Education is a powerful tool, but for many students in Punjab, financial constraints stand in the way of academic dreams. Luckily, several scholarship programs offer incredible support—for high achievers, students in need, and children of government employees. This article breaks down the most prominent Punjab-based scholarships, how to apply for them, eligibility factors, and tips for a successful application.
1. Leading Scholarship Programs in Punjab
1.1 PEEF – Punjab Educational Endowment Fund
Founded in 2008 in Lahore by then Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) offers merit- and need-based scholarships to talented but financially disadvantaged students across Punjab and beyond—covering regions such as Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and ICT
Key Features:
- Supports multiple levels: Secondary, Intermediate, Graduation, Master’s, PhD
- As of 2024–25, has awarded over 490,000 scholarships totaling more than PKR 30 billion
- Offers specialized programs like CMMS (PhD scholarships for Punjab students admitted in top-50 global universities) and scholarships for minority students through collaboration with the Human Rights & Minorities Affairs Department
1.2 Honhaar Scholarship Program
Launched by Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Honhaar Scholarship supports around 30,000 annual scholarship awards for undergraduate students across 68 disciplines—including in public sector universities, medical colleges, and top private institutions like LUMS, FAST, and NUST
Eligibility Criteria:
- Punjab domicile.
- Age ≤22 at application deadline.
- Family income < PKR 300,000/month, with affidavit required.
- Enrollment in approved disciplines and institutions, such as LUMS, COMSATS, GIKI, and relevant public universities
1.3 Provincial Benevolent Fund Scholarships (PBF)
This scholarship supports children of government employees at various educational levels under two categories:
- Gazetted employees: Up to PKR 32,000 per annum for advanced degrees.
- Non-gazetted employees: Up to PKR 8,000.
- A special award of PKR 50,000 goes to those achieving 90% or higher in exams like Matriculation or above
1.4 Scholarships via the Higher Education Department (HED)
The Punjab government also offers university-specific scholarships through the Higher Education Department, available at esteemed institutions such as University of the Punjab (Lahore), Government College University (Faisalabad, Lahore), University of Gujrat, Islamia University (Bahawalpur), Bahauddin Zakariya University (Multan), and more
2. Step-by-Step Application Guide
Step 1: Identify Relevant Scholarships
- Determine your qualification level: high school, intermediate, undergraduate, or graduate.
- Verify your eligibility: Punjab domicile, income level, academic merit, and institution acceptance.
Step 2: Familiarize With Requirements
- PEEF: Merit and financial need documents.
- Honhaar: Admission confirmation, age and domicile proof, income affidavit.
- PBF: Employee status, exam percentage proof.
- HED Scholarships: University-specific criteria.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
Typically required:
- Academic transcripts and certificates.
- Proof of domicile (domicile certificate).
- National ID card.
- Proof of family income (e.g., affidavit).
- Enrollment or admission letters (for Honhaar, HED, PEEF PhD).
- Extra documents as specified by individual programs.
Step 4: Apply Online via Official Portals
- PEEF: Use the official PEEF scholarship portal for all levels including PhD and minority-specific scholarships.
- Honhaar: Register online at honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk
- PBF: Download and submit the application form as announced publicly.
- HED: Apply as per instructions on university-specific HED portals.
Step 5: Submit Applications and Track
- Ensure submissions before deadline (typically announced annually).
- Use HEC support or citizen portal for any application issues or delays.
- Follow up actively, especially if your university confirms eligibility (as seen in some Honhaar cases where delays impacted funding)
Step 6: Await Approval and Disbursement
- Approved students receive announcement emails/calls, and possible direct disbursements or university-based stipend distributions.
Step 7: After Receiving Scholarship
- Keep your grades up—some awards require maintaining academic performance.
- Attend orientations, submit required progress reports, and renew annually if needed.
3. Student Experiences & Tips
Students have voiced frustrations about delays and miscommunication. One user reported missing funding despite assurances:
“We were promised 100% tuition fee coverage… but our university is claiming the scholarship only covers 50%… the university is withholding our checks.”
What you can do:
- Raise a query via HEC support.
- Email the Honhaar scholarship team.
- File complaints via the Pakistan Citizen Portal
Additional Advice from Redditors:
“Apply for Punjab Educational Endowment Fund, HEC, Fulbright or Commonwealth.”
And an encouraging reminder:
“Most scholarship providers ask basic details and are granted on merit or financial condition… the real and valid scholarships are only those which have absolutely 0 registration fees.”
4. Summary Table: Punjab Scholarships at a Glance
| Scholarship Program | Level | Fund Type | Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEEF | All levels | Merit & Need | Punjab domicile, academic excellence |
| CMMS (via PEEF) | PhD globally | Fully Funded | PhD admission in top 50 uni |
| Honhaar | Undergraduate | Fully Funded | Age ≤ 22, < PKR 300k/month income |
| PBF | All levels | Modest Grants | Government employee status + merit |
| HED University Awards | Undergraduate | Varies | University-specific |
5. Final Tips for Success
- Start early—deadlines can sneak up quickly.
- Maintain strong academics and prepare a solid case for financial need.
- Organize your documents in advance.
- Apply to multiple programs to increase your chances.
- Stay in touch with scholarship offices or portals for updates.
- Be vocal—if your funding is delayed, report it immediately.
Next Steps:
Choose the scholarship program that aligns with your academic level and background:
- Visit PEEF for options at all levels.
- Apply to your chosen undergraduate university via Honhaar.
- For modest grants, explore the PBF categories.
- Check with the Higher Education Department of Punjab for university-specific offerings.