, just like you.

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