HYDERABAD: Even as officials are working on finalising guidelines for the implementation of the Financial Assistance to Students of Telangana (FAST) scheme, the State government on Wednesday issued administrative sanction for Rs 424.5 crore for the same. The government has earmarked Rs 274.5 crore for the BC Welfare Department for extending financial assistance to BC students and Rs 103 crore for SC students and Rs 50 crore for tribal students. It may be recalled that the government had already assured that it would pay arrears to tune of Rs 1587.26 crore to professional colleges, pending for the last four academic years. This would enable students to receive certificates from their respective colleges, as the colleges withheld students’ documents owing to non-payment of tuition fees. Such is the situation that scores of students, despite having passed out from colleges, are unable to apply for higher studies or jobs as their certificates are withheld.