Education is widely recognized as the foundational step toward eliminating poverty and fostering self-sufficiency. By equipping individuals with essential skills and knowledge, education increases their chances of securing better employment, raises their earning potential, and empowers them to make informed decisions that improve their lives and those of their families. Research shows that each additional year of schooling can increase individual earnings by about 10%, and if all adults completed secondary education, global poverty could be reduced by more than half. Beyond financial benefits, education promotes critical thinking, self-confidence, and resilience, enabling people to adapt to challenges and participate actively in their communities. As a powerful equalizer, education breaks cycles of disadvantage, reduces economic inequalities, and creates opportunities for lasting economic independence and social mobility.
At this time, we support the following three programs:
The Young Engineers Scholarship (YES) was established in honor of Mr. Nagarjuna Yendamuri and Sudhakar Garlanka, successful engineers/entrepreneurs and alumni of JNTU, Kakinada, on January 1, 2015. This program is designed to provide assistance to qualified students in the field of Engineering. The program aims to support aspiring engineers by helping them pursue their education and work toward self-sufficiency. JNTU Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh (https://www.jntuk.edu.in/) , India has been selected as the first college in this program. Recipients of this scholarship have expressed gratitude for NSF’s financial aid, which have helped them overcome challenges in the pursuit of an Engineering degree. This scholarship reflects NSF’s commitment to ensuring every child has access to education and the opportunity to become an economically independent adult.
Om Shanti Nagarajan Educational Academy (www.nagarajanacademy.in)
Nagarajan Education Academy, also known as Om Shanti Nagarajan Academy, was founded in 1994 by Smt. M. Varalakshmi in memory of her late husband, Sri M. Nagarajan, a strong advocate for education. The academy is dedicated to providing free education to underprivileged children from Kindergarten to Seventh grade, with an enrollment of over 250 students. The school offers instruction from 1st grade to 7th grade and ensures students receive not only quality education but also a free meal, uniforms, shoes, textbooks, and supplies. The academy emphasizes moral values, personal hygiene, and holistic development through activities such as sports, yoga, meditation, art, and cultural programs. Many graduates have gone on to become self-sufficient professionals. The school receives support from organizations like the Next Step Foundation and local companies through their corporate social responsibility initiatives, helping to sustain its mission of uplifting economically challenged families in the Miyapur, Hyderabad area in Telangana, India.
The Pay-It-Forward Program is a zero-interest educational loan initiative designed to empower students in pursuing college and advanced degrees without the burden of traditional financial debt. Unlike conventional loans, this program allows recipients to focus on their education with the understanding that they will begin repaying the loan—interest-free—within 12 to 24 months after graduation. These repayments are then used to fund future students in need, creating a sustainable cycle of support. Every student who benefits from the program becomes a vital link in a growing chain of opportunity, turning their success into someone else’s starting point. This model not only expands access to higher education but also fosters a culture of responsibility, community, and long-term impact.
