The Higher Education Commission (HEC) in Islamabad extends the HEC Need-Based Scholarship initiative to undergraduate students across 98 universities nationwide. Eligibility is restricted to those enrolled in undergraduate programs at public sector universities and their affiliated sub-campuses. Applicants must have gained admission through open merit, as those under self-finance schemes are ineligible.
Pakistan boasts a wealth of talented youth, yet financial constraints hinder many, impeding their access to higher education. Recognizing this, the Government entrusts the Higher Education Commission with supporting needy students through need-based scholarships.
Universities announce HEC need-based scholarships, and students obtain application forms from the HEC website. These forms are then submitted to their university’s Financial Aid office for processing. Applications cannot be directly sent to HEC universities handle shortlisting and submission to the commission.
Criteria for Eligibility
- HEC-selected public sector Pakistani universities offer financial aid and scholarships for undergraduate studies in all disciplines.
- Prospective students must compete for admission based on institutional admission policies and enroll in 4-5 year undergraduate programs.
- Students with demonstrated financial need already enrolled in participating institutions can apply.
- The Institutional Scholarship Award Committee determines eligibility, considering financial circumstances and family background.
- University budget constraints determine the number of available slots.
- Funding guarantees coverage for the program’s entirety, with replacements from the waiting list in case of dropouts.
- All disciplines remain open for consideration, with the university deciding inclusion based on grant allocation and program cost.
- Full funding supports Medicine, Pharm-D, and other five-year programs.
- The university may adjust the total number of scholarships to cover university fees within the allocated grant.
- Each grantee receives a monthly stipend of Rs.6000 in addition to university fee coverage.
- Students admitted under self-finance schemes are ineligible for the HEC Need-Based Scholarship Program.
Universities in the Program
- AJK Province
- AJK University, Muzaffarabad
- Mirpur University of Science & Technology, Mirpur (AJK)
- University of Poonch, Rawalakot
- The Women University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Bagh
- University of Kotli, Kotli (AJK)
- Balochistan
- University of Balochistan, Quetta
- Balochistan Univ. of IT & MS, Quetta
- Sardar Bahadur Khan Women University, Quetta
- Lasbela Univ. of Agri., Water & Marine Sciences, Uthal
- Balochistan Univ. of Engg. & Tech., Khuzdar
- University of Turbat, Turbat
- University of Loralai, Loralai
- Bolan University of Medical & Health Sciences, Quetta
- Federal
- Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad
- International Islamic University, Islamabad
- National Univ. of Modern Languages, Islamabad
- Air University, Islamabad
- National Defence University, Islamabad
- Bahria University, Islambad
- COMSATS Institute of IT, Islamabad
- Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad
- Pakistan Institute of Development Eco., Islamabad
- Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabd
- Virtual University of Pakistan
- Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad
- Gilgit Baltistan
- Karakurum International University, Gilgit
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- University of Peshawar, Peshawar
- Gomal University, D.I. Khan
- Kohat Univ. of Science & Tech., Kohat
- University of Malakand, Chakdara
- Hazara University, Mansehra
- University of Science & Tech., Bannu
- Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women University, Peshawar
- Islamia College University, Peshawar
- Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan
- Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal, Dir Upper
- University of Swat, Swat
- University of Haripur, Haripur
- Bacha Khan University, Charsada
- University of Swabi, Swabi
- The University of Agriculture, Peshawar
- Univ. of Engg. & Tech., Peshawar
- Khyber Medical University, Peshawar
- Instt. of Management Sciences, Peshawar
- Khushal Khan Khattak University, Karak
- Abbotabad University of S&T, Abottabad
- The University of Swabi for Women, Swabi
- FATA University, Darra Adam Khel
Application Process for NEED BASED Scholarships
- All universities independently announce their application deadlines for the HEC need-based scholarship. Contact your university’s financial aid office for details.
- Interested applicants can obtain the Scholarship Application Form from the Financial Aid Office (FAO) at the participating University/Institution or download it online.
- After completing the form, applicants must submit it along with supporting documents to the same Financial Aid office at the university (HEC does not accept applications directly).
- Students must secure admission to one of the approved disciplines at the participating Universities/Institutions based on their admission criteria.
- Note that this scholarship program also offers partial scholarships for students already enrolled at the selected university/DAI.
- It’s important to note that the funds under this scholarship scheme are not transferred directly to students by HEC. Payments are made to students through participating universities/institutions.
NEED BASED SCHOLARSHIP AWARD PROCESS
- The Institutional Scholarship Award Committee (ISAC), chaired by the Vice Chancellor of the participating institution, thoroughly reviews all prospective candidates’ applications.
- The ISAC, comprising members from the institution and external members, ensures impartiality and transparency in the selection process.
- Once the ISAC recommends students, along with the Minutes of the Meeting, it shares the information with HEC for review and information.
- Upon finalizing the list of awardees, the participating institutions will disburse the funds directly to the selected students.