KISS-DU offers several programmes and initiatives designed to support students who fall into the bottom financial quintile and ensures their academic success.

Some of the key initiatives available for the students includes:-

1. Scholarships and Financial Aid
   1. 1. Institutional Funds:
         1. Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) Deemed to be University stands as the World’s first fully free residential University exclusively for Indigenous students.
         2. KISS-DU offers full tuition fee waiver to all its students, ensuring they are not encumbered with academic fees. Free- Ship Policy of KISS-DU: https://university.kiss.ac.in/docs/Criteria-5/5.1.1/KISS%20DU%20Free%20Studentship.pdf
         3. Admission notification for P.G. and Ph.D. programmes for the Academic Session 2024-25: https://university.kiss.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Notification-for-PG-Ph.D.-KISS-DU-2024-25.pdf
         4. Admission information brochure for academic year 2024-25 : https://university.kiss.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Admission-Information-Brochure-PG-Ph.D-KISS-DU-2024-25.pdf

            KISS-DU ensures that no student is deprived of education due to poverty by offering completely free residential facilities and meals to all students. The University provides safe and fully equipped hostel accommodation, with large bedded capacity for both boys and girls.

            During 2024, 2681 under graduate, postgraduate and doctoral students benefited under the KISS-DU Freeship Policy, reflecting the institutional commitment to enabling access without any financial burden.

            Special scholarships for Sports quota students are available.

      2. Government Scholarships: Additionally, the university facilitates government scholarships- Post-Matric Scholarships, National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students from Ministry of Tribal Affairs, National Scholarship Portal etc to further support students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. As a result, the proportion of students receiving financial aid due to poverty is effectively 100%, making KISS-DU a rare example of fully subsidized higher education for low-income tribal
         1. Post Matric Scholarship: Post-Matric Scholarship for ST/SC/OBC/SEBC/EBC Communities, Odisha is being offered by ST & SC Development and Minorities & Other Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha for SC, ST, OBC, EBC, and SEBC community students studying at the post-matriculation level. The selected scholars will receive financial assistance. To be eligible, an applicant must:- be a permanent resident of Odisha, belong to the ST/SC/OBC/SEBC/EBC category, be studying at the post-matric level , must have secured a minimum of 50% marks in the previous examination (For EBC/OBC/SEBC category student) and have an annual family income of less than ₹2,50,000; Scholarship amount : 12,000 Per year
         2. National Scholarship Scheme
            • Umbrella Scheme for Education of ST Children – Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for ST Students-Tripura (UG- 30,000 per year, PG-38,000 per year)
            • Post Matric Scholarship to ST Students – Mizoram: Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Tribes Students: The objective of the scheme is to provide financial assistance to students belonging to Scheduled Tribes pursuing Post-Matriculation recognized courses in recognized institutions. The scheme covers professional/ technical as well as non-professional and non-technical courses at various levels and also correspondence courses including distance and continuing education. The scheme is 90:10 funding from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Mizoram state. Scholarship Amount: Rs 21,700 per year.
            • Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students: The scholarships are awarded by the Ministry of Education, Government of India on the basis of results of Higher Secondary / Class XII Board Examination. A maximum of 82,000 fresh scholarships per annum are provided for pursuing graduate / postgraduate degree in colleges and universities and for professional courses, such as Medical, Engineering etc. Scholarship amount : Rs. 12,000 Per year
         3. Godabarisha Vidyarthi Protsahana Yojana (Laptop DBT)
            • Scholarship amount : 30,000 Per year
            • Scholarship is provided to buy a laptop
         4. Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana
            • Scholarship amount : 20,000 Per year
            • Applicant is eligible to apply and avail Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana in scholarship portal irrespective of applying/availing in any other department schemes.
            • Parents/ guardian’s from all sources shall not exceed Rs. 2,49,999.00 (Two Lakh Forty Nine Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety Nine ) per annum.
         5. Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana (Edn Astt): The objective of the scheme is to extend financial assistance to the eligible building and other construction worker for continuing education of their wards/ children under Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana being extended by the Odisha building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Scholarship Amount : Rs 7000 per year
         6. PG Merit Scholarship: Scholarship amount : 15,000 Per year
         7. UG Merit Scholarship: Scholarship amount : Rs. 10,000 Per year
         8. Vyasakabi Fakirmohan Bhasabruti: The scheme “Vyasakabi Fakir Mohan Bhasabruti Scholarship” is a Scholarship Scheme by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha. The objective of the scheme is the promotion of Odia Language by way of encouraging meritorious students to take up higher studies in Odia Language at U.G. and P.G. level. This is a one time scholarship of ₹ 20,000/- per student; awarded every year for Students studying UG with Odia Honours and PG in Odia respectively.

         Agency	Beneficiaries in 2024
         Post Matric Scholarship	2245
         Godabarisha Vidyarthi Protsahana Yojana (Laptop DBT)	75
         Gopabandhu Sikhya Sahayata Yojana	13
         Nirman Shramik Kalyan Yojana (Edn Astt)	16
         PG Merit	30
         U.G Merit	30
         Vyasakabi Fakirmohan Bhasabruti	18
         Umbrella Scheme For Education of ST Children – Post Matric Scholarship (Pms) For St Students-Tripura (NSP)	06
         Post Matric Scholarship To ST Students – Mizoram	05
         Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships for College and University Students	10

      3.  Research Fellowships
         1. National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students from Ministry of Tribal Affairs: This is a Central Sector Scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs and every year 750 fresh ST students are given fellowship for pursuing M.Phil. (only in Psychiatric Social Work/ M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology), Integrated M.Phil.+ Ph.D. and Ph. D. Courses. Scholarship Amount 28,000 per month.
         2. UGC JRF: UGC JRF stands for the Junior Research Fellowship awarded by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to candidates who qualify for the National Eligibility Test-Junior Research Fellowship (NET-JRF). It is a research fellowship that provides financial assistance for postgraduate students to pursue advanced studies and research leading to an M.Phil. or Ph.D. degree.
         3. Sankalp Research fellowship by KFintech:
            • Scholarship provided under CSR project of KFintech and is provided for Ph.D Students only.
            • Scholarship amount : Rs. 20,000 per month for 5 months

         Agency	Beneficiaries in 2024
         National Fellowship for Higher Education of ST Students from Ministry of Tribal Affairs	207
         UGC JRF	62
         KFintech Sankalp	03

      4. Earn while you learn programme: Implementing a unique ‘ Earn while you learn’ program to enable students to earn supplemental income alongside their studies. Vocational Training Centre at KISS-DU, links education with productivity, economic development and individual prosperity. In doing so, they ensure sustainable livelihoods. The course designs are based on chemical, appliqué, painting, food processing, tailoring, knitting, and drinking water. Vocational products included phenyl, hand wash, liquid detergent, tribal paintings, uniforms, etc. One-third of the surplus sales’ proceeds are given as incentives to students, under KISS’ innovative ‘Earn While you learn’ programme that provides supplementary income to students while encouraging them to study. Vocational classes are held for an hour everyday. https://kiss.ac.in/skill-development/