VIT-AP admits 50 rural students under STARS scheme

VIT-AP University has admitted 50 meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds under its STARS (Support the Advancement of Rural Students) Scheme, offering them a 100 per cent waiver of tuition and hostel fees.

The beneficiaries, selected from 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh, secured top ranks in the Intermediate Public Examination (IPE). The initiative aims to ensure that deserving students are not denied higher education due to financial constraints.

The STARS Scheme, launched by VIT Chancellor G. Viswanathan at VIT Vellore in 2008 and introduced at VIT-AP in 2017, supports academically talented rural students from economically weaker sections.

Vice-Chancellor P. Arulmozhivarman said many of the selected students come from families of daily wage earners, small farmers and domestic workers, adding that the scheme seeks to empower them through quality education and prepare them for leadership roles.

Registrar Jagadish Chandra Mudiganti said the university remains committed to creating equal educational opportunities regardless of financial background.

The university said the STARS initiative has emerged as a model for inclusive education by enabling talented students from underserved communities to pursue higher studies without financial burden.