Scholarships for Pakistani Students 2026: Fully Funded and Partial Programs

Types of Scholarships for Pakistani Students

Scholarships for Pakistani students fall into three categories: fully funded (cover tuition, living, travel, and health insurance), partially funded (cover tuition only or a fixed amount), and need-based (based on family income rather than grades). Most fully funded scholarships are highly competitive with 1-5% acceptance rates. Your best chance is to apply to multiple scholarship programs in the same cycle.

Fulbright Scholarship (USA)

The Fulbright Program offers fully funded scholarships for Pakistani students to pursue MS and PhD in the United States. Covers full tuition, airfare, living stipend, health insurance, and visa fees. Fields: all disciplines except clinical medicine. Requires 16 years of education, strong academic record, IELTS 6.5+, and GRE. Deadline: typically April-May for the following year. Application through the USEFP (United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan).

Commonwealth Scholarship (UK)

Commonwealth Scholarships are for MS and PhD at UK universities. Fully funded — tuition, airfare, living allowance, and warm clothing allowance. Requires Pakistani citizenship, a bachelor's degree with 75%+, and IELTS 6.5+. Fields: priority to development-related subjects. Deadline: November-December. Apply through the HEC portal.

DAAD Scholarship (Germany)

DAAD offers scholarships for Pakistani students at all levels — MS, PhD, and research visits. Monthly stipend: EUR 934 (PKR 280,000) plus travel, health insurance, and research costs. For MS: 16 years of education required. For PhD: master's degree. DAAD also funds German language courses. Deadline: varies by program — usually August-October.

Turkiye Burslari (Turkey)

Turkiye Burslari is one of the most generous scholarship programs. Covers full tuition, monthly stipend (TRY 3,500-6,000 depending on level), accommodation, health insurance, and one-year Turkish language course. Open for bachelor's, master's, and PhD. Deadline: February-March. Application through turkiyeburslari.gov.tr.

HEC Scholarships (Local and Abroad)

HEC offers multiple programs: HEC Indigenous Scholarship for MS/PhD at Pakistani universities (PKR 50,000-100,000/month + tuition). HEC MS Leading to PhD — supports students at top Pakistani universities and can include a visiting research period abroad. HEC Overseas Scholarship — fully funded for PhD at partner universities abroad. Check the HEC website (hec.gov.pk) regularly for announcements.

Local Need-Based Scholarships

• PEEF (Punjab Education Endowment Fund): PKR 30,000-200,000/year for Punjab domicile students
• PAFLA (Pakistan Foundation for the Advancement of Learning & Education): need-based for undergraduate students
• University-specific financial aid: LUMS NOP (National Outreach Program), GIKI need-based, AKU financial aid
• Zakat-based scholarships from organisations like Saylani and Edhi