Apna Spana: A Driver of Education

NGO Sapna, registered in Delhi on 21st October 2004, was founded by a group of professionals inspired by Gandhian ideals of ‘Sewa’ (selfless service). Our mission is to act as an ‘agent of change’ to support and empower the poorest of the poor in the areas of health, education, gender, community development, and social welfare.

For over a decade, NGO Sapna has been working to improve access to quality education for underprivileged girl children and rural youth through initiatives such as Sapna Shikshalaya and Sapna IT College. Through its deep engagement with rural and economically marginalized communities, the organization has observed that many bright and motivated students are unable to pursue higher education (Graduation) due to severe financial constraints, limited guidance, and lack of access to funding opportunities. These on-ground learnings have shaped the vision and design of the Apna Sapna program.

About the Program – Apna Sapna- A DRIVER OF EDUCATION

Apna Sapna is an education support initiative of NGO Sapna aimed at enabling financially disadvantaged yet academically deserving students to pursue graduation from government colleges and universities.

Under this program, NGO Sapna will identify eligible students facing financial challenges and connect them with individual donors or sponsoring organizations willing to support their higher education. NGO Sapna will act as a facilitator, ensuring transparency, accountability, and continuous monitoring throughout the students’ academic journey.

Program Objectives

• To support deserving students from underprivileged backgrounds in pursuing Graduation level education
• To reduce financial barriers that hinder access to higher education
• To bridge the gap between students in need and donors willing to support education
• To promote long-term employability, self-reliance, and social upliftment

Program Model & Financial Support

• Students will be selected based on academic merit, financial need, and motivation
• Selected students will be matched with suitable donors/sponsors
• Sponsorship amount: Rs. 25 thousand to Rs. 2 lakhs per student/per annum
• Funds will be utilized strictly for education-related expenses (tuition fees and academic costs & mess fees)
• NGO Sapna will ensure proper documentation, utilization tracking, and reporting

Program Governance & Management Structure

To ensure effective implementation and transparent governance of the Apna Sapna program, NGO Sapna will constitute a three-member Managing Committee responsible for overall planning, coordination, and decision-making.

Key responsibilities include:

• Program oversight and approvals
• Coordination with educational institutions
• Ensuring transparency, accountability, and proper utilization of funds
• Periodic review of student progress and donor reporting

To support on-ground implementation, a Liaison Officer will be appointed as the primary point of contact between students, educational institutions, donors, and NGO Sapna.

Responsibilities of the Liaison Officer include:

• Regular communication with supported students
• Coordination with colleges/universities for academic updates and verification
• Conducting field visits and student interactions
• Submitting monitoring and satisfaction reports
• Ensuring timely and transparent communication with donors

Courses & Scholarship Coverage

Under the Apna Sapna program, financial assistance will be provided for selected Graduation courses. The level of support will depend on donor preference and student need.

Course / Discipline	100% Coverage	50% Coverage	30% Coverage
Engineering (PG)	✔️	✔️	✔️
MBBS	✔️	✔️	✔️
Chartered Accountancy (CA)	✔️	✔️	✔️
Development Studies	✔️	✔️	✔️
Environmental Studies	✔️	✔️	✔️
Political Science	✔️	✔️	✔️
Psychology	✔️	✔️	✔️
English Literature	✔️	✔️	✔️

Note: Final coverage (100%, 50%, or 30%) will be decided based on donor commitment, course cost, and student need.

Target Population

Criteria	Details
Name of States	6 States (Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujrat)
College / University	Pan India (Government Institutions only)
Age	17 years and above
Gender	All

Eligibility Criteria

Students applying under the Apna Sapna program must meet the following minimum criteria:

Academic Eligibility

• Minimum 60% marks in Class 12 (or equivalent)
• Relevant entrance exam qualification/score, wherever applicable

Socio-Economic Eligibility

• Students belonging to BPL / EWS categories
• Selection will be irrespective of caste, ethnicity, race, creed, or religion
• Family income and financial background will be verified during screening

Monitoring & Continuation Criteria

To ensure academic seriousness and effective utilization of funds, continued support under the program will be subject to annual performance review.

Course / Discipline	Minimum Required Performance (Year-on-Year)
Engineering	At least 70%
MBBS	At least 70%
Chartered Accountancy	At least 50%
Development Studies	At least 70%
Environmental Studies	At least 70%
Psychology	At least 70%
English Literature	At least 75%

Note: Failure to meet minimum academic performance may lead to review, modification, or discontinuation of financial support, subject to Managing Committee approval.

For Donor

As a motivating factor for donors, Apna Sapna provides an opportunity to institute a named scholarship in coordination with the concerned college or university. Donors supporting a student may choose to establish the scholarship in the name of their parents, relatives, friends, or any respected personality, creating a meaningful legacy while empowering deserving students to pursue higher education.

Conclusion

Through Apna Sapna, NGO Sapna seeks to ensure that financial hardship does not become a barrier to higher education. By connecting deserving students with compassionate donors and maintaining a strong governance and monitoring framework, the program aims to create lasting, measurable impact in the lives of underprivileged youth.

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