India, July 9 -- Students selected for the overseas higher education scholarships under the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training and Human Development institute (SARTHI) scheme of the Maharashtra government are awaiting financial benefit even as they have started their professional course abroad.

Launched in 2023 with the intent to offer scholarships to meritorious students from marginalised communities, delay in disbursements of funds has forced selected candidates to avail loans, borrow from family and friends, and take up part-time jobs to survive in foreign lands.

According to officials, while 53 applicants were selected for the first batch of 2023-24, authorities capped the intake to 75 students and Rs.30 lakh scholarship p...