Scholarships

CM Maryam Nawaz Honhaar Scholarship 2026: How Punjab’s Students Can Win Full Tuition Support in Phase IV

Punjab’s largest undergraduate scholarship is open again, and this round welcomes students already well into their degree alongside new admissions. The deadline is 9 November 2026.

By the YRC Media Team  |  November 2026

For many families in Punjab, the hardest part of university is not the entry test. It is the fee voucher that arrives every semester. The CM Maryam Nawaz Honhaar Scholarship, launched by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and run by the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), was created to remove that barrier for students who have earned their place on merit. Its fourth phase is now open.

The scale of the programme is significant. The Higher Education Department, Punjab describes a commitment of about Rs130 billion in scholarships over eight years. The Government of the Punjab set out 50,000 scholarships for the 2025 round, spread across 50 public sector universities, 13 public medical and dental colleges and 359 graduate colleges, in 70 selected disciplines. By August 2025 the Chief Minister said 80,000 students had been supported, as ARY News and Gulf News reported.

The scholarships continue to be handed out across the province. On 27 October 2026, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz distributed Honhaar scholarships and laptops to students in Mandi Bahauddin, as Radio Pakistan reported. According to Pakistan Observer, scholarships were awarded that day to 15 medical college students and 368 college students in the district under the CM Punjab Honhaar Scholarship Programme.

What Is Different About Phase IV

Earlier rounds were aimed at students in their first year. Phase IV widens the door. According to the Islamia University of Bahawalpur’s official notice, new Fall 2026 admissions apply on the basis of their Matriculation and Intermediate marks, while students who are already enrolled apply on the basis of their latest CGPA. ProPakistani reports the same: the phase covers Fall 2026 starters and eligible students already studying at selected public sector institutions.

That change matters. A student who missed the first round because of timing, or whose family circumstances have changed, now has a second chance.

Who Qualifies

The rules vary by institution type and by whether you are a new or continuing student, so treat the summary below as a guide and confirm your own category on the official portal. These are the criteria published by the Government of the Punjab.

If you are still in FSc, FA or ICS, Honhaar is not yet for you. The scholarship supports students who have already been admitted to a degree programme. The best preparation is strong Intermediate marks and admission to an eligible discipline.

What You Need Before You Start

Most failed applications fail on paperwork, not merit. Gather these before you open the form:

• Your CNIC (or B-Form, if the portal asks for it)
• Matriculation and Intermediate result cards, plus your latest transcript if you are already enrolled
• Your Punjab domicile certificate
• The income affidavit on e-stamp paper, using the template from the portal
• Proof of admission or enrolment from your university or college

Scan each document clearly and keep the files small. Application guides report that the portal accepts compact JPG or PNG files, and oversized scans are a common reason uploads fail.

How to Apply in Five Steps

1. Open honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk and register with your CNIC, mobile number and email address.
2. Log in, read the eligibility criteria for your category and download the affidavit template.
3. Enter your personal, address and education details exactly as they appear on your documents.
4. Upload each document and wait for the confirmation message before moving on.
5. Review the whole form, submit it, and save your application ID and a copy of the form.

The Deadline Is Closer Than It Looks

The announced last date for Phase IV is 9 November 2026, according to the IUB notice and ProPakistani. Some institutions have published earlier internal dates, and government portals tend to slow down in the final days. Check your own university’s scholarship notice today and apply as early as you can. There is no paper application.

After the Award

Honhaar pays tuition directly to your university. Keeping it depends on keeping your grades. Universities issue notices on continuing awards; the Government College University Faisalabad, for example, has asked existing awardees to meet minimum CGPA and GPA requirements before the next instalment. Read every message your scholarship office sends, and correct any errors in your record promptly.

Beyond the Fee

A scholarship removes the financial barrier. What you build alongside your degree decides what comes next. Our guides to the PM Youth Programme in 2026 and the PM Youth Chromebook Scheme explain other support available to young Pakistanis, and our article on volunteering as a career move shows how to build experience while you study. For short digital skills courses in Lahore, the Centre for Digital Literacy and Business Management offers NAVTTC-registered training.