The Honhaar Scholarship Program is Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s flagship higher-education scheme for Punjab, covering 100% of tuition fees for eligible undergraduate students for the full duration of their degree. If you hold a Punjab domicile and got into an approved university or college in 2026, this guide explains the eligibility rules, merit cutoffs, income limits, documents, and exactly how to apply online — and how to spot the scammers exploiting this scheme.
Quick Answer
The CM Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship Program 2026 gives Punjab-domiciled undergraduates enrolled in Fall 2026 100% tuition fee coverage for their full degree (4–5 years), paid directly to the institution. Merit cutoffs are 70% (science) / 65% (arts) at public universities, 80% for MBBS/BDS, and merit is calculated as 30% Matric + 70% Intermediate. Family income must be under Rs 350,000/month (public sector) or Rs 500,000/month (federal/private). Applications are free and online only at honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk — never pay any “agent”. (Cross-check the deadline on the official site before applying.)
What Is the Honhaar Scholarship Program?
The Honhaar Scholarship Program — officially the Chief Minister’s Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship — is run by the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC). It is Punjab’s largest merit-based undergraduate scholarship scheme, launched under CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s “Year of Youth” education agenda.
The core promise is simple: if you are a high-achieving Punjab student who got into an approved institution, the government pays your entire tuition fee so family income does not force you to drop out.
Key program facts at a glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Official name | CM Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship |
| Run by | Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) |
| What it covers | 100% of defined tuition fee, paid directly to your institution |
| Degree duration covered | Full undergraduate program (4–5 years) |
| Not covered | Boarding, lodging, and transport costs |
| Disciplines | 70 selected disciplines across universities and colleges |
| 2026 cycle scholarships | 50,000 new scholarships announced |
| Portal opened | 19 October 2026 |
| Application deadline | 9 November 2026 (online only, no hard copy) |
| Registration fee | Zero — completely free |
Who Is Eligible for the Honhaar Scholarship 2026?
Eligibility is a five-part test. You must satisfy all of these:
1. Punjab domicile
You must hold a valid domicile of Punjab province. Students from other provinces or territories cannot apply, even if they study in Punjab.
2. Correct enrollment status
- New Fall 2026 entrants: enrolled in the 1st semester/year of a selected discipline at an approved university or college in 2026.
- MBBS/BDS: students enrolled in the 1st year of MBBS or BDS in 2026 are also eligible.
- Continuing students: students in the 2nd semester/year onward in selected disciplines at public-sector universities, medical/dental colleges, or HED colleges can also apply, subject to minimum GPA/CGPA or annual-percentage criteria (a parallel published scale — e.g. public-sector continuing students need 70% science / 65% arts, and MBBS/BDS students 60%).
3. Merit cutoff (Intermediate/FSc marks)
Your Intermediate (or FSc) percentage must meet the cutoff for your institution category:
| Institution category | Science minimum | Arts minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Public sector universities / HEIs | 70% | 65% |
| Public MBBS / BDS (medical & dental colleges) | 80% | — |
| Federal & private universities / HEIs | 70% | 65% |
| HED government colleges | 65% | 60% |
Final selection is purely merit-based. The merit formula is 30% of Matric marks + 70% of Intermediate marks. Continuing students are assessed on GPA/annual percentage against a parallel published scale.
4. Family income limit
- Public sector institutions: monthly family income below Rs 350,000.
- Federal or private institutions: monthly family income below Rs 500,000.
You must support the income declaration with an affidavit on e-stamp paper.
5. No other major aid (exclusivity)
Third-party guides report you cannot receive Honhaar alongside other government aid such as BISP/Ehsaas or PEEF — confirm the current rule on the official portal before applying. You must also maintain satisfactory academic performance (guides cite a minimum CGPA, typically around 2.5–3.0, as set in the offer terms) to keep the scholarship each year.
There is no age limit and the scheme is gender-neutral — male and female students compete on the same merit basis.
How to Apply for Honhaar Scholarship 2026: Step-by-Step
The application is online only through the official PHEC portal. There is no paper form and no application fee. Follow these steps:
- Open the official portal: go to honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk in your browser. Type the address yourself or use a bookmark — do not click links sent by strangers on WhatsApp or Facebook.
- Register: click New Registration / Apply Now and sign up with your CNIC or B-Form (no spaces), a mobile number, and an email address. You will receive an OTP to verify your account.
- Complete your profile: fill in personal details (home address, parent’s occupation), educational details (Matric and Intermediate marks), and socio-economic information.
- Upload documents: attach clear, readable scans of the required documents (see checklist below).
- Review everything: editing after submission is restricted — double-check names, marks, and the income affidavit before you submit.
- Submit and save your tracking ID: submitting generates a trackable application ID. Save it; use it to check your application status on the portal dashboard, which shows verification and merit-list progress.
Documents checklist
- CNIC or B-Form (scanned copy)
- Punjab domicile certificate
- Matric and Intermediate result cards / transcripts
- Admission or enrollment proof for Fall 2026 (or current year for continuing students)
- Income affidavit on e-stamp paper
- Passport-size photograph
- Confirm the complete current list on the official portal — requirements are updated per cycle
How to Check Honhaar Scholarship Application Status
Log in to honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk with your registered CNIC and password. Your dashboard shows real-time updates on:
- Document verification
- Institute endorsement (your university/college confirming your enrollment)
- Final merit-list standing
Results are announced through the official portal dashboard; keep your registered mobile number and email active for any alerts.
⚠️ Honhaar Scholarship Scams: Protect Yourself
Because Honhaar is free, popular, and high-value, scam “agents” and fake portals target students every cycle. The rules that protect you:
- The application is 100% free. Anyone asking for a “processing fee,” “registration fee,” or payment to “secure” your scholarship is a scammer.
- Apply only on the official .gov.pk portal. Fake websites with lookalike names collect fees and steal personal data. Always type honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk yourself or navigate from punjabhec.gov.pk.
- No one can guarantee you a scholarship. Selection is by published merit formula. An “agent” who promises a confirmed award for money is lying.
- Beware Gmail/Hotmail contact emails. Official correspondence comes from official .gov.pk addresses — the published help desk is honhaar@punjabhec.gov.pk, 042-99231903, 042-99231904.
- Never share CNIC photos, OTPs, or bank details with unofficial WhatsApp groups or Facebook pages.
- Cross-check deadlines on the official portal — scammers create fake urgency (“last chance today!”) to rush you.
If someone has already taken money from you, report them through the PHEC help desk and the NCCIA cybercrime helpline 1991.
Honhaar vs Other Punjab Student Schemes
Students often confuse Honhaar with other programs. Quick distinctions:
- Honhaar vs CM Laptop Scheme: Honhaar pays tuition fees; the Laptop Scheme gives merit students free laptops. Different programs, separate applications.
- Honhaar vs E-Bike Scheme: the student electric-bike scheme distributes bikes — not money or fee coverage — and runs through its own portal and rules.
- Honhaar vs PEEF: PEEF is a separate scholarship body; guides report you generally cannot hold both — confirm on the official portal.
- Honhaar vs federal scholarships: federal programs (HEC need-based, Ehsaas) are separate from this Punjab government scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is the Honhaar Scholarship 2026 real?
Yes. It is a genuine Punjab government program administered by the Punjab Higher Education Commission under CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Always confirm details on the official .gov.pk portal.
Q2: What is the last date to apply for the Honhaar Scholarship 2026?
The online application deadline is 9 November 2026 — cross-check it on the official portal before the deadline, as unofficial sites sometimes cite conflicting dates.
Q3: What does the Honhaar scholarship cover — and what doesn’t it?
It covers 100% of the defined tuition fee for your full degree, paid directly to your institution. Boarding, lodging, and transport costs are not covered.
Q4: What are the minimum marks needed?
For new entrants: public universities 70% (science) / 65% (arts); MBBS/BDS 80%; federal/private 70% / 65%; HED colleges 65% / 60%. Merit is computed as 30% Matric + 70% Intermediate.
Q5: What is the family income limit?
Below Rs 350,000/month for public-sector institutions and below Rs 500,000/month for federal/private institutions, supported by an income affidavit on e-stamp paper.
Q6: Can students from outside Punjab apply?
No. A valid Punjab domicile is mandatory.
Q7: Is there any application fee?
No. Applying is completely free — never pay anyone.
Q8: How will I know if I am selected?
Check your application status by logging into the official portal with your CNIC and password; the dashboard shows verification, institute endorsement, and merit-list standing.