Stress of Scholarship Holder Students in Higher Education: A Pilot Study of the Marathwada Region

Abstract: Stress has become a major concern among students in higher education, particularly due to academic demands and socio-economic pressures. The present study aimed to examine the overall level of stress and types of stress among scholarship holder and non-scholarship holder students in higher education institutions of the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. A descriptive, cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The sample consisted of undergraduate and postgraduate students selected through a random sampling technique. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires, including a demographic information schedule and a stress assessment questionnaire measuring overall stress levels (mild, moderate, and severe) and types of stress (acute stress, chronic stress, and eustress). The results revealed that 48.82% of scholarship holder students experienced mild stress, 28.66% moderate stress, and 22.34% severe stress, whereas 54.66% of non-scholarship holder students reported mild stress, 27.33% moderate stress, and 20.50% severe stress. With regard to types of stress, 52.12% of scholarship holder students reported acute stress, 32.45% chronic stress, and 16.66% eustress. In contrast, non-scholarship holder students showed lower levels of acute (40.33%) and chronic stress (28.30%) but a higher level of eustress (31.56%). The findings indicate that scholarship holder students experience comparatively higher levels of distress, possibly due to academic performance pressure and financial dependency. The study highlights the need for targeted stress management interventions and institutional support systems to promote mental well-being among higher education students.

Keywords: Academic Stress, Scholarship Holder Students, Non-Scholarship Holder Students, Higher Education, Mental Health, Marathwada Region