Phase IV (2026): Apply by 9 November 2026
Registration for Honhaar Scholarship Phase IV is open. The last date to apply online is 9 November 2026. For the first time, students already in their 2nd semester/year or later at public sector institutions can also apply.
- Coverage: 100% tuition fee, paid to your institution
- Who: Punjab domicile, selected disciplines, no age or gender limit
- Income limit: below Rs350,000/month (public) or Rs500,000/month (federal/private)
- Apply at: honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk
- Help desk: 042-99231903, 042-99231904, honhaar@punjabhec.gov.pk
Last verified: 31 October 2026 on the official portal.
Minimum Marks for Phase IV
| Institution | 1st semester/year (Sciences / Arts) | 2nd semester onward (Sciences / Arts) |
|---|---|---|
| Public sector universities / colleges | 70% / 65% | 70% / 65% |
| MBBS / BDS (public medical and dental colleges) | 80% | 60% |
| Federal and partner private universities | 70% / 65% | Not eligible |
| HED colleges | 65% / 60% | 70% / 65% |
1st semester merit is calculated as 30% Matric + 70% Intermediate marks. 2nd semester onward uses GPA/CGPA or annual exam percentage.
How to Apply Online (Step by Step)
- Open honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk and click Apply Now.
- Create your account and fill in your personal details.
- Add your educational details: Matric and Intermediate marks, university and discipline.
- Fill in the socio-economic details and upload the income affidavit on e-stamp paper.
- Check everything and submit before 9 November 2026.
Keep ready: CNIC/B-Form, Punjab domicile, Matric and Intermediate result cards, university registration number and the income affidavit.
What Is the Honhaar Scholarship Program?
The Honhaar Scholarship Program is a flagship Punjab Government initiative for bright students who cannot easily afford higher education. It supports students enrolled in public sector universities, graduate colleges and medical and dental colleges across the province.
The idea is simple: a student who has earned a place on merit should be able to study without the stress of paying semester fees. By taking that burden away, the program lets students put their full attention on their studies and their future careers.
The Program in Numbers
When the program was announced, the government set out an ambitious long-term plan:
- 30,000 scholarships every year for students in 68 disciplines at launch.
- Rs. 130 billion to be spent on scholarships over the next eight years.
- In the first phase (four years), around 120,000 students are expected to benefit.
The program has since grown. The Punjab Government's official page for the 2025 round lists 70 disciplines and a target of 50,000 scholarships, covering 50 public sector universities, 13 medical and dental colleges and 359 graduate colleges.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Selected students receive 100% of their tuition fee. The scholarship is awarded purely on merit and is not gender-specific, so male and female students compete on equal terms.
Eligibility Criteria (2025 Round)
According to the official criteria published for the 2025 round, a student must:
- Hold a Punjab domicile.
- Have a family monthly income below Rs. 300,000 (an affidavit on E-Stamp paper is required).
- Be enrolled in an eligible discipline in the 1st or 2nd semester at a public university or college, or in the first year at a public medical or dental college.
- Meet the minimum Intermediate (FSc/FA) marks:
- 70% for science subjects
- 65% for arts and social sciences
- 80% for medical and dental colleges
Merit is calculated as 30% Matric + 70% Intermediate marks.
Note: criteria can change with each new round. Always confirm the latest rules on the official HED Punjab portal or with your university's financial aid office before applying.
How to Apply
- Check that your discipline and institution are on the eligible list.
- Apply through the official portal honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk. Phase IV closes on 9 November 2026.
- Prepare your CNIC/B-Form, domicile, Matric and Intermediate result cards, enrolment proof and the income affidavit on E-Stamp paper.
- Submit before the deadline and keep a copy of your application.
The program is completely free. Do not pay anyone who promises to "register" you, and only use official government websites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last date to apply for Honhaar Scholarship Phase IV?
The last date for online applications is 9 November 2026, according to the official portal honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk.
Who can apply for Honhaar Scholarship 2026?
Students with a Punjab domicile in selected disciplines. Phase IV covers 1st semester/year students (Fall 2026) at selected public, federal and partner private institutions, and 2nd semester/year onward students at public universities, public medical and dental colleges and HED colleges.
What is the income limit for Honhaar Scholarship?
Monthly family income must be below Rs350,000 for public sector institutions and below Rs500,000 for federal or private institutions. An income affidavit on e-stamp paper is required.
What marks are needed for Honhaar Scholarship?
For 1st semester students: at least 70% (Sciences) or 65% (Arts) in Intermediate for public and private universities, 80% for MBBS/BDS, and 65%/60% for HED colleges. Merit is 30% Matric and 70% Intermediate.
Does Honhaar Scholarship cover hostel or living costs?
No. It covers 100% of the tuition fee, paid directly to the institution.
Is there any fee to apply?
No. Applying is free and is done online only through the official portal.
Why It Matters
The Honhaar Scholarship Program is a major step towards equal access to higher education in Punjab. It rewards hard work, keeps talented students in universities, and helps build the skilled workforce the province needs for the future.
Students who qualify may also want to check the CM Punjab Laptop Program, which provides free laptops to high-achieving students.