Regular Scholarship Programme

Empowering students through better opportunities

for quality education

Impact Report

Dated: 8th April 2021

Study done by:

Gryffon Advisors
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Table of Contents
Background ................................................................................................................................................... 3
STFC Scholarship ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Target group ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Reach of the Programme ............................................................................................................................. 4
Objective of the Study.................................................................................................................................. 6
Framework of the study ............................................................................................................................... 6
Methodology and Tool ................................................................................................................................. 7
Study Tool ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Detailed Findings .......................................................................................................................................... 8
Key Findings ................................................................................................................................................ 20
Quotes ........................................................................................................................................................ 24
Limitations to the Study ............................................................................................................................. 25
Conclusion and Recommendation ............................................................................................................ 25
Annexure-1: Questions for the SPOC of STFC ................................................................................... 27
Annexure-2: Regular Scholarship Programme Survey Questions for Parents ............................... 29
Annexure-3: Regular Scholarship Programme Survey Questions for Student............................... 32
About Gryffon Advisors ........................................................................................................................... 34
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Background

With over 15 lakh schools, 92 lakh teachers, and 25 crore student enrolments, India is home to
the largest and most complex education system globally

According to a Rapid Survey of Children 2013-2014 MWCD – Around 50 percent of adolescents

do not complete secondary education.

The SRI-IMRB Surveys, 2009 and 2014 shows that out of 100 students, 29 percent of girls and
boys drop out of school before completing the full cycle of elementary education, and often they
are the most marginalized children.

While near-universal enrolment has been achieved at the elementary level (grade 1-8), the
enrolment consistently falls with successive levels of education.

STFC Scholarship

The Shriram Transport

Finance Company (STFC)
scholarship programme is
designed with the objective
that financial need should not
prevent a child from
completing his education.

The programme also focuses

on children who are part of
the Transportation
Association's network,
reinforcing the goal of
providing them with opportunities for healthy learning and development.

The support is towards the expenses of the child for pursuing school education without any
disruption from the eighth standard to the twelfth standard.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

This support is available to students enrolled in any school (Government or private) that does not
charge exorbitant fees.

The scholarship amount per child ranges from ₹3000 to ₹3500. It is around ₹3000 per year till
class ten and increases to ₹3500 thereon till class twelve.

The scholarship amount is paid in the form of a crossed account payee cheque/NEFT in favour
of the child.

The monthly income of the parent should not be exceeding ₹.25000/- per month.

STFC scholarship program paves the path for a child to achieve his academic goal, bring a sense
of accountability and make a real difference in the life of the child and the family.

Target group

The scholarship is linked to the recommendation received from the Transport association
members at around 1817 branches of the STFC.

The parent of the child should be either a driver of a commercial vehicle or a small transporter,
owning a commercial vehicle for at
least 1 year.

The scholarship is linked to family

income and further children who have
been academically performing well and
have demonstrated the enthusiasm
and desire to continue with their
education.

Reach of the Programme

 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

The first cohort of the scholarship programme in 2017-2018 was 22,700 approximately. Over the
years the scholarship programme has grown and has reached out to over 45,000 children in 2019-
2020.

The year 2020-2021 has been challenging for education overall with online classes and
deferment. The scholarship program also faced similar challenges with many students not being
able to enrol in the required academic institution or taking a break.

The scholarship is disbursed across all regions of the country.

Scholarship Disbursed over the years:

Financial year No. of scholars

2017-2018 22706

2018-2019 39516

2019-2020 44623

2020-2021 28191

Reach of the Regular Scholarship in 2018-19 & 2019-20

Year 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th Total

2018-19 16,384 9,361 6,458 6,303 1,010 39,516

2019-20 11,850 14,001 8,861 7,583 2,378 44,673
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Objective of the Study

The study was conducted with the following objective in mind:

Framework of the study

The framework of the study was designed to evaluate the impact of scholarship directly to the
beneficiary on their academic and career choices.

It further studied the economic impact and perceptions of the scholarship programme. The study
also evaluated the impact on the family and a comparison of the achievements of the respondents
compared to other family members.

Impact on Student Impact on Family Social Impact

Academic Comparison with

Beneficiary Satisfaction family members

STFC Scholarship
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

The study was designed through interviews on a one-on-one basis to collect data, evaluate
opinions and understand perceptions regarding the above areas of impact.

Study Data Process Output

•Student •Identify •Understand

receiving the perceptions the impact,
scholarship develop and
•Collect data grow the
scholarship
programme
•Understand
family
background
and academic
achievements

Methodology and Tool

The evaluation was done with a randomized sample method selected from the data provided by
STFC.

The project used interviews to collect relevant data, analyse it, and come up with adequate
conclusions in regards to the relationship of the
scholarship with the student's academic
performance, career choices and social standing.

The study, however, did look at the education

index of the various states and the selection was
done to ensure that states of high education index
and low education index (Reference: Niti Aayog)
were selected as the master data. This was to get
a fair analysis of the impact of scholarship
irrespective of the state indicators on the access
and quality of education for the students. The states that were selected for our analysis were
Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Further, the interview respondents were selected from the first cohort of the scholarship. The first
cohort was chosen keeping the assumption that the impact of the scholarship would be significant
and better understood by the cohort.

There was no gender bias in the selection of the sample.

Study Tool

The tool used for the study was detailed interviews guided by the interview design that included:

Discussions with the direct beneficiary

Discussions to understand the parents' involvement, academic

background and professional background

Discussions to understand the academic context of the siblings of the

beneficiaries

The social background of the beneficiary

The social context of receiving the scholarship

The interviews were held with parents and students linked to availability and comfort in handling
the interview.

Detailed Findings

Class in which the beneficiary is enrolled

 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Most of the respondents to the study are in grade 12, which is the important year of planning for
higher education and develop career aspirations into reality.

Also, the respondent’s and their family had experienced the benefits of scholarship over the past
two years at least.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Grades obtained in class X

The respondents have demonstrated their academic excellence in the examination system. 60%
of our respondents have secured more than 70% percent marks in their grade 10 examination.
There have been very few respondents who have secured less than 50%.

Parents and students expressed joy and pride while sharing their marks. It is a significant
achievement goal that paves the path for further academic achievements. Grade X examination
is the first external examination and the beneficiaries have demonstrated more than reasonable
achievement in the examination.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Profession of Father of the Beneficiary

Keeping in mind the reach of the scholarship the profession of the father of the beneficiary is a
driver, either in the private sector or a roadways infrastructure. In our findings, families were also
employed as farmers and small business owners, whereby driving or transportation related
services is a secondary occupation.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Profession of the Mother of the Beneficiary

Except for a few, almost all mothers in our group are primarily housewives.

Education Qualifications of the Father of the Beneficiary

 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

The father of the family of our beneficiaries have primarily completed their education up to grade
ten. They however have reflected a desire and ambition for their children and a resolve to provide
support to their child’s education goals. The resolve is further strengthened by the scholarship
program.

Education Qualification of the Mother of the Beneficiary

The mother of the family has mostly studied formally up to grade eight. In our conversations with
some of the mothers, it was evident that they were aware of their children's academic progress
and wanted them to excel professionally and are very grateful for the scholarship received by their
children.

Income of the Family of the Beneficiary

 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

The scholarship is extended to families where the income is less than four lakhs per annum. In
our findings, almost 35% of the families claimed that their income was less than ₹75000 per
annum. The families have one earning member and mostly one earning source.

Number of Siblings of the Beneficiary

Most families have 2 children and more. However, 38% of our beneficiaries came from families
with three children.

The conversations with families with a child was very focused on the achievements of their child
and the pride and support they lent towards their child’s education.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Are the Siblings of the beneficiary receiving Scholarship?

Many families who have received a scholarship have also applied for the same for their other
children. In our conversations, however, we discovered that in some cases the scholarship was
not given because of the academic performance of the other child or some roadblock in submitting
the form.

The impact of the STFC scholarship is definitely strong on the academic aspiration of the rest of
the children of the family.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Awareness About the Scholarship Programme

The scholarship programme awareness is primarily from the STFC local centres. There have
been awareness programmes in school that has also attracted candidates.

However, the linkages with the STFC local office are strong and evident in our conversations with
the respondents.

The STFC regional offices are closely linked with the beneficiary’s family and provide support in
the whole process.

Impact of Scholarship on Career Aspiration

 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

There is a clear influence of scholarship in the career aspiration of the child. The aspirations are
however linked to mostly government jobs, UPSC, doctors, and engineers. Some respondents
mentioned banking as a career choice with little understanding of the nature of the job. The
aspiration is to be in an office-related environment with a secured income and social influence.

The Impact of Scholarship on Academic Ambition (Grades are better)

57% of the respondents believed the scholarship prompted them to do better in academics.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

While there was an understated understanding that the respondents were doing well academically
the scholarship has a positive influence on them to do better. There is a direct accountability
relationship between the scholarship and grades.

The Impact of Scholarship on Exams and Results

Almost all of the respondents said that they did better because of the scholarship. The scholarship
is a status of being a good student and there was a strong desire to maintain and reflect the same
status.

The scholarship amounts have definitely impacted the family economic conditions in a positive
way and to maintain the same by achieving good grades is understood well by the beneficiaries.

Responsibility Towards Completing the Child’s Education

 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

The responsibility towards completing the basic education of the child was perceived by the
parents of our beneficiaries. The scholarship supports other aspirations and academic desires.

The program opens the window to opportunities. The scholarship is very evidently supporting
aspirations for doing better and furthering academic and professional growth. In our respondent
group, the parents expressed without hesitation that they would strive to support the child's basic
education but were not in the economic capacity to further pay for coaching, buy new books or
register for online classes. These expenses are considered necessary for tuitions or preparations
for competitive examinations.

Social Impact of Scholarship

While the social impact of the scholarship was

not an important feature reflected in our
interviews the impact within the family was
more evident.

Also, these being times of the pandemic the

respondents expressed their inability to go to
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

classes, meet their friend, teachers, and mentor. This was also a period of uncertainty for many
and the same was evident in their words to us.

Benefits of Scholarship to the Student and Family

There is clear evidence of the importance of the scholarship for the family and the child. The
family to feel confident that they will provide the best possible option for the child to reach her/his
professional aspirations.

The parents of most respondents have not had a great academic opportunity but there are strong
expressions of a desire that their children do well and progress economically and socially much
beyond the present circumstances.

Key Findings

The study shows clear

evidence that the scholarship
programme has impacted the
students to perform better and
aspire to choices and
possibilities in their higher
education and career choices.

The value of the scholarship is

not only connected to the
immediate economic value but
also to the choices, the child
can make and the aspiration
that education can bring to her/
his life.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

The scholarship programme has further demonstrated that parents understand and support the
child to further her/his studies and provide resources for the same.

There was clear underlying confidence about the need and importance of education for the child.

The scholarship program is not just about the monetary value but the confidence that it brings
enables a family to help achieve the child’s academic potential

Impact on Student

Area of Impact Findings Qualitative Assessment

Grade in class X 60% of the respondents The respondents have done
have more than 70% marks. well in exams. They have
been 3 students who have
scored less than fifty percent.
The excellence in the marks
could be influenced by a
selection’s criterion, however,
the consistency in the
numbers prove that the
students do well in milestone
and external exams.
Career Aspiration In our finding, 98 children The respondents have
(82%) clearly answered ambitions to choose a career
about their aspiration. There that have traditionally give
were 22 students (18%) who better economic choices.
are unsure about what they Many students have said that
want to do in a career they are looking for
choice. government jobs, while most
have been clear about
pursuing UPSC, engineer or
becoming a teacher.
Impact on grades 95% of our respondents feel The respondents have
that their grades in the expressed a sense of
accountability linked to the
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

examination were better scholarship. Focus on faring

because of the scholarship. well in examinations was
clearly evident
Does the scholarship 53% of our respondents felt The students have expressed
help the respondents that the scholarship had that they would have
complete their academic more impact on them doing continued with their
goal or do better in better. academics but the
academics scholarship influences the
barometer of doing well. It
also gives support to their
aspirations to do more.
Social Impact of the Qualitative Most of our respondents while
scholarship expressed great pride in
receiving the scholarship.
Many expressed that the
pandemic situation was a
deterrent to share the joy of
the scholarship with their
mentors, teachers and
classmates. There was an
impact within the family both
economically and valuing the
education of the child.

The scholarship Respondents and their family

Siblings Father Mother

Education 37 percentage of the Most fathers of our The mothers of our
siblings of our respondent have only respondents have
beneficiaries have completed high school. primarily completed
also received the They however have a grade 8. There is a
STFC scholarship, an deep understanding quiet pride and
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

indication that the and the desire that the awareness reflected
impact of scholarship child should do well when we spoke to
is on the family where academically and a lot some of them about
the children of the of the achievements the achievements and
family are striving to have been possible scholarship of their
do better and receive because of the children
the economic benefit scholarship monetary
of the scholarship. support. There is a
They have seen the related sense of
difference the accountability to regard
scholarship can make the scholarship,
in their lives reflected in the attitude
valuing the importance
of education.
Profession The siblings of our The father is mostly The mothers are
respondents are occupied in the taking care of their
primarily in school. In transportation space. families, in many
some families, the cases, the families of
siblings are working or our respondents have
in college 5 or more members
Social Impact The scholarship of our There is pride and an importance given to the
respondents has scholarship as expressed by the parents
influenced other
siblings to strive for
the scholarship
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Quotes

Scholarship mujhe aur mere The scholarship gives us power

bachon ko hosla deta hai…

“ “

Scholarship makes it possible The scholarship helps me provide

for me to reach my dreams all benefits to my child

“ “

I can buy books, register online My child will be an engineer

because of the scholarship because of the scholarship

“ “

The scholarship is motivating my I can provide for my child’s

child to perform better each time education without taking any
loans

“ “
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Limitations to the Study

The study was conducted at a time when the country had started witnessing the second wave of
the COVID pandemic. Schools were still online. Most students have been away from their
mentors, teachers, and classmates for over a
year. There was a feeling of despondency and
wait for things to get normalized soon.

The sample size was restricted to 120 students.

This was limited to the first cohort of the
scholarship grants.

Also, the inability to have conversations with a

group of students and the inaccessibility to
phones by the students influenced the sample size. Many students have moved to the villages.
The interviews were done over phone calls.

The impact of the scholarship has been juxtaposed to the academic achievement of the family
members and other siblings in the family.

Conclusion and Recommendation

It is evident that the scholarship is a tool to motivate better performance and develop aspirations
among the students to do better academically and professionally. Further, it directly supports the
family economically to explore and support learning for the child in her/his higher classes.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

The scholarship further gives credence to the fact that the family perceives that education is
important and will support the child’s
dream if there is a support system that
they can anchor to.

The scholarship is not just the monetary

support but has a connected impact on
the value of education and the
confidence it provides to the child to
achieve his goal.

Considering that the regular scholarship already has in its network students and families that built
aspirations around it will become important that STFC continues to support their education in
higher studies.

A comprehensive plan on the impact in high school years leading to education and professional
choices is recommended.

Further linked to the scholarship programme STFC can also integrate the amounts to awareness
on higher education choice, institutions, and training to excel in competitive exams. There is an
ambition perceived, the ambition needs to be guided with resources and mentorship to achieve
the professional dream.
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Annexure-1: Questions for the SPOC of STFC

Do you have an MoU with the truck driver’s association?

Do you have a format that is followed of the branch recommendation for the
scholarship?

What are the documents attached with the recommendation?

Do you have the region-wise data of the number of students receiving scholarships?

Do you have class-wise data on the number of students receiving scholarships?

How many repeat renewal scholarships region-wise? The percentage

How do you verify the socio-financial background?

 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

How is the scholarship communicated?

What is the format of the report generated for the CSR Committee?

Any success stories that can be shared?

 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Annexure-2: Regular Scholarship Programme Survey Questions for Parents

Personal Background

State name:
Your Name
Name of the child
Age
Name of the school child
studying in when he received
the scholarship
What is your child doing now?
If he has passed Class X/ Class XII

Percentage Marks Obtained

in Class X
Percentage Marks Obtained
in Class XI

Family Background

Profession of Father
Profession of Mother
Education qualification of the Educational qualification of Educational qualification of
Parents the Father the Mother

What is the approximate

annual income of the family
No. of sons and daughters
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

In school/ not in school If in school, grade studying If not in school, employed/

in not employed

Career Aspirations

What is your child’s career

goal?
Who has been paying for your Parent | Government scholarship| Relative | Others
child’s education till date
How did you first hear about
this scholarship programme?
How did it feel when you first
heard of your child receiving a
scholarship?
With the scholarship money Yes | No
has your child’s career goal
changed
If yes, how has his career goal Complete his/her studies | Do better in their studies | study
changed? more | both
What were the challenges
before receiving the
scholarship?
What are the challenges now,
if any?
What is your dream for your
child
Do your other children also Yes | No
receive scholarships?
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

If yes, how many children and

which scholarship
Academic Programme

Since when has your child

been a STFC scholar
What is the scholarship
amount being received
Post receiving the scholarship
has your child done better in Yes | No |Not sure
his exams
The scholarship is linked to  Maintain the good marks
your child’s academics, how  Will score more marks than previous
will that impact their exam  Not sure
results
Would your child be able to Yes | No
complete his study without the
scholarship?
Social Aspects

Do your friends know about Yes | No

your child’s scholarship?
Have you helped your friends
children also to get Yes | No| Applied but did not get
scholarships?
How is the scholarship helping
the family?

How is your scholarship

helping the child?
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

Annexure-3: Regular Scholarship Programme Survey Questions for Student

Name

Name of the school studying in

when received the scholarship
What are you doing now ITI |Diploma | Graduation| Professional Courses
What is the approximate
annual income of the family?
What is your career goal?

Who has been paying for your Parent | Government scholarship| Relative | Others
education till date?
What were your challenges
before you received the
scholarship?
What are the challenges now,
if any?
What is the scholarship
amount being received?
How is the scholarship helping
you?
Have you done well (received Yes | No
better marks) after receiving
the scholarship?
Can you describe your
feelings when you first heard
of receiving your scholarship?
What would happen if the
scholarship is stopped?
Have you helped your friends Yes | No
get scholarships?
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

What is the one difference the

scholarship has made in your
life?
 [Type here]
STFC Regular Scholarship Programme – Impact Report

About Gryffon Advisors

As per folklore, the GRYFFON (half lion, half eagle) is the guardian of the gifts of the divine.

Alpana Tandon:

Alpana Tandon is a post-graduate from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and has
a bachelor’s degree in economics from Isabella Thoburn College, Lucknow. She has worked in
the social development space for over 25 years, fundraising, designing, and developing content
and conducting training for extensive mandates for the Government, Social Sector and
Corporates.

Previously, her experience has been as Director, Strategic Initiatives Samhita and content head
for ILFS Education and leading corporate partnership initiatives for NGO’s such as CRY and
Pratham. Alpana has also led the training design for institutions and foundations like UIDAI, ILO
and WHH in her consultancy assignments.

In the space of CSR today Alpana lends perspective from three viewpoints, the academia as a
visiting faculty with SP Jain Institute of Management Studies for over 9 years, in her role as a
volunteer with an NGO working with a reading programme in schools of Hyderabad, where she
works on the platform of theatre for building conversation skills and the corporate perspective with
her work on CSR advisory and implementation.

Rachana Agarwal:

With over 20 years of experience, Rachana is a dedicated skilled and experienced instructional
designer. She has vast experience in analysing needs and developing customised content for
different industries.

She has also led the training design for institutions and foundations like GIZ and World Bank in
her consultancy assignments.