Quick answer (updated 28 October 2026): For undergraduate students at public universities such as IUB and BZU, the two main HEC programmes are the HEC Need-Based Scholarship (university fees plus a Rs 6,000 monthly stipend for the complete programme, per HEC) and BISP Scholarships for Undergraduates (former Ehsaas; tuition fee as per actual plus Rs 40,000 per year, per HEC). Both are need-based, exclude self-finance admissions, and are applied for through your university’s Financial Aid Office. HEC also runs PhD and overseas scholarships, whose terms change with each call — check hec.gov.pk.
Table of contents (11)
- HEC Need-Based Scholarship — key facts
- BISP Scholarships for Undergraduates (former Ehsaas) — key facts
- Other scholarships to check
- HEC Scholarships Pakistan 2026 — Complete Program List
- HEC Need-Based UGSP Scholarship 2026 — Most Important for Students
- HEC Indigenous PhD Fellowship 2026 — For Research Students
- HEC Overseas PhD Scholarship 2026 — Study Abroad Fully Funded
- PEEF Scholarship 2026 — Punjab Students
- How to Apply for HEC Scholarships Pakistan 2026 — Step by Step
- FAQ — HEC Scholarships Pakistan 2026
- Conclusion
Source: HEC Need-Based Scholarship eligibility page and BISP Scholarships for Undergraduates pages (hec.gov.pk). Checked 28 Oct 2026.
HEC Need-Based Scholarship — key facts
- Who: students in 4–5 year undergraduate programmes at HEC-selected public sector universities and degree-awarding institutions; both new and already-enrolled students in financial need can apply.
- Need: assessed by the university’s Institutional Scholarship Award Committee from the family’s financial background.
- Not eligible: students admitted on self-finance.
- Support: university fees plus Rs 6,000 stipend per month for the complete programme (full duration for five-year programmes such as Medicine and Pharm-D).
- Seats: set by each university according to the year’s budget.
- Apply: submit the complete application to the Financial Aid Office of your university.
More: HEC need-based scholarship guide.
BISP Scholarships for Undergraduates (former Ehsaas) — key facts
- Who: newly admitted, merit-admitted undergraduate students at HEC-recognised public sector universities who meet the need criteria.
- Not eligible: holders of any other scholarship; distance learning; affiliated colleges; self-finance or higher-fee evening programmes; associate, Master’s and BA/BSc programmes.
- Support: semester tuition fee as per actual plus Rs 40,000 per year.
- Apply: online at ehsaas.hec.gov.pk, then hard copy to the university’s Financial Aid Office.
More: IUB Ehsaas (BISP) scholarship guide.
Other scholarships to check
HEC also offers PhD (indigenous and overseas) scholarships and country partnerships whose amounts, age limits and test requirements change with each call — always read the current advertisement on hec.gov.pk. Punjab students can also look at PEEF scholarships.
FAQ — HEC Scholarships Pakistan 2026
What is the HEC need-based scholarship amount in 2026?
According to HEC’s eligibility page, the HEC Need-Based Scholarship pays university fees plus a stipend of Rs 6,000 per month for the complete programme. The BISP (former Ehsaas) undergraduate scholarship pays tuition as per actual plus Rs 40,000 per year.
Can I apply for HEC scholarship after starting university?
For the HEC Need-Based Scholarship, yes — HEC says students already enrolled in participating institutions may apply if they are in financial need. The BISP (former Ehsaas) undergraduate scholarship is for newly admitted students.
Is NSER registration required for all HEC scholarships?
HEC’s eligibility pages for the need-based and BISP undergraduate scholarships assess need from family income and assets submitted with the form; they do not state a general NSER requirement. Check the current call for any such condition.
What is the difference between HEC scholarship and PEEF scholarship?
HEC scholarships are funded by the federal government and available to students across all provinces. PEEF scholarships are funded by Punjab provincial government and available only to Punjab domicile holders. You may apply to both, but some programmes (for example, the BISP undergraduate scholarship) do not allow holding another scholarship at the same time, so check each programme’s rules before accepting.
Conclusion
For undergraduates at public universities, the HEC Need-Based Scholarship (fees + Rs 6,000/month) and the BISP undergraduate scholarship (tuition + Rs 40,000/year) are the main HEC options; both are applied for through your university’s Financial Aid Office. For university-specific guides, see IUB Ehsaas Scholarship and IUB Khushi Scholarship. Last Updated: 28 October 2026.
