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Honhaar Scholarship 2026: Eligibility, Marks, Documents and How to Apply

Phase IV of the CM Punjab Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship pays full tuition for selected degrees. Applications close on 9 November 2026. Here is what you need, in plain terms.

By CDLBM Team · Lahore · Updated 3 November 2026

For many families in Punjab, the hardest part of a university degree is not getting admission. It is paying the fee every semester for four or five years. The CM Punjab Honhaar Scholarship Programme was created to remove that barrier: it pays the full tuition fee directly for merit-selected students in selected disciplines at public universities, colleges, medical and dental colleges, and a number of partner federal and private universities.

The 2026 round, widely reported as Phase IV, opened in October and covers two groups: students who started their degree in Fall 2026, and students already studying at eligible public-sector institutions. The deadline is 9 November 2026, so if you think you qualify, do not wait.

What the Honhaar Scholarship covers

The scholarship covers the tuition fee of an undergraduate degree for its full duration, subject to the programme’s rules on continuing performance. It does not cover hostel or transport charges. According to the Higher Education Department, the programme awards 30,000 scholarships a year across more than 60 “future-proof” disciplines, with about 120,000 students expected to benefit over the first four years. The 2026 round has been advertised with 50,000 new scholarships, and the Punjab government proposed Rs 33.25 billion for the programme in its FY 2026–27 budget.

Meeting the minimum marks does not guarantee a scholarship. Selection is on merit, after document verification, within the number of awards available.

Who is eligible: new students (Fall 2026)

• Domicile of any district of Punjab.
• Enrolled in the 1st semester or 1st year of a selected discipline at a selected university or college in 2026. Students in the 1st year of MBBS or BDS in 2026 are also eligible.
• Monthly family income below Rs 350,000 for public-sector institutions, or below Rs 500,000 for partner federal and private institutions.
• No age limit, and the scheme is open to both male and female students.

Minimum Intermediate marks (new students)

Thresholds as reported from the PHEC portal and university notices for the 2026 round. Merit is calculated with Matric at 30% and Intermediate at 70%. Always confirm the exact figure for your programme on the official portal before applying.

Who is eligible: students already enrolled

Students in their 2nd semester or later can apply if they study at a selected public-sector university, HED college, or public medical or dental college (private universities are not included in this category), hold a Punjab domicile, and have a family income below Rs 350,000 a month. Universities report a requirement of roughly 70% equivalent for science and 65% equivalent for arts, and 60% in annual examinations for medical and dental students. Final-semester students may also apply if they meet the other conditions.

Who should not apply

• Students without a Punjab domicile.
• Students at private or affiliated colleges that are not on the programme list.
• Students already receiving a fee waiver or financial support from another government body, university or college.

Documents you will need

• CNIC (front and back) — register with your own CNIC.
• Matric and Intermediate certificates (O/A-Level students: IBCC equivalence certificates).
• Punjab domicile certificate (or the domicile application slip if it is still in process).
• Family income affidavit on e-stamp paper (Rs 50 or more), using the sample affidavit provided on the portal.
• A recent photograph.
• University or college enrolment details (roll number, department, semester).

How to apply online: step by step

1. Open the official portal, honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk, and select Register.
2. Read the eligibility section and check that your institution and discipline are on the list. Download the sample affidavit.
3. Fill in your personal, academic and family income details exactly as they appear on your documents.
4. Upload your documents as clear scans.
5. Review the form, press Submit and note your application ID. Saving the form is not the same as submitting it.
6. Check your email (including spam) and the portal for updates. For problems after submission, contact your university’s Honhaar focal person.

There is no application fee and no hard copy is required. Beware of anyone who asks for money to “process” your Honhaar application.

After the scholarship: skills that make a degree work harder

A degree opens doors, but employers and freelance clients increasingly ask what you can do. Many Honhaar scholars pair their degree with short, practical courses in AI tools, digital marketing, e-commerce and freelancing. At CDLBM in Gulberg II, Lahore, our best short courses in Lahore are built for exactly that, including the AI for Everyone course and the freelancing course in Lahore.

If you are not eligible for Honhaar, or are not at university yet, free government training is another route. The PM Youth Skills Development Programme, delivered with NAVTTC, offers free courses through registered institutes. Read our guides to NAVTTC admissions 2027 and the best digital skills after Matric.

CDLBM (Centre for Digital Literacy & Business Management) is a NAVTTC-registered institute at UHE Campus, Gulberg II, Lahore. CDLBM is chaired by Rizwan Anwar, PhD scholar and Special Representative to the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. This guide is for information only; CDLBM is not part of the Honhaar Scholarship administration. Always confirm details on the official portal.