The CM Honhaar Scholarship Program pays tuition fees for talented Punjab undergraduate students whose families can’t afford them, covering up to 100% of tuition for the length of the degree. It’s run by the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, and sits alongside several other active CM Punjab student and family support schemes worth checking if this one isn’t the right fit.
CM Honhaar Scholarship — Quick Answer
If you have a Punjab domicile, meet the academic cutoff for your institution type, and your family income falls under the current cycle’s limit — roughly Rs. 350,000/month for public-sector institutions or Rs. 500,000/month for federal/private-sector institutions — you can apply free through the official portal at honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk. The scholarship covers 100% of tuition, paid directly to your institution.
Last reviewed: September 2026
CM Honhaar Scholarship 2026 at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | CM Honhaar Undergraduate Scholarship |
| Managed by | Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) |
| Coverage | Up to 100% tuition fees, paid to the institution |
| Who can apply | Eligible undergraduates at approved institutions |
| Eligibility basis | Academic merit + family income (merit-cum-need) |
| Domicile | Punjab (limited quotas for AJK, GB, KP, Balochistan students, depending on intake) |
| Income limit | ~Rs. 350,000/month (public) or ~Rs. 500,000/month (federal/private) — varies by cycle |
| Application method | Online, free of cost |
| Official portal | honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk |
What Is the CM Honhaar Scholarship Program?
“Honhaar” means talented or promising — the scholarship is merit-cum-need based, so you need to clear both an academic cutoff and a family-income ceiling to qualify. It currently spans selected undergraduate disciplines across public-sector universities, medical and dental colleges, and graduate colleges province-wide, and Punjab’s Higher Education Department has described it as a multi-year effort intended to reach well over 100,000 students, backed by a large multi-year funding commitment.
Worth knowing upfront: the program runs in distinct phases — new admissions, renewals for continuing students, and separate windows for medical/dental students or students from outside Punjab — and specific figures (income limit, total scholarships, participating institutions) shift somewhat between announcements. Always confirm the numbers on the portal for the specific intake you’re applying under, rather than assuming last cycle’s figures still apply.
Who Is Eligible for the Honhaar Scholarship?
Domicile and Income Requirements
- Domicile: A Punjab domicile certificate is required. Some intakes also open limited quotas for students with AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, or Balochistan domicile studying at eligible Punjab institutions — check whether your category is currently open before assuming.
- Family income: This is the figure that changes most often between cycles. Recent notices have set the ceiling at roughly Rs. 350,000/month for public-sector institution students and Rs. 500,000/month for federal or private-sector institution students. Use whatever figure your current intake’s affidavit specifies — don’t rely on a previous cycle’s number.
- Proof required: An income affidavit on judicial e-stamp paper, backed by a salary slip or income certificate where relevant.
- Gender and age: Open to male, female, and transgender applicants with no gender restriction. Some earlier intakes capped eligibility at 22 years on the closing date; recent notices for several categories state no age limit — check the specific announcement for your intake.
Academic Merit Requirements
- Public-sector universities and colleges: at least 70% Intermediate marks in Sciences, at least 65% in Arts and Social Sciences.
- Public-sector medical and dental colleges (MBBS/BDS): at least 80% Intermediate marks.
- Merit formula: Matric marks carry 30% weightage, Intermediate marks carry 70%.
- You must be enrolled in an eligible discipline at an eligible institution for the relevant session. New admissions and continuing students apply under separate phases, and continuing students generally need to maintain a minimum CGPA each semester to keep the scholarship.
What Does the Scholarship Actually Cover?
The confirmed benefit is 100% of tuition fees, paid directly to your institution rather than into your bank account, for as long as you remain eligible during your degree. It doesn’t automatically cover hostel fees, books, or general living costs.
You may see some sites mention a monthly stipend on top of tuition — this isn’t confirmed on Punjab’s official scheme materials, and figures vary widely across informal sources. If your award includes a stipend, it’ll be stated clearly in your official notification; don’t budget around an unverified figure from a third-party site.
If tuition isn’t your only concern, students also commuting to campus may want to check our Maryam Nawaz Electric Bike Scheme guide for another active Punjab student benefit covering transport costs.
Documents You’ll Need
- Original Punjab domicile certificate (or the relevant regional domicile for quota categories)
- Matric and Intermediate result cards or equivalence certificates
- Proof of enrollment — student ID, admission letter, or fee challan
- Income affidavit on e-stamp paper, plus a salary slip or income certificate
- CNIC or B-Form copies for the applicant and parent/guardian
- A recent passport-size photo on a white or blue background
CM Honhaar Scholarship Last Date 2026
The last date to apply depends on the admission cycle, student category, and the specific PHEC announcement — there’s no single permanent deadline that applies every year, since fresh applicants, continuing students, and special categories often have different windows.
To confirm the current deadline:
- Visit the official Honhaar Scholarship portal.
- Check the latest announcements or notices section.
- Confirm the deadline for your category — fresh admission, renewal, medical/dental, or another eligible category.
- Submit before the closing date; late applications generally aren’t accepted.
Many websites publish old Honhaar deadlines that no longer apply — always verify against the official PHEC portal directly rather than a search result or social post, since missing the actual deadline can mean your application isn’t considered for the current cycle.
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
- Submitting an income affidavit that isn’t on the required e-stamp paper
- Entering income or academic details that don’t match your uploaded documents
- Applying under the wrong phase — for example, applying as a fresh admission when you should be renewing as a continuing student
- Missing the deadline because you relied on an outdated date from an old article instead of the current portal notice
- Going through an agent or third party — it’s not required, and specifically discouraged
Students whose families also need broader financial support can review our Punjab Govt Loan Scheme guide for interest-free options covering other household needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CM Honhaar Scholarship Program?
The CM Honhaar Scholarship Program is a Punjab Government scholarship that provides tuition-fee support to eligible undergraduate students who meet the required academic and family-income criteria.
Who can apply?
Punjab-domiciled undergraduate students studying at eligible universities, colleges, medical colleges, or dental colleges can apply if they meet the academic and income requirements of the current scholarship cycle.
What is the current income limit?
The income limit depends on the institution type and scholarship cycle. Recent notices mention around Rs. 350,000 per month for public-sector institutions and Rs. 500,000 per month for federal or private-sector institutions. Students should check the official portal for the current limit.
Does it cover private university tuition?
The scholarship mainly covers students in public-sector institutions. However, some cycles may include selected private or federal institutions. Students should check whether their university is included in the current intake.
Is there a monthly stipend?
The confirmed benefit is tuition-fee coverage. Information about a monthly stipend varies across unofficial sources and is not confirmed in official materials. Students should check their official award notification.
What documents are required?
Applicants generally need a Punjab domicile, Matric and Intermediate result cards, enrollment proof, an e-stamp income affidavit, CNIC or B-Form copies, and a passport-size photograph.
How do I apply?
Students can apply online through the official Honhaar Scholarship portal. They need to register, complete the application form, upload the required documents, and submit it before the deadline. There is no application fee.
When is the last date to apply?
The last date depends on the current scholarship intake. Deadlines may change or be extended, so students should check the latest announcement on the PHEC portal.
Can continuing students reapply?
Yes. Continuing students can apply for renewal according to the applicable schedule. They generally need to maintain the required minimum CGPA to continue receiving the scholarship.
Is there an age limit?
The age limit can vary depending on the intake and applicant category. Some earlier cycles had a 22-year age limit, while recent announcements for certain categories state no age limit. Students should check the rules for their specific intake.
Final Guidance
The CM Honhaar Scholarship offers real, meaningful tuition support for Punjab’s merit-qualifying undergraduate students. Apply only through the official PHEC portal, use the current cycle’s income and document requirements rather than an older figure, and double-check which phase (fresh admission vs. renewal) actually applies to you before submitting.
Updated: September 2026 Reviewed against: PHEC’s Honhaar Scholarship programme materials and independent verification of the current income thresholds and merit formula
