West Bengal Freeship Scheme 2026: Full Tuition Waiver Engineering
Job Description
West Bengal Freeship Scheme 2026 – Full/Half Tuition Waiver
Merit rank holders in WBJEE/JEE/NEET get 100% or 50% tuition fee waiver for Engineering, Pharmacy & Architecture courses in private colleges.
Full/Half Freeship
Engineering/Pharmacy/Architecture
Income: < ₹2.5 Lakh
Apply: wbhed.gov.in
Department of Higher Education, Government of West Bengal offers tuition fee waiver to top rank holders in state/national entrance exams for self-financing private institutions.
Table of Contents – West Bengal Freeship Scheme
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West Bengal Freeship Scheme – Quick Facts
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | West Bengal Freeship Scheme (WBFS) |
| Launched By | Department of Higher Education, Govt of WB |
| Benefits | Full (100%) or Half (50%) Tuition Fee Waiver |
| Courses | Engineering, Technology, Pharmacy, Architecture (UG) |
| Institutions | Self-financing Private Colleges (AICTE approved) |
| Official Website | wbhed.gov.in/wbfs |
Complete Eligibility Criteria
- Domicile: Must be permanent resident of West Bengal
- Merit Rank: Hold merit rank in State/National level entrance exams (WBJEE/JEE Main/NEET)
- Family Income: Annual income ≤ ₹2,50,000
- Courses: Enrolled in B.Tech/B.E./B.Pharm/B.Arch in private self-financing colleges
- Institutions: AICTE approved government/self-financing engineering colleges
Applicable to all AICTE-approved govt/self-financing engineering colleges in West Bengal.
Who Cannot Apply? (Ineligibility)
- Students receiving Swami Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship (SVMCM)
- Students getting any other State/Central Government scholarship
- Students from non-eligible institutions (non-AICTE approved)
- Family income above ₹2.5 Lakh
Freeship Benefits – Full vs Half
Full Freeship: 100% Tuition Fee Waiver (Top Rank Holders)
Half Freeship: 50% Tuition Fee Waiver (Next Rank Holders)
Half Freeship: 50% Tuition Fee Waiver (Next Rank Holders)
- Complete/partial exemption from tuition fees
- Applicable for entire UG course duration
- Only covers tuition fees (other fees may apply)
- Helps meritorious students from weaker financial backgrounds
Required Documents (Complete List)
- Class 10 & 12 Marksheets
- Merit Rank Certificate (WBJEE/JEE/NEET)
- Domicile Certificate (WB Government format)
- Income Certificate (≤ ₹2.5 Lakh, Joint BDO verified)
- College Admission Receipt
- Bank Account Details
- Recent Passport Size Photo
All documents must be PDF format ≤ 400KB. Download formats from official WBFS portal.
Application Process – Step-by-Step
- Visit wbhed.gov.in/wbfs
- Click “Proceed for Registration” → Accept terms
- Fill registration form → Get 15-digit Applicant ID
- Login with Applicant ID + Password
- Complete application form + Upload documents
- Click “Final Submit Application” (No edit after submission)
Applicant ID Format: 15 characters (used for login & tracking)
Password Policy (Mandatory Rules)
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Minimum Length | 8 characters |
| Upper Case | 1+ (A-Z) |
| Lower Case | 1+ (a-z) |
| Numeric | 1+ (0-9) |
| Special Character | 1+ (@#$^&*_) |
How to Get Domicile & Income Certificates?
- Visit WBFS official website
- Click “Download” section
- Download “Domicile Certificate” & “Income Certificate” formats
- Fill, print & get signed by Joint Block Development Officer (BDO)
- Scan & upload as PDF (≤400KB)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is TFW in West Bengal?
A: Tuition Fee Waiver (TFW) = Full/Half tuition fee exemption for merit rank holders in WBJEE/JEE.
Q: Last date to apply?
A: Typically March 31st (check official notification for current session).
Q: Freeship vs Scholarship – Which is better?
A: Freeship = Tuition fee waiver only | Scholarship = Cash grant for all expenses.
Q: Can I apply through NSP portal?
A: No, WB Freeship Scheme applications are ONLY through wbhed.gov.in/wbfs portal.
🎓 Scheme at a Glance
Full/Half Freeship Engineering/Pharmacy Income < ₹2.5L Merit Rank Required- Department of Higher Education, WB
- Private self-financing colleges
- AICTE approved institutions
📋 Quick Eligibility
- West Bengal Domicile
- Merit Rank (WBJEE/JEE)
- Family Income ≤ ₹2.5 Lakh
- UG Engineering/Pharmacy/Arch
📄 Key Documents
- Merit Rank Certificate
- Domicile Certificate
- Income Certificate (BDO)
- Class 10/12 Marksheets
⚠️ Cannot Apply If
- Getting SVMCM Scholarship
- Other Govt Scholarship
- Income > ₹2.5 Lakh
