Who we are and what we do?

Success in life begins with a quality education:

We at SSF are dedicated to creating a new generation of independent thinking young people, and to discover their own power to make a change, not only for themselves and their families, but also for their communities and the world at large. Our programs help them navigate the educational obstacles they so commonly face.

We discover academically brilliant students interested in Technology, Engineering and Medicine with financially constrained backgrounds, grant them scholarship upon detailed verification for all years of their education. We strive to create a good global citizen of the world by providing the much needed soft skills, spoken English training, as well as motivational and self confidence programs !

Who are our Scholars?

Our Scholars are exceptionally qualified students studying Engineering, Medicine, Nursing, Healthcare, etc. We currently sponsor over 400 scholars in 8 countries and across 16 states in India. They study in premier Institutes – IIT / NIT / Anna University / reputed Govt Engineering/Medical College.

A diligent selection of deserving scholars is made from low-income families, based on their academic excellence in high school. Shooting Stars not only supports them financially throughout their college years, but also provide various life skills training and mentoring needed to empower them to break the cycle of generational poverty.

Scholars Statistics

(Statistics to show growth 2016 - 3, 2017 - 14 , 2018 - 30 , 2019 - 106, 2020 - 309, May 2021- 402)

With a humble beginning of 3 scholars in 2016, we have witnessed an explosion of growth to over 400 scholars now in 2021.

We embrace our responsibility and commitment to serve and do so through transparency, collaboration, intentionality and stewardship.

Process of Approval

Scholars go through a very rigorous process of selection, right from review and approval of multiple sets of documentation from academic, income, community areas, a detailed video interview with student / parents, reference call, and home visits before finally approving and welcoming them into the Shooting Stars Family

Eligibility Criteria

Has secured admission into a Govt College / University in the fields of Engineering and Medicine
Annual Income to be less than Rs.2 Lakhs per annum
Preferred - First Graduates, Single/No parent households, Rural backgrounds

We are very PROUD of our scholars!

We are very proud of our scholars, who have graduated recently from different colleges and are working in prestigious organizations.

We at SSF strongly believe in student’s potential, providing them the opportunity to educate themselves and the community around them.

Let’s hear from our Scholars

Kases KaKuko Shashi Kumar Varshitha Naidu

Kases KaKuko

Kases Kakuko, Diploma(IT), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

I come from Pokot. Life caused me to have a single mother that has made me the strong person that I am today. I’m the eldest in my family and the first to receive education, followed by my two younger brothers. From an early age, I was curious to know about computers and asked interesting questions to my teachers. My interest in that field grew and when I completed high school, I learnt more about Information Technology courses from my friends and mentors. I’m currently doing my 3-year diploma in IT and will be completing it in August 2022. My desire is to get a good grade in my current Form 4 exams. I wanted to do a degree in IT, take up a specialization and to further strengthen my skills in this field.

“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one”. This is why I’m passionate about education and the career path that I have chosen. Scholarship from SSF gave me motivation to academically push myself, and helped me in achieving my dreams. They helped me find what I was looking for and consolidate in an easy way. I participated in a writing program on the topic “ How will I see myself 5 years from now” and I won first prize. SSF helped me emerge as a better leader and a better version of myself. With the leadership skills from SSF I aspire to talk about education and its importance to the kids around me and make them a better leader themselves. Thank you SSF for being a mentor, and providing me guidance and support throughout my journey. Although my path has many ups and downs, my varied and circuitous journey has given me a set of skills and experiences, no matter what obstacles I face, my goal will remain the same.

Shashi Kumar

Shashi Kumar Reddy, QA in Samsung, Chennai

I was brought up in Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. I lost my father in an accident and it felt like your life has fallen apart and you are caught up in a whirlwind. I eventually got my feet back on the ground, moved to a hostel and have been experiencing hostel life for nearly 12 years. My family holds two acres of farmland, however due lack of rainfall, we were unable to produce crops for the past 4 years. I was left with no direct source of income. Through my father’s friend I got a 30% discount in a private school for me and my brother.

I graduated from Saveetha Engineering College, Chennai through a scholarship from SSF. SSF recognized the potential in me and helped me move forward with my dreams. Personally, I was not confident with my speaking skills at that point. Attending the MILT program through SSF gave me courage and confidence to speak. The skills and strength I achieved through SSF helped me take a step towards my goal and made me grow as a person by immensely developing my collaborative spirit.

I work in Samsung as a Quality Assurance in Sriperumbudur, Chennai. I wanted to start a company which will deliver basic needs to people in rural areas. I want to make sure people who live there should also benefit from technology. I also would like to give back to my community by educating a student with great capability and making sure that speaking English or being an active public speaker is not that hard.

Varshitha Naidu

Varshitha Naidu, Quality Analyst, Capgemini

I’m from Peraiahgari Palli village, Chittoor district. I live with my father, mother and younger sister. My father is a farmer, who struggled very hard to provide education for me and my sister. I always explore Engineering as my career path and build necessary skills for my future. Once I completed Intermediate, I was perturbed if I will be able to do my Engineering, given my financial situations. Then came a Ray of Hope through my uncle, who suggested that I apply for scholarship in SSF.

With the support form SSF, I was able to secure an admission in Sri Venkateshwara Engineering College for Women, Tirupathi. Their help, dedication, attention and open-mind thinking paved the way for my success. The process was done in an easier way and pointed me in the direction of the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you SSF for hearing the needs of not only me but to many around the world.

My joy knew no bounds when I got the offer letter through campus interview. I’m currently placed as a Quality Analyst in Capgemini, Hyderabad. My dream is to buy a house in my village and donate to SSF, without them I wouldn't have come this long.