Chennai: As many as 102 students from government schools have been offered free education under VIT University's STARS (Support The Advancement of Rural Students) scheme for the academic year, the university said in a statement on Friday.

Of the selected students, 90 will pursue their studies at the Vellore campus and 12 at the Chennai campus. VIT Chancellor Dr. G. Viswanathan will formally admit them during a function to be held later today, the release said.

Launched in 2008, the STARS initiative aims to support high-performing students from rural government higher secondary schools by providing them full tuition and living expenses. So far, a total of 1,046 students—including 707 first-generation graduates—have benefited from the programme.

According to the university, 801 of these graduates are currently employed in multinational companies, earning salaries ranging from ₹6 lakh to ₹40 lakh per annum.

District Collector Subbulakshmi, School Education Department Director Kannappan and other dignitaries are expected to take part in the admission event.