The Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Program is a groundbreaking social protection and poverty alleviation initiative launched by the Government of Pakistan. It represents a fundamental shift in policy by focusing substantial financial aid on the critical undergraduate level, recognizing that education beyond Intermediate is the most effective pathway out of poverty. Unlike past schemes primarily aimed at postgraduate students, the Ehsaas program directly targets young students who have secured admission to top universities on merit but are hindered by limited financial resources.
This massive program, executed in partnership with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), aims to dramatically improve access to higher education for students from the most deserving, low-income segments of society. It specifically prioritizes demographic equity, ensuring that 50% of the scholarships are reserved for female students and a dedicated percentage is allocated to students with disabilities and those from marginalized regions. By removing the financial barrier of tuition and living costs, the scholarship is creating a more equitable playing field and fostering a new generation of competent professionals.
The scholarship is highly competitive and is awarded strictly on the basis of need and academic merit, assessed rigorously by Institutional Scholarship Award Committees (ISAC) at participating public universities. Students seeking to benefit from this opportunity must meticulously meet all the declared criteria, follow the dual application process (online and hard copy submission), and maintain satisfactory academic performance throughout their degree to ensure the continuation of the grant.
Scholarship Types
While “Ehsaas” is an overarching term for Pakistan’s social safety net program, the most prominent educational component is the Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship Project (formerly known as the Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship Program), managed by the HEC.
- Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship (Needs-Based): This is the flagship scholarship, providing comprehensive financial support to students enrolled in 4-5 year undergraduate degree programs in public sector universities based on proven financial need and academic merit.
- Special Category Provisions: Within the undergraduate program, dedicated quotas are often reserved to ensure specific marginalized groups receive support:
- Female Students: 50% of all scholarships are reserved for female candidates to promote gender equity in higher education.
- Students with Disabilities: A percentage of the awards is reserved for physically challenged students.
- Regional Allocations: Special attention is given to students from less developed and remote regions, reflecting the program’s goal of equal opportunity nationwide.
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Scholarship Eligible Programs and Degrees
The scholarship is specifically designed for long-term degree programs that significantly boost an individual’s earning potential.
| Category | Eligibility | Ineligibility (Programs Excluded) |
|---|---|---|
| Institution | HEC-recognized Public Sector Universities (Federal and Provincial). | Private sector universities, affiliated colleges (public or private), and constituent colleges with separate fee structures. |
| Level | Undergraduate (BS/B.Sc/B.E/MBBS/BDS etc.) of 4 or 5 years duration. | Master’s, MPhil, PhD, and two-year post-higher secondary programs (e.g., BA/BSc, Associate Degrees). |
| Enrollment Status | Students newly admitted (freshmen) in the current academic session or those in their first/second semester. | Students enrolled in lateral entry (e.g., 5th semester after an Associate Degree). |
| Program Mode | Regular, full-time, Morning Programs only. | Self-sustain, Self-support, Self-finance, or Evening Programs with a higher fee structure; Distant learning programs. |
| Disciplines | All major fields are covered, including: Engineering, Medical & Health Sciences, Agriculture, Arts & Humanities, Business Education, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences. | N/A |
Scholarship Coverage
The Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship provides comprehensive financial coverage for the entire duration of the program (4 or 5 years), subject to the scholar maintaining satisfactory academic performance (usually a specific minimum CGPA).
- Full Tuition Fee: The scholarship covers 100% of the university tuition fee for all semesters up to the completion of the degree.
- Annual Stipend: A fixed annual stipend is provided to cover costs such as books, accommodation, travel, and other living expenses. This amount is disbursed annually (or semester-wise, depending on the university). The standard monthly stipend value is often cited as PKR 4,000, paid out for 12 months annually.
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Scholarship Requirements (Eligibility)
The selection process is need-cum-merit based. These four Key requirements include:
- Academic Merit: Candidates must have secured admission into a degree program based strictly on the university’s official merit criteria.
- Income Threshold: The combined, declared monthly income of the parent/guardian must not exceed PKR 45,000/- (Rupees Forty-Five Thousand only) from all sources.
- Age Limit: The applicant must meet the maximum age limit criteria set by the respective university for admission to the undergraduate program.
- No Dual Availment: The student must not be a recipient of any other scholarship, grant, or financial aid from any government or private source.
- Citizenship: The applicant must be a Pakistani national. Check here the complete eligibilty criteria.
Application Process and Required Documents
The application requires a two-step submission process:
Step 1: Online Submission
- Registration: Visit the official HEC scholarship portal (link below). If you are a first-time user, create an account using your CNIC/B-Form number.
- Form Completion: Fill in the extensive online application form with accurate details about your personal, family, and financial background, including monthly expenses and assets.
- Submission: Review the form for any errors and ensure you Submit the application online before the deadline.
Step 2: Hard Copy Submission (MANDATORY)
After submitting the online form, you must print it and attach a comprehensive set of documentary proofs to the university’s Financial Aid Office (FAO). Incomplete applications are rejected.
Mandatory Documents Checklist:
- Printout of the fully submitted online application form.
- Copy of Applicant’s Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) or B-Form.
- Copies of CNIC for Father, Mother, or Guardian.
- Official Salary Slip or Income Certificate of the Father/Guardian/Mother (official slip for salaried employees; an Income Certificate on stamp paper for daily-wage earners or shopkeepers).
- Copies of the last six months’ Utility Bills (Electricity, Gas, Water).
- Copy of the Rent Agreement (if living in a rented house).
- Copies of the last Fee Receipts for the applicant and siblings (if applicable).
- Copies of Medical bills/expenditure related documents (if applicable).
- One Passport-size Photograph of the Applicant.
- Pictures of the family residence (front elevation/inside views).
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(Note: The application portal opens and closes based on the academic year’s notification. If the portal is currently closed, please regularly check the HEC website or your university’s FAO for the official announcement of the next application cycle.)
