30,000 Scholarships Announced for Punjab Students

After the successful Benazir income support programme, Punjab has launched 30,000 merit-based scholarships under the Chief Minister Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship Program 2025, covering 100% tuition fees for talented students. Apply online by September 15, 2025, via the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) portal, ensuring clear document uploads. This phase supports 80,000 total beneficiaries, including 1,660 females and 637 minorities, with PKR 7 billion invested annually (Business Recorder).

What is the Honhaar Scholarship Program?

The Honhaar Scholarship Program 2025, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, funds undergraduate students in Punjab to pursue BS, MBBS, BDS, and other degrees without financial stress. It covers 30,000 students annually across 50 public universities, 16 medical colleges, 131 graduate colleges, and select private institutions like LUMS and NUST (PHEC). Phase 2 targets 3rd–8th semester BS students and 2nd–5th year MBBS/BDS students, aiming for 120,000 beneficiaries by 2029 with PKR 130 billion over eight years (sach.org.pk).

For example, a student in Multan can study engineering tuition-free, focusing on their career.

Who’s Eligible for the 30,000 Scholarships?

Eligibility is merit- and need-based:

• Domicile: Punjab (some seats for other provinces in Phase 3).
• Age: ≤22 years by September 15, 2025.
• Family Income: ≤PKR 300,000/month for public institutions, ≤PKR 500,000 for private/federal (affidavit required).
• Academic Requirements:
  • ≥70% Intermediate marks for sciences, ≥65% for arts/social sciences.
  • ≥80% for MBBS/BDS in public medical colleges.
• Enrollment: Admitted/enrolled in eligible BS, BA, BSc, MBBS, or BDS programs (1st semester for new students, 3rd–8th for Phase 2).

Rural and low-income students, like those in D.G. Khan, are prioritized (PHEC).

How to Apply for the Honhaar Scholarship

Applications are online-only via the PHEC portal. Follow these steps:

Create Your Account

• Visit honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk.
• Sign up with CNIC, email, mobile, and program details.
• Verify email/SMS if prompted.

Complete the Form

• Enter personal, academic, and income details exactly as on documents.
• Include roll numbers/registration IDs (e.g., university admission ID).

Upload Documents (Clear Scans)

• CNIC (applicant & guardian), Punjab domicile.
• Matric and Intermediate marksheets.
• University admission letter or fee challan.
• Income proof (salary slips, pension book, or business statement).
• Income affidavit (notarized, sample on PHEC portal).
• Utility bill (if required) and semester letter for MBBS/BDS.

Submit & Track

• Submit by September 15, 2025; the portal time-stamps entries.
• Track status on your dashboard; respond to queries promptly.

Mobile teams are visiting rural areas like Bhakkar to assist, and a Honhaar app is planned (sach.org.pk).

What the Scholarship Covers

• Covered: 100% tuition fees paid directly to your institution.
• Not Covered: Hostel, transport, books, or late/repeat fees (confirm with your university).
• Bonus: Top scorers may receive laptops (Core i7, 13th-gen) under Phase 2’s 50,000-unit distribution (nespakfoundation.com.pk).

Selection & Merit List Process

• Scrutiny: PHEC checks eligibility, documents, and income via verification calls/emails.
• Merit Formula: 30% Matric + 70% Intermediate marks for most programs (Business Recorder).
• Institutional Role: Universities validate enrollment and fees before forwarding to PHEC.
• Merit Lists:
  • Provisional: Posted on the portal post-deadline; file objections for errors.
  • Final: Confirmed via SMS/email or portal; tuition is settled with institutions (gotest.com.pk).

Eligible Programs & Institutions

• Programs: 67–68 disciplines, including AI, cybersecurity, medicine, engineering, business, and social sciences.
• Institutions: 50 public universities (e.g., UET Lahore), 16 medical colleges (e.g., D.G. Khan Medical College), 131 graduate colleges, and private institutions like LUMS, NUST, FAST, COMSATS.
• Action: Confirm your program and institution on the PHEC portal list (hdscholarships.com).

Document Checklist

• CNIC (applicant & guardian), Punjab domicile.
• Matric and Intermediate marksheets.
• University admission letter/fee challan.
• Income proof (e.g., salary slips, pension book).
• Notarized income affidavit (PHEC sample).
• Utility bill (if required).
• MBBS/BDS semester letter or program-specific proof.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

• Blurry Uploads: Rescan at 300 DPI; use clear file names (e.g., “CNIC_Applicant.jpg”); stay within portal size limits.
• Wrong Affidavit: Download the PHEC sample; use PKR 100 stamp paper and notarize.
• Non-Listed Program: Verify your discipline/institution on the portal before applying.
• Mismatched Data: Enter marks/income exactly as on documents; don’t round.
• Late Submission: Apply by September 10 to avoid portal crashes (sach.org.pk).

Special Notes for Medical, Engineering, & Allied Programs

• MBBS/BDS: Upload current semester letter and fee challan; ensure 2nd–5th year enrollment (pu.edu.pk).
• Engineering/CS: Confirm program accreditation; keep registration slip ready.
• Allied Health/Pharm-D: Include semester confirmation; follow the same checklist.

Verification, Results, & Fee Disbursement

• Verification: Expect calls/emails to confirm income or enrollment.
• Results: Provisional lists posted post-September 15; final lists via SMS/email (gotest.com.pk).
• Disbursement: Tuition is paid directly to your institution; keep fee receipts.

Fraud Prevention

• No Fees: The application is free; no agents needed.
• Protect Data: Never share OTPs, passwords, or bank details.
• Official Channels: Use honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk and university notices only.
• Report Scams: Contact PHEC at 042-99231903 if approached by suspicious parties.

FAQs

What is the Honhaar Scholarship 2025?

The Honhaar Scholarship funds 30,000 Punjab students with 100% tuition for BS, MBBS, and other programs (PHEC).

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

Punjab residents, ≤22 years, with ≤PKR 300,000 family income and ≥70% Intermediate marks (sciences) or ≥65% (arts) qualify (smu.punjab.gov.pk).

How do I apply for the 30,000 scholarships?

Visit honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk, register, upload documents, and submit by September 15, 2025 (punjabjobz.pk).

What disciplines are covered?

Covers 67–68 fields like AI, medicine, engineering, and business at listed institutions (hdscholarships.com).

What is the application deadline?

Applications close September 15, 2025; apply early to avoid issues (sach.org.pk).

Can private university students apply?

Yes, for listed private institutions like LUMS with ≤PKR 500,000 income (kinnaird.edu.pk).

Conclusion

The 30,000 Honhaar Scholarships for 2025 offer Punjab students a tuition-free path to BS, MBBS, and more. Sign up on the PHEC portal, upload clear documents, and apply by September 15, 2025. Check your dashboard for merit lists and keep copies of all files. Share your application experience in the comments to help others!