Punjab Government Launches Honhaar Scholarship Program with Rs. 130 Billion Budget
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the groundbreaking Honhaar Scholarship Program, allocating an impressive Rs. 130 billion to support deserving students. This initiative marks a transformative step in providing financial assistance to young talents pursuing higher education.
Eligibility Criteria for the Honhaar Scholarship
The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) outlined the criteria for applicants:
- Domicile: Must belong to any district in Punjab.
- Age Limit: Not more than 22 years as of the application deadline.
- Educational Enrollment:
- Students must be enrolled in eligible disciplines at recognized universities, colleges, or medical institutions for the fall 2024 session.
- First-year MBBS and BDS students for 2024 are also eligible.
- Family Income: Monthly income must not exceed Rs. 300,000 (with affidavit proof).
- Minimum Academic Performance:
- Medical Colleges: 80% or higher.
- Top Universities: 80% or higher.
- Public Sector Universities:
- Science: 75% or higher.
- Arts and Social Sciences: 70% or higher.
- HED Colleges:
- Science: 65% or higher.
- Arts and Social Sciences: 60% or higher.
Program Highlights
The Honhaar Scholarship will benefit students across 68 disciplines, offering full tuition fee coverage for four- and five-year undergraduate programs. The initiative aligns with Maryam Nawaz’s vision to award 30,000 scholarships annually, fostering educational equity and opportunity.
Overwhelming Response from Students
So far, more than 68,000 students have applied for the program from 65 universities, 359 colleges, and 12 medical institutions. This reflects the immense demand and trust in the program’s potential to empower students.
Expanding “Maryam Ki Dastak”
On November 18, the Punjab government extended the Maryam Ki Dastak program to an additional 10 districts, including Rahim Yar Khan, Gujrat, and Rajanpur. This initiative, spearheaded by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), aims to enhance service delivery with trained representatives, ensuring efficient and citizen-friendly experiences across 32 districts.
