Philanthropy makes a big difference to people’s lives. On these lines, Our Beloved chancellor Dr.G.Viswanathan has taken several community development initiatives for the betterment of the society, and STARS (Support the Advancement of Rural Students Scheme) is one such philanthropic activity started in the year 2008. It aims at enhancing the rural students’ quality of life.

For children in rural villages of Tamil Nadu who grow up in difficult circumstances, VIT has become more than a place of academic instruction. It is a home away from home where they feel safe and happy, surrounded by caring Professors/Proctors who not only give them the education and skills to face the future, but also become their emotional pillar.

Since 2008 rural students of Tamil Nadu have been admitted through STARS scheme. Each student’s story is an inspiring story of change. Daily wage labourers and domestic helpers find it difficult to educate their children due to their unstable income and difficult living conditions. Their children who are academically brilliant, continue to live their lives in poverty like their families or settle down to basic jobs which satisfies neither their basic needs or their intellectual hunger While many people in our society ignore these hard facts and go ahead with their lives, VIT Management Stands tall as it takes these children in its fold through the STARS scheme (SUPPORT THE ADVANCEMENT OF RURAL STUDENTS). Financially disadvantaged children don’t have to stop dreaming of becoming an Engineer. VIT STARS Scheme helps these students from under privileged background to achieve what they deserve by giving them 100% fee waiver for their academic and hostel facilities including basic medical expenses..

The transition to higher education, which is particularly difficult and expensive for rural youth, requires support. To meet this concept in reality, VIT launched this social innovation as STARS Scheme. Based on their 12th std. marks, one boy and a girl from rural Government Higher Secondary schools in the different districts of Tamil Nadu are chosen under this STARS scheme. Most of the selected meritorious students are first generation graduates from the below poverty line families. The selected Students (STARS) are given admission to a B.Tech course in VIT with 100 percent Scholarship covering free accommodation, food, healthcare and other academic facilities.

VIT stands proud in giving high-quality education to the rural students of Tamil Nadu and provide the doorway for a good career, better social status and most importantly, fine tune them to be responsible citizens.