Help & Support
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers to the questions people ask us most — about who we support, our 80G donations, how to apply, and how our scholarships work. If yours is not here, it costs nothing to ask.
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Good to know
We support girls and women aged 18 and above — we do not fund minors. Browse a category, or jump straight to your question. If you cannot find it, message us on WhatsApp and a real person will answer.
Trust and verification
Is Vedicology Foundation a registered organisation?
Yes. Vedicology Foundation is a registered Section 8 non-profit. We hold 12A and 80G registration and are listed on the Government of India's NITI Aayog Darpan portal. You can read our full registration details on our Legal and Registration page.
Is my donation eligible for 80G tax benefit?
Yes. We hold 80G registration, so your gift is eligible for a 50% tax deduction under Section 80G. You receive a donation receipt by email to keep for your records. See our Donate page for more.
How can I verify that Vedicology Foundation is a registered non-profit?
You can check our registration details in full on our Legal and Registration page — our Section 8 status, PAN, 12A, 80G, and Darpan ID. Applying is free, at every stage, and we never ask anyone for a fee. If you ever have a doubt, contact us directly at . Read why we never charge a fee.
Is Vedicology Foundation the same as Vedicology Advisors?
No. Vedicology Foundation is a separate, registered Section 8 non-profit. Other businesses share the Vedicology name, but the Foundation is its own legal entity. We work only to support the education and livelihoods of women. You can read our story to learn more.
Who we support
Who does Vedicology Foundation support?
We support girls and women aged 18 and above, across Tamil Nadu and Kerala: girls who have lost a parent's support, girls leaving a Child Care Institution (children's home), and women who are rebuilding their lives on their own — widows, women whose husbands have left, and separated women. They are capable, deserving students held back by the circumstances of their lives — studying for degrees, training for professions, or learning a skill. See who we support.
What age groups do you support?
We support girls and women aged 18 and above. We do not fund minors. Our support begins at 18.
Which states do you work in?
We work across Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and we plan to reach more states soon.
I am not sure which situation fits me. What should I do?
Contact us. Tell us your story. We will listen, and we will tell you honestly whether we can support you. Asking costs nothing. See who we support.
My father is alive but completely dependent on alcohol. Can I apply?
Yes. A father who is alive but cannot support you because of complete dependence on alcohol or drugs is one of the situations we support. De-addiction or hospital records help if you have them, along with your mother's affidavit, and we also understand your situation during the home visit.
I grew up in a children's home and I am turning 18. Can you help me?
Yes. The Care Leaver Scholarship is for you. You need 60% or above in Class 12. We pay 100% of your tuition, hostel and exam fees, for both UG and PG studies. If a degree is not the right path for you, we fully fund a vocational course instead. Please contact us early, ideally before you leave the institution. See the Care Leaver Scholarship.
I am a widow. Can I get support?
Yes. Our Vocational Training is for widows, women whose husbands have left, and separated women. No marks are needed. What matters is your real interest and your promise to finish the course. We pay 50% to 75% of the course fees, along with tools, uniforms or materials, certification exam fees, and travel support where needed. See Vocational Training.
How our support works
Does it cost anything to apply?
No. Applying is free, at every stage. We never charge any application fee, processing fee, registration fee, or documentation fee. If anyone asks you for money in our name, please report it to or on WhatsApp at +91 98400 14586.
How much of the cost do you fund?
For the Merit Scholarship, the Education Continuity Grant, the Coaching Scholarship and Vocational Training, we pay between 50% and 75%. A small contribution from you builds a sense of ownership and keeps you invested in your own journey. Our Scholarship Committee decides the exact percentage for each student, after looking closely at your real family situation. The one exception is the Care Leaver Scholarship, where we pay 100% of tuition, hostel and exam fees. Read how we work.
Can I get more than one kind of support?
In some cases, yes. For example, a student at a government institution can receive Exam Fee Support and Study Material and Device Support together. Our team will look at your situation and tell you which supports fit. See all programmes.
Do you support distance education?
Yes. We support all programmes at UGC-recognised open and distance learning universities across India. Distance education is not a second choice. It is a second chance. The Education Continuity Grant can be especially useful here.
I fell ill and my marks dropped. Will I lose my scholarship?
No, not immediately and not for good. Send us a medical certificate or other proof within 30 days of your results, and you can have a one-semester exemption. This is allowed once during the whole scholarship. Even without it, one semester below the line gives you a recovery semester — we pause, we do not stop. See marks eligibility.
I received the Education Continuity Grant last year and scored 82%. That is below the 85% Merit Scholarship mark. Can I get another year?
The Grant is for one year only and cannot be renewed as a Grant. If you had reached the Merit Scholarship marks for your situation, you would move to the renewable Merit Scholarship. But Emergency Assistance may apply if your earning parent died or was diagnosed with a critical illness in the past 180 days, and you have 70% or above in Class 12 (UG) or 60% or above in graduation (PG). Your 82% shows you used the chance well. Please stay in touch with us. See the Education Continuity Grant.
What happens after I finish my course?
Your scholarship supports you for the length of your programme, as long as you keep up the required marks. When you complete your course, the scholarship ends. We hope you will stay with us as part of our alumni community and support the next generation of students.
What marks do I need to apply?
It depends on the support and your situation. Merit Scholarship: 75% in Class 12 for full orphans, 85% for others (for PG: 75% for full orphans, 80% for others, as an average across your graduation semesters). Care Leaver Scholarship: 60% in Class 12. Education Continuity Grant: 75% in Class 12 (UG) or 70% in graduation (PG). Emergency Assistance: 70% in Class 12 (UG) or 60% in graduation (PG). Coaching: 90% in Class 12, and for UPSC and CAT also 85% in graduation. Study Material and Device Support: from 90% in Class 12. Vocational Training and Exam Fee Support need no marks. A few marks short? Apply anyway and explain. See the full marks table.
What marks do I need to keep my scholarship?
For the Merit and Care Leaver Scholarships, we review your marks every semester: 70% for full orphans and care leavers, 80% for all others. Your first semester is a grace period. If your marks fall below the line, you still get one recovery semester. If they do not recover, support pauses, and it resumes automatically the moment your marks meet the line again. We pause, we do not stop. See marks eligibility.
Do you pay students directly, or the institution?
We pay the institution directly, on the student's behalf. The money never passes through your hands, and we never give cash to students or their families. Tuition, hostel, exam, coaching, and vocational fees go straight to the verified institution, and you receive written confirmation. Read how direct payment works.
Applying and referring
How do I apply?
It is simpler than you might expect. You can fill in the short online form on our How to Apply page — it takes about 4 to 5 minutes, asks only for your details, and needs no document upload. We then guide you on documents. Or talk to a person: your Programme Officer, by phone, WhatsApp or email. In Chennai, Bina Aditya — +91 98840 47460, bina@vedicologyfoundation.com. In Kerala, Anoop P V — +91 97470 10144, anoop@vedicologyfoundation.com. Not sure, or in another state? or message us on WhatsApp at +91 98400 14586.
How long does it take to hear back?
Usually 4 to 6 weeks from a complete application; Exam Fee Support and Study Material and Device Support usually take 7 to 10 working days. We confirm your application within 10 to 15 working days. We then check your documents, a Programme Officer visits your home, we check your institution, and our Scholarship Committee reviews your case. We tell you the decision in writing — if you are not selected, we explain why.
I scored 88% in PCB and want NEET coaching. Can I apply?
Yes — apply anyway and explain. The NEET coaching bar is 90% in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, but our Scholarship Committee reviews each case with understanding, not just numbers. See competitive exam coaching.
Can someone refer a student on her behalf?
Yes. A college, a children's home, an NGO, or a social worker can refer a student to us. If you know a deserving student who needs support, you can start that conversation for her. See how to refer a student.
What documents do I need?
Please do not worry about paperwork at this stage. The online form asks only for your details, with no document upload. After that, we will tell you which papers your situation needs — proof of identity, proof of your situation, mark sheets, your institution's fee papers, an income certificate, and references — and we will walk you through each one. Tell us your situation honestly, and we will guide you through the rest. See how to apply.
I am missing some documents. Can I still apply?
Yes, please apply. Missing documents are not a reason to wait. Income certificates can take a few weeks, and if a paper is hard to get, tell us. We will walk you through each document.
Donating and getting involved
Can a Non-Resident Indian (NRI) donate to Vedicology Foundation?
In many cases, yes. An NRI who still holds Indian citizenship can give from their own funds through normal banking channels, such as an NRO account. Under the law this is not foreign contribution, and we welcome it. Gifts from foreign nationals or OCI/PIO card holders need FCRA registration, which we can apply for after three full years of work. Unsure which applies to you? Write to us and we will guide you. Donate here.
Where does my donation actually go?
Straight to a student's education. We pay tuition, hostel, exam, coaching, and vocational fees directly to verified institutions on a student's behalf — never as cash to students or families. You can see our reach and how we account for every rupee on our Impact page.
Can I get a refund?
A donation is a voluntary gift and is final once it is complete, because your 80G receipt is issued the moment it is processed. We do refund a small set of clear cases — a duplicate charge, a wrong amount entered by mistake, an unauthorised transaction, or a technical error at the payment stage — if you notify us within 7 days. See our Refund & Cancellation Policy.
How can I help if I don't want to donate money?
You can give your time or skills as a volunteer — for example, by mentoring a student or teaching a skill. See how to volunteer.
Our programmes
What kinds of support does Vedicology Foundation offer?
We offer eight kinds of support across Tamil Nadu and Kerala:
- Care Leaver Scholarship — 100% of tuition, hostel and exam fees for UG and PG, for a girl leaving a registered children's home with no family to return to. 60% in Class 12.
- Merit Scholarship — 50% to 75% of tuition, hostel and exam fees for girls who earned excellent marks. 75% in Class 12 for full orphans, 85% for others.
- Education Continuity Grant — one year of support, 50% to 75% of tuition paid to her college, for a student who may have to leave because of fees. 75% in Class 12 (UG) or 70% in graduation (PG).
- Competitive Exam Coaching Scholarship — 50% to 75% of the coaching fee for NEET, JEE, CA, CMA, UPSC and CAT, plus study materials and books. 90% in Class 12 (UPSC and CAT also need 85% in graduation).
- Vocational Training — 50% to 75% of course fees, plus tools, uniforms or materials, certification exam fees and travel support where needed. No marks needed.
- Emergency Assistance — one-time help, paid to her college, for a student whose earning parent has died or been diagnosed with a critical illness in the last 180 days. 70% in Class 12 (UG) or 60% in graduation (PG).
- Exam Fee Support — exam registration fees for students of government institutions (not government-aided). No marks needed; based on need.
- Study Material and Device Support — textbooks, reference books and stationery, a tablet or smartphone for courses that need digital access, and internet data, for students of government institutions (not government-aided). From 90% in Class 12.
See all programmes to find the one that fits.
Important
Vedicology Foundation never charges any application fee, processing fee, registration fee, or documentation fee. Applying is free, at every stage. If anyone asks you for money in our name, please report it to us.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Still have a question?
Message us on WhatsApp or email us. It costs nothing to ask, and a real person will answer.