Scholarship Opportunities in Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the countries with the enormous potential amongst the students for higher education but being a developing nation, the student often faces financial constraints that hinder their goals for a higher education.
It is dream come true for students to start their careers in shaping up a bright future for themselves by gaining formal degree in the said disciplines. Pakistan being a country with more than 60 percent of the youth below the age of 35 makes it a hefty competition in terms of getting shortlisted.
We will go over some scholarship opportunities that will help you provide a perspective.
Undergraduate Scholarships
There are enormous opportunities for students who have just graduated from high schools and thinking of funding their Bachelor studies in Pakistan and abroad. The prestigious institution of Pakistan, the Higher Education Commission supports indigenous students of Pakistan in helping them financing their studies from various national and international donors.
The Government of Pakistan has started its undergraduate bursaries under the Ehsaas Scholarship Program to all the students enrolled in university programs recognized by the Higher Education Comission.
The Lahore University of Management Science (LUMS) has started its National Outreach Program (NOP) for their undergraduate programs for students with a prodigious score in the SATs.
The Institute of Business Administration Karachi (IBA) has previously launched its National Talent Hunt Program for undergraduate studies which has successfully inducted many students across the country.
Need Based Scholarships
The students who are unable to finance their studies still stand a chance at a formal education at one of the prestigious institutions at Pakistan. Here’s a list of institutions who fund such students who are unable to support their education.
1. Bait ul Maal Scholarship
Bait ul Maal Need Based Scholarship has been contributing towards the poverty alleviation through its bursaries towards designated people of Pakistan as per the eligibility criteria laid down the Board.
2. PEEF Scholarship
PEEF (Punjab Educational Endowment Fund) is an indigenous scholarship started by Punjab Government for undergraduate and inter studies. This bursary has a special quota for orphans and underprivileged students.
3. Pakistan Science Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship regularly announces 300 bursaries under worth Rs. 10000 on monthly basis under the Science Talent Farming scheme.
4. USAID Scholarship
USAID Scholarship, under the office of USEFP, funds students to continue their studies at designated Institutions across Pakistan.
5. COMSATS Scholarship Under Labor Quota
Punjab Workers Welfare Board (PWWB) offers scholarship all the laborers and miners for single degree program at COMSATS Lahore. The donor for this stipend is the Labor Department under the Punjab Government.
6. Ihsan Trust
Ihsan Trust aims to uplift the underprivileged communities of Pakistan by offering financial assistance to those who show distinction in their studies.
Merit Based Scholarships
Pakistani students are amongst the outperforming individuals and dedicated merit based financial assistance is imperative for a successful career. Most educational institutes often provide merit scholarship for top performing students in different programs at university.
Here are few merit-based scholarships given below:
1. LUMS National Outreach Program
2. USAID
3. Aga Khan Foundation
4. Ministry of Religious Affairs MORA Scholarship for minorities
5. Sindh Talent Hunt Program
6. Shahbaz Sharif Merit Scholarship for Masters Students
7. Edcon Asia Scholarship Program
Student Loans
There are limited yet good opportunities for student loans in Pakistan. Study loans come handy when pursuing for a higher education for achieving professional degrees. The government of Pakistan has launched a Student Loan Scheme in association with major banks in Pakistan. This program is administered by the National Bank of Pakistan alongside its partners HBL, UBL MCB and ABL.
The applicants are entitled to a loan that spans 10 years and the installments begin a year after graduation when an employment is secured. The eligibility criteria for this loan is atleast 70% marks in the last given exams. Other than the academic record, the student must be enrolled in the designated universities who are approved for this Study Loan Scheme, preferably public sector universities.
Nevertheless, there are some other institutions who offer financial aid in form of student loans.
1. Alkhidmat Foundation
2. Akhuwat Foundation
3. Professional Education Fund
4. Ihsan Trust
10 Best Fully Funded Scholarships in Pakistan
Financing your higher education surely puts a dent into your savings and most of the students do not get to purse their professional education due to financial constraints.
Pakistan, a country where the total expenditure on higher education as a percentage of its total GDP is 2.4%, which is termed as the lowest in the region as outlined by the Economic Survey (2018–2019).
With over 3 million students enrolled at higher education institutes, the need to finance the education is highly imperative to develop a professional workforce for the nation.
Here’s a list of 10 fully funded scholarships in Pakistan.
1. National Outreach Program by LUMS ()
One of the best higher education institutes with an eye to attract the best talent in the country, the Lahore University of Management Sciences has started its National Outreach Program in the year 2001 and has inducted over 1200 students in its undergraduate programs. This is a fully funded scholarship bestowed to students having exceptional grades in their SATs.
2. Colaraz
Colaraz is committed to provide scholarships for Pakistani students, not entirely based upon academics, but also fulfilling a unique criterion of completing certain milestones by becoming and active community leader. Students who show and active purpose of guide are facilitated through these bursaries to alleviate the financial burden.
3. National Talent Hunt Program by IBA Karachi
IBA is ranked amongst one of the best business and management institutes across Pakistan. The NTHP aims to attract students with exceptionally good grades from underprivileged backgrounds, to get a chance to pursue their higher education.
4. Aga Khan University
The Aga Khan University offers full financial aid towards students on a need blind basis. The financial assistance is in the form of interest free student loans and grants with a nominal administrative cost per annum usually about 5%.
5. Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute
GIKI is one of the great institutes for science and technology. It offers a full waiver in forms of interest free loans. The loans are easily repayable and start after one year of graduation with easy installments.
6. Chartered Accountant Talent Program
This fully funded scholarship is awarded by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan to deserving candidates to fund their professional education through their RAETs.
7. Pakistan Scottish Scholarship Scheme
This financial aid is provided by the Scottish Government to deserving young females from underprivileged backgrounds. The bursaries are administered by the British Council Pakistan and directly given to the universities.
8. Science and Talent Farming Scheme for Undergraduate by HEC Pakistan
Through this scholarship, the main objective is to attract the talent of young students and individuals who have an aptitude in science and mathematics and relevant sub-disciplines.
9. United World Colleges Pakistan
The United World Colleges is an education movement that comprises of an international coalition that seeks out young leaders and change makers for a better future. This is a great opportunity for young community leaders who aspire to bring positive change around the world.
10. AJK State Talent Scholarship
This prestigious bursary is intended for students enrolled in the undergraduate programs announced by the Government of AJK in any government or private institute in the state of AJK.
