Can Disabled Students Apply for Multiple Scholarships on MahaDBT? – Complete Guide 2026
- Aryan Jadhav
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Introduction / Overview
Many students with disabilities (Divyang students) in Maharashtra rely on MahaDBT scholarships to pursue education without financial barriers. A common question among students and parents is:
“Can a disabled student apply for multiple scholarships on MahaDBT in the same academic year?”
This guide explains the official rules, exceptions, common scenarios, strategy to maximize benefits, and tips to avoid rejection — all with MahaDBT 2026 context.
In short:
Disabled students can apply to more than one scholarship scheme on the portal,
But they cannot receive financial benefits from conflicting schemes at the same time unless explicitly allowed.
This blog breaks down exactly how that works.
Understanding MahaDBT & Scholarship Rules
MahaDBT (Maharashtra Direct Benefit Transfer Portal) hosts multiple scholarship schemes funded by:
Government of India (GOI)
Government of Maharashtra
Social Justice Department
Tribal Development Department
Directorate of Higher Education (DHE)
Each scheme has its own eligibility, benefits, and conditions.
Disabled students often qualify for more than one scheme based on:
Category (Divyang / SC / ST / OBC / EWS)
Academic performance
Income limit
Course level
Common scholarship categories include:
Post-Matric Scholarship for Persons with Disability
GOI Post-Matric Scholarship
Tuition Fee & Examination Fee Freeship
Maintenance Allowance
Merit-based scholarships
DHE (Directorate of Higher Education) schemes
Applying to multiple schemes is possible, but only one scholarship benefit can be sanctioned at a time in most cases.
General Rule: One Scholarship Benefit per Academic Year
The general MahaDBT rule across most scholarship categories is:
A student can apply to multiple schemes simultaneously, but can receive financial benefit from only one scholarship for the same academic period, unless the government specifically allows stacking of benefits.
Why?
To prevent duplicate funding for the same academic expense
To ensure fair distribution of limited government resources
This rule applies to most scholarships, including those for disabled students.
When Disabled Students Can Apply to Multiple Scholarships
1. Non-Overlapping Benefits
If two scholarships cover different types of benefits, a disabled student may receive both if government rules allow stacking.
Example scenarios:
Merit scholarship (academic bonus) + Fee reimbursement
Hostel allowance + Maintenance allowance
Exam fee reimbursement + Books aid
You must check the eligibility conditions of both schemes.
2. Different Funding Agencies
If one scholarship is funded by the Government of India and another is funded by Government of Maharashtra with no overlapping benefit rules, they may allow combined benefits.
But this is only valid if the scheme rules explicitly allow it.
When a Disabled Student Cannot Receive Multiple Scholarships
1. Mutually Exclusive Schemes
Some scholarships explicitly state:
“Benefit under this scheme cannot be combined with any other scholarship.”
If both schemes contain this clause, you can apply to both, but only one benefit will be awarded.
Examples:
Two tuition fee reimbursement schemes
Maintenance allowance from two different scholarship lines
2. Same Category of Benefit
If two scholarships provide the same benefit (e.g., tuition fee), only one can take effect.
Official Examples & Scenarios
Scenario 1: Disabled Student in Engineering
Applied Schemes:
Post-Matric Scholarship for Persons with Disability
GOI Post-Matric Scholarship
Tuition Fee Freeship
Maintenance Allowance
Outcome:
Tuition Fee Freeship and Post-Matric Scholarship may not be combined if both cover tuition fee
A student may get one tuition benefit + one maintenance allowance only if the schemes allow different benefits
Scenario 2: Disabled MBA Student
Applied Schemes:
DHE Merit Scholarship
PwD Post-Matric Scholarship
Exam Fee Aid
Maintenance Allowance
Outcome:
Merit scholarship + maintenance allowance may be allowed concurrently if rules permit stacking
But two maintenance allowance schemes cannot be combined
Steps to Apply to Multiple Scholarships on MahaDBT
Register/Login on MahaDBT
Complete your profile & update disability certificate status
Update income certificate & academic details
Check eligibility for every scheme
Apply to all eligible scholarships within deadlines
After submission, check the dashboard for rejection or approval updates
Applying to multiple schemes increases chances of getting at least one sanctioned.
What Happens After Multiple Applications?
After the verification of documents:
MahaDBT system automatically decides which scholarship benefit gets sanctioned
In case of conflicting schemes, the department may ask the student to choose one
If a student tries to claim dual benefits illegally, the application may be rejected or benefit may be reversed
You may receive:
Sanction order for one scholarship
Or, multiple sanction orders with notes on eligible benefits
Always check the sanction letter details.
Best Strategy for Disabled Students
Apply to all eligible schemes that you qualify for
Note priority orderFor example:
1st choice: Post-Matric Scholarship for PwD
2nd choice: Tuition Fee Freeship
3rd choice: Maintenance Allowance
If you get one scholarship but still need support, seek departmental clarification on stacking
Keep all documents updated annually
Complete renewals on time
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying to only one scholarship
Missing the income certificate update
Ignoring renewal deadlines
Assuming multiple benefits will be automatically given
Uploading expired or unclear disability certificates
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can a disabled student receive both maintenance allowance and tuition reimbursement?
Yes, if the schemes allow different benefits and rules permit stacking.
Does MahaDBT allow two scholarship sanctions at the same time?
Yes, but only if the scholarship rules permit multiple benefits (rare exceptions).
Do I need to renew every scholarship separately?
Yes, renewal is scheme-specific and must be done before the deadline.
Can I apply to a scholarship even if I’m above the income limit?
No. Each scholarship has its own income limit that must be met.
Conclusion / Final Advice
Yes, disabled students can apply for multiple scholarships on MahaDBT — but they must understand that only one scholarship benefit may be sanctioned in most cases, unless the rules explicitly permit benefiting from multiple schemes simultaneously.
Applying strategically to all eligible scholarships and updating documents properly increases the likelihood of receiving at least one sanctioned financial benefit.
For maximum chances:
Apply early
Keep certificates updated
Track your application on the MahaDBT dashboard
Call to Action – Important Official Links
MahaDBT Portal: https://mahadbt.maharashtra.gov.in
Social Justice & Special Assistance Department: https://sjsa.maharashtra.gov.in
Aadhaar Services & Bank Linking: https://resident.uidai.gov.in
PFMS DBT Payment Status: https://pfms.nic.in
Income Certificate Services: https://aaplesarkar.maharashtra.gov.in
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