It has been a year-long wait for almost 6,500 students who will finally receive their scholarship for 2010 from the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) next week.

The students had to make several rounds of the PMC office before MNS activists intervened on their behalf.

Prashant Kanojia, city unit president, MNS, said they were approached by the students and parents on the issue. "We met (Municipal Commissioner) Mahesh Zagade on January 31 and gave him a letter saying that the pending scholarship of the students should be cleared as soon as possible. These students have been making several rounds of the corporation but have not received any answers," said Kanojia.u00a0

He said that soon after a meeting was held and it was decided that the pending money will be paid on February 7. About 5,422 students from std X will receive Rs 15,000 each and 1,029 students from std XII will get Rs 25,000.

Sankalp Kulkarni, who was studying at Vimalabai Garware High School, said they were intimated that they would receive the money in February.

"This was for std X, but I did not receive it then. My parents and I made numerous enquiries about the scholarship but were given different reasons for the delay. Thankfully, I will receive it now and I can use it when I appear for CET after completing my standard XII, which will be an expensive affair," Kulkarni said.

Vishakha Jadhav of Abhinav Vidyalaya High School (Marathi medium), said, "We waited for a long time for the scholarship but it never came. If I receive it now, it will be helpful for my future."

The students had to submit numerous documents, including address proof, school-leaving certificate and marksheet.

Pushpalata Pawar, education officer, PMC, said the process was delayed because of the paperwork. "We have to go through several papers and then send it to the higher officials and this takes time, so the process might have got delayed," Pawar said.