A student from my college has been selected in IIM Jammu for an MBA program. He can't afford the fee. What are his options?

All the IITs and IIMs offer extensive financial support owing to their high fees. So financially weak need not worry about the fees part. That problem can be tackled through

• Student loans - This is the most commonly adopted method by the students of all IIMs. Education loans are offered at extremely low-interest rates. The banks trust the institute's reputation and the students' assurance of earning a lot after passing out from IIM.

• Merit-based-scholarships: These scholarships not only help tackle the financial burden but also instill healthy competition among students.

• Means-based-scholarships: Students who are in dire need of financial assistance can present income/asset proofs. Some of these scholarships may or may not require you to maintain a certain academic performance.

• Competitions: A lot of competitions at IIMs offer cash prizes.

These are in fact not the only ways to avail of financial assistance. There are many other ways so don’t let your financial situation come in the way of your opportunities and bright future.