Bhubaneswar, Sept. 4 (UDN): Students living with HIV and those from HIV-affected families in Odisha will receive greater support in accessing financial assistance for higher education, following a joint initiative by the Odisha State AIDS Control Society (OSACS) and the Higher Education Department.
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The two departments have agreed to strengthen coordination to identify eligible beneficiaries and ensure they can avail themselves of the Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana (GSSY) without missing out due to a lack of awareness or procedural hurdles.
The decision was taken during a meeting between OSACS Project Director Dr. Akshay Kumar Satpathy and Higher Education Director Kaliprasanna Mahapatra.
Speaking after the meeting, Dr. Satpathy said the focus would be on improving outreach to students from HIV/AIDS-affected families and facilitating their access to the state’s higher education assistance scheme.
Under the GSSY, students whose father, mother, or both parents are affected by HIV/AIDS are eligible for financial assistance, subject to the scheme’s prescribed criteria. Students living with HIV are also covered under the programme.
Eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students can receive Rs 20,000 annually, with the scheme extending benefits to learners enrolled in non-technical, technical, and professional courses in accordance with government guidelines.
The financial support is intended to help students meet education-related expenses, including study materials, transportation, and other academic needs.
Officials also discussed measures to identify students who remain outside the scheme’s coverage because of limited awareness about eligibility or the application process. District-level OSACS service centres and partner organisations will intensify outreach efforts to guide eligible students through the enrolment process.
In addition, Red Ribbon Clubs operating in colleges will be encouraged to expand awareness campaigns on HIV/AIDS while promoting an inclusive, discrimination-free campus environment for students living with HIV.