Frequently asked questions

Any Indian (citizen) student with financial hardship, who has been offered a seat in a professional graduate training program in India (that leads to a degree), is eligible. Courses with higher probability of gainful employment may get preference (i.e. Engineering, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Computer Science, Paramedical courses etc).

EAK program is run by a Chairperson and a team selected by the Organization of Hindu Malayalees (OHM) Board. EAK raises its funds through various fundraising activities. The scholarship candidates are selected by Advisors through a rigorous screening process following the directions from EAK. However, final selection of eligible candidates will be determined by EAK Committee and the OHM Board.

Please go to the ‘Application’ page, download the application and read the instructions.You should have valid email addresses and telephone numbers and we will verify them for authenticity. Otherwise the applications will be rejected. Incomplete applications and application submitted without a recommendation from the advisor will be rejected.

Yes, but on a case to case basis, depending on the candidate’s chances of employment, and the training facility. Select applicants have been offered scholarships for classical dance training in reputable institutions.

• Yes. Applicant must believe in the mission and core values of EducateAKID’s parent Organization, OHM. Please visit OHM website https://www.ohmcalifornia.org for more information. • Applicant must be an Indian citizen, residing in India. Applicant from any part of India can apply if they can identify an Advisor in his/her hometown or nearby District.

You are welcome to contact us directly, but almost all our communications and decisions are made through local advisors in India (see list of advisors in application page in the website). They are your first point of contact for your needs.

• Any Indian (citizen) student with financial hardship, who has been offered a seat in a professional graduate training program in India that leads to a professional degree with higher probability of gainful employment is eligible to apply for scholarship. (e.g. Engineering, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Civil Services, Computer Science, Pharmaceutical Science, Veterinary Science, Agricultural Science). EAK also gives preference to students with physical disability based on the need and circumstances.

No. Students (male or female) who meet our educational & financial need criteria from any religious, ethnic, or social class can apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of community, religion, class, or caste. Students from any part of India can apply if they can identify an advisor in his/her geographic area.

The application must be postmarked by scholarship deadline, which is usally November 30th.

Please go to the ‘Application’ page, download the application and read the instructions. All applicants must have a have a valid email address and telephone number(s). EAK Committee and Advisors will verify them for authenticity. Incomplete applications will be rejected. All applicants (new and renewal) must submit a new form each year.

Yes, of course. EAK may even give some preferences to a few such applicants each year, based on individual need and circumstances. The applicant will have to provide proof of disability from a qualified medical professional.

No, a scholar must meet the eligibility criteria as listed. EAK has a selection committee that will take into consideration the financial and family circumstances, and educational merits of the candidate. However, you can explain to your advisor your special concerns, and we may review the eligibility issues.

The number varies each year depending on a set of criteria agreed upon by our selection committee, and the availability of funds. Number of scholarships awarded has been in steadily increasing; in 2016-2017, EAK awarded 94 scholarships

• Yes, they are the basis of the scholarship determinations. • Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit and financial need of the Applicants. Any application that does not fully answer the questions will be disregarded. Please get your advisor’s, teacher’s or parent’s help if needed

No, the application must be postmarked by the deadline date (which can be confirmed by advisors) to be considered. Please work with your local advisor regarding this.

No. We can only supplement some of their requirements. They may have to find alternate resources to bridge the gap.

• No. The application must be received by the posted deadline or else will be rejected. • All applications must be submitted online, and the completed application and the relevant documents must be scanned electronically.

Note this on the application and have a school / local official confirm that by a signature or letter.

Yes, they are the basis of the scholarship determinations. Remember this is both a merit and need-based scholarship and we need to confirm the both merit and need. Any application that does not fully answer the questions will be disregarded. Please get your advisor’s, teacher’s or parent’s help if needed. If you are not able to access this information, send us an explanation.

You must choose an Advisor close to your area. List of Advisors from various districts are listed in EAK Website. Each applicant must meet their Advisor for verification of required documents and their signature certifying the document’s authenticity. Applications without the signature of the Advisor will be rejected. This requirement is applicable for both new and renewal applicants.

This is very rare. Support to post graduates are provided only if we have excess fund to distribute (which is not very common)

No. All our communications and decisions are made through local Advisors. They are your point of contact.

Unfortunately, we will not be able to process the Application.

No. The applicant has to re-apply and qualify every year. Decision is mainly based on the continued academic performance of the student, but other factors may apply. EAK will try its best to continue supporting the successful candidate through the entire program

Yes. The student must have an account in a bank through which we can do the remittances if needed.

Yes. The student must have an account in an authorized bank. It is necessary for EAK to process the scholarship remittances for the selected candidates.

a) To successfully complete the course, and obtain employment, so that you can support your dependents, and alleviate financial hardship in your familyb) To put something back into EAK and help other needy students in the coming yearsc) Maintain contact with EAK and your advisors and help us build this program

We transfer money to students bank account, this usualy happens in the month of February and March

The number varies depending on a set of criteria agreed upon by our selection committee and the availability of funds each year

No. The scholarship amount is not a loan, but we encourage the students to donate back to EAK when they are financially better off to help other needy students.

No. This is not a loan, but we encourage the students to do their best to donate back to EAK when they are financially better off, and help other needy students. It’s voluntary, but we hope all the students will honor the commitment.

Yes. But preference will be given to Undergraduate students.

EAK program is run by a co-ordinator (chairperson) and a team (committee) selected by the OHM Board, a non-profit organization in the USA that promotes the culture of the southern Indian state of Kerala. The team comprised of OHM members takes care of operations, event management, fundraising, advisor relations, candidates selection and other tasks delegated to the team by the OHM Board. Our scholars are selected and scholarships administered through an advisor network in India (appointed by the EAK committee).

Complete education successfully and obtain employment so that you can support your family and dependents financially. Follow a lifestyle that OHM, the parent organization of EAK, stands for and get involved with EAK, in the future, as a donor/advisor.

Through generous donations from individuals, families, corporations, and businesses in the USA, mostly from the Southern California community. Every year we also conduct a banquet and variety fund-raising program. Since 2016, we have also added an annual Cricket Tournament for fundraising. Please visit our sponsors page (home page) and support our business sponsors

EAK is a fully volunteer-driven program. It has no administrative expenses. The only expense for EAK are that of the fundraising events. All net proceeds from the fundraising events and individual/corporate donations go towards the scholarships

Please review the page Advisors, to get answers to this question. You may also email contact@educateakid.org to find out more information.

a) You can click the Donate Now button on the top of this page to make an online donations. b) You can also mail a check to EducateAKid, P.O. BOX 310, Artesia, CA 90701

Enter your answer here

Yes. EAK is registered as a non-profit charity in California, and your donations are eligible for tax exemption. We will send you a formal receipt well in advance to enable you to get a tax refund.

Donors contributing US$ 500/- and above in a calendar year are eligible to name a scholarship on behalf of loved one.

EAK has only minimal overheads. Currently 80%-90% of your donation will be utilized for providing financial assistance to the applicant in a calendar year, and remaining will be put aside in an endowment fund. The endowment is capped at $100,000 and will be used only as a rainy-day fund to support students when there is a drop in EAK fundraising.

Please review the page Advisors, to get answers to this question. You may also email contact@educateakid.org to find out more information