Scholarship for Higher Education

Education that protects, empowers, and creates generational change

SHE — Scholarship for Higher Education — is Yoga Gives Back’s five-year scholarship program supporting disadvantaged youth in India as they continue beyond secondary school into college, vocational training, and professional pathways.

Launched in 2013 in partnership with YGB’s trusted grassroots NGO partners, SHE grew from the deepest hope we heard from mothers in our Sister Aid micro-loan groups: we want a better life for our children. Many of these women had never been able to continue school themselves. Through YGB’s micro-loan program, they were building small businesses, saving for their daughters’ education, and dreaming of a future where the next generation could live with greater independence and self-worth.

Today, SHE supports 456 youth in West Bengal and Karnataka. Through scholarships, mentoring, family support, community-based protection, and digital literacy opportunities, SHE helps students build confidence, complete higher education, and become role models in their families and communities.
Donate to Support SHE
Become a Sponsor / Annual Partner

The Impact of SHE

SHE scholarship program helps students remain in education at one of the most vulnerable turning points in life — after secondary school, when poverty, gender discrimination, unsafe migration, early marriage, trafficking, and family hardship can interrupt a young person’s future.

In West Bengal, where SHE focuses on girls in high-risk rural communities, the program has achieved:

653

Girls reached

253

Girls completed Bachelor’s degrees

96%

Retention rate

99%

Targeted girls protected from child and forced marriage

2024 – 2025

This year's highlights
  • 297 out of 300 girls remained enrolled
  • 25 college students completed graduation
  • 30 girls passed their Higher Secondary exams with a 100% pass rate

2013 – 2026

Impact of our SHE program in West Bengal
  • 155 graduates now earning independently or self-employed
  • 23 graduates pursuing post-graduation or preparing for competitive exams
  • 981 school dropouts prevented and re-enrolled
  • 121 child marriages averted
  • 19 trafficking attempts stopped
  • 21 male support groups formed by SHE girls
SHE graduates are now working as nurses, teachers, entrepreneurs, corporate professionals, technology professionals, sales representatives, private tutors, social workers, and rural banking operators. Their success is changing what younger girls and their families believe is possible.
Read the 13 Years of SHE story

Two Communities, One Long-Term Commitment

SHE currently supports students in West Bengal and Karnataka, with each program shaped by local needs and carried out in partnership with trusted grassroots NGO partners.
West Bengal
Girls Staying in School, Graduating, and Leading
Partner

Nishtha

YGB’s trusted grassroots NGO partner serving rural communities through women’s groups, girls’ collectives, education, and community protection.
In this region, poverty, child marriage, trafficking, school dropout, unsafe migration, and climate vulnerability can converge. SHE helps girls continue their studies after secondary or higher secondary school through scholarship support, educational materials, mentoring, home visits, family counseling, peer groups, leadership training, and community awareness. Education becomes more than a pathway to a degree. It becomes protection, confidence, and a bridge to independence.
Karnataka
First-Generation Students Building New Futures
Partner

Deenabandhu Trust

YGB’s trusted grassroots NGO partner supporting children and youth from deeply disadvantaged backgrounds.

In this historically underserved district, many parents work as daily-wage earners and can support their children only through the 10th standard. SHE helps students continue into college, nursing, engineering, vocational training, postgraduate study, and other professional pathways by helping cover tuition, college fees, books, transportation, hostel expenses, and related educational needs.
After ten years of SHE at Deenabandhu Trust, nearly 100 youth had graduated with Bachelor’s degrees or special vocational skills and were working in various sectors while helping their families and communities.

Guru Krupa Foundation is a vital partner helping YGB expand higher education access in Karnataka. In 2025, YGB honored Guru Krupa Foundation with its first Partnership Award in recognition of its commitment to SHE.

Read about Guru Krupa Foundation’s support for SHE

Digital Literacy Expands What Education Makes Possible

For today’s students, education also requires digital access. Through YGB’s Digital Literacy initiatives, SHE students gain practical computer skills for schoolwork, exams, applications, employment, communication, and family support.

In 2025, 220 girls received digital literacy training through YGB-supported programs. Digital training helps students complete assignments, apply for exams and scholarships, fill out online forms, access essential services, prepare for future jobs, and support family businesses.


With support from New Learning Foundation, the Chromebook Project was added to provide easier access to computer training sessions in remote rural areas.

How the digital literacy initiative is creating multi-generational impact

Puja and Riya: Bringing Banking Access to Their Village
Read Puja and Riya’s story
Helping Women Artisans Reach New Markets
Read Sonia’s story
Learn more about YGB’s Digital Literacy Program

Student Stories

Sonia / Manvee’s Journey
Ruchita’s Journey
Guruprasad’s Journey
SHE Students in Chamarajanagar
SHE Student Stories from Karnataka
Rakshita’s Story
Anupriya’s Story
Manoji’s Story
Soubhagaya’s Story
Meet Suma

Support the Next SHE Student

A SHE scholarship helps a student continue school, complete higher education, gain skills for employment, and become a leader in her family and community.

Your support helps protect education, reduce vulnerability to early marriage and trafficking, strengthen families, expand digital access, and create long-term pathways to dignity and independence.
Donate to Support SHE
Become a Sponsor / Annual Partner