Low representation in professional fields, high poverty rates, and insufficient loans are some of the major reasons behind the financial barriers faced by Indian Muslims. Here, you can find the financial barriers Indian Muslim students face and how education funds reach them.
Between 2017-18 and 2021-22, while the overall number of minority students in higher education increased by 18.1%, the number of Muslim students increased only 14.7%.
So, it’s evident from the statistics that compared to students from SC, OBC, and ST backgrounds, Muslim students have not experienced the same progress level. Financial and social hindrances often have had a hand in this uneven progress.
If you’re keen to donate online for the betterment of their education, here’s our observation regarding some key financial barriers Muslim students face and how education funds their academic programmes.
Riba (Religious Prohibition of Interest)
So, what is Riba? Speaks for a moral ground?
Issues
Explicitly prohibited in the Quran and Sunnah, Riba (increase or excess) refers to the practice of marking interests or the use of loans, and sometimes the unethical exchange of goods. Since it promotes injustice, exploitation, and wealth concentration.
Due to this, several Muslim families avoid conventional loan-granting processes, affecting the number of Muslim students in higher education and the overall academic growth. On the other hand, due to limited financial support, self-funding is still a dream for a number of students.
Education Funds
Numerous organisations, such as the Burhani Qardan Hasana Trust, the Zakat Foundation of India, and the Hamdard Education Society, offer interest-free loans or Qard Hassan loans. These offers allow students to pursue higher education without conflicting with their religious principles.
Higher Level of Economic Disadvantages
The constant “hand-to-mouth” condition of Indian Muslims has been a key threat not only to their daily life activities, but also to higher education. Research shows that the average asset and consumption values are 79% and 87.9% of the all-India average.
Issue
A significant number of Muslims live in poverty and belong to the deprived class. It has led to higher dropout rates throughout the country, as earning becomes the sole concern. Irrespective of male or female students, the lack of financial support has hindered their academic and corporate dreams.
Education Funds
To stop such discrimination and let young students pursue their dreams, the AMP Higher Education Scholarship has come forward. This funding policy funds more than ₹10,000, exclusively for academically bright, but economically weak, Muslim students. It also provides tuition charges and other essential expenses.
So, why not donate online to help secure their future and create a better economy?
Hidden Costs of Education
Unfortunately, the educational expenses are not just limited to books or exam fees, but a handsome amount of support is required for school uniforms, tuition fees, transport, and technology.
So, how’s the availability? It is simply not enough.
Issue
Despite some government schemes, covering tuition and some other additional costs, daily transport, uniforms, and exam fees become a burden for Muslim families, being marginalized and a part of the economically weakest section in India. At this point, school dropouts are inevitable.
Education Funds
National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) and the Maulana Azad Education – two important bodies to provide loans at a low-interest rate. Apart from these, the PM-Vidyalaxmi Education Loan Scheme, introduced in November 2024, provides additional expenses and guarantor-free loans to meritorious students for their higher education.
| State and State-based Funds | What These Funds Do |
| Maharashtra (MAMFDC) | Up to ₹5 Lakh at 3% (per annum) for professional courses. |
| Gujarat (GMFDC) | Low-interest loans for technical or vocational courses. |
| Kerala (KSMDFC): | Concessional loans for education |
Table: Some State-based Funds for Muslim Education
Discontinuation of Government Schemes
Despite official approvals, the Indian government discontinued some key funding schemes for minority students, including Muslims, in 2022. Though the education board mentioned reasons like fellowship overlapping, it affected a huge number of minority students.
Issues
Major cuts, including the Padho Pradesh interest (subsidy scheme for foreign studies), the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) for higher education, and pre-matric scholarship classes I-VIII.
Education Funds
Some educational programs like IndiaZakat empower community charity, aiming to cover books, school fees, and student uniforms, reducing the poverty challenges significantly. But the help is not just limited to this; you can also donate online through reliable sources, and help Muslim students not give up their dreams of better days.
Gendered Economic Barriers
As per the 2011 census, 48.1% of Muslim women are illiterate, making the educational gap more vivid. Compared to other minority groups, Muslim women are the most economically and educationally marginalised
Issue
As patriarchy prevails in India throughout the course of history, it affects Muslim families, as well as their approach towards girl/women’s education. Women face a constant and compounded issue regarding their educational rights, as families keep their limited funds for boys. Apart from this, social constraints and discrimination discourage higher education, as well.
Education Funds
Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship aims to provide tuition and boarding expenses to minority girl students (with at least 50% marks in class XI-XII). Apart from this, the Rizvi Family Scholarship 2025 offers ₹50,000 to Muslim female students as education funds for pursuing graduation courses in STEM.
Final Thoughts
So, higher education for Muslim students in India is not just a “regular” or “happening” event, and due to this, a lot of meritorious students cannot pursue their journey. If you donate online, it can help them grow in a rational and supportive world and allow them access to essential resources.
By donating, you can be a part of the project that ensures a better future for Muslim students in India, and a brighter future for the country as a whole.
Interested in Donating Online Educational Funds to Help Muslim Students in India?
Not sure about the processes or funds’ transparency? Find the best one with authenticity and credibility, and help the children dream big!
However, before your donation, check the website carefully, and do not forget to verify the credibility. And make sure that your donation does not go in vain.
