Scholarships in Pakistan for FSc and Matric Students

Most students believe scholarships only become available after getting into university. That is not true. Scholarships for FSc students and Matric students exist before and during undergraduate study, and the earlier you know about them, the better positioned you are. This guide covers what is available at each stage: board exam performance, FSc, and undergraduate enrollment.

Scholarships for FSc students at the board exam level

Several provincial governments award stipends or lump-sum amounts to top position-holders in Matric and FSc board exams. If you finish in the top 10 or 20 positions in your provincial board, check your provincial education ministry and board website for position-holder scholarship amounts.

• Punjab, Sindh, KPK, and Balochistan boards each have separate position-holder scholarship programs.
• Check your provincial education ministry website and your specific BISE board website for eligibility and amounts.
• Top performers from lower-income backgrounds may qualify for merit-cum-need programs through provincial departments.

Scholarships once you enroll in university

Once admitted to a public university, a wider range of scholarships becomes available. Two HEC programs are the most important for undergraduates from financially constrained backgrounds.

HEC Need-Based Scholarship (NBS)

The HEC NBS provides a monthly stipend to financially deserving undergraduate students at public sector HEC-recognized universities. Apply through your university's financial aid office, not directly to HEC. The application window opens at the start of each academic year and closes quickly. For full details, see our HEC scholarships guide.

Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship

Jointly administered by HEC and BISP, this targets students from low-income families registered under the Ehsaas program. If your family is a BISP beneficiary, apply for this through the HEC scholarship portal at hec.gov.pk/scholarships.

Merit scholarships at private universities

Pakistan's top private universities offer significant merit scholarships to high-performing students who might not otherwise afford fees.

Scholarship policies at private universities change each admission cycle. Visit each university's official financial aid page directly and apply at the same time as your admission application, as many scholarships require a separate form.

Private foundations that fund Pakistani students

Several private foundations offer scholarships independent of HEC or government programs. These are available to both Matric-level and undergraduate students depending on the program.

• NSFP (National Scholarship Program Pakistan): merit-cum-need for undergraduate students.
• Hunar Foundation: focuses on vocational and technical education for lower-income students.
• Aga Khan Education Services: scholarships for students in specific regions, especially Gilgit-Baltistan and interior Sindh.
• SOS Pakistan: education support for vulnerable students.
• Behbud Association and other regional foundations: check for local programs in your city.

How to apply for multiple scholarships at once

There is no rule against applying for multiple scholarships at the same time. In fact, applying to several programs in parallel is the right approach, since each program has its own quota and many applicants are rejected for one program but accepted for another.

1. Prepare a standard document folder: income certificate, family CNIC/B-Form, marksheets, enrollment certificate, and recent utility bills.
2. List all programs you qualify for and note each deadline separately.
3. Apply to HEC programs through hec.gov.pk/scholarships and to university programs through each university's portal.
4. Never pay anyone to help you apply. All legitimate scholarships are free to apply for.
5. Follow up with your university's financial aid office two to three weeks after submission.

Prepare for your entry test to qualify for merit scholarships on Parhlai