The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has announced a golden opportunity for talented students from Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) with its Undergraduate Scholarship Program. The program is designed to provide financial support to exceptional students, enabling them to pursue undergraduate studies in renowned Pakistani universities and institutions.
Applications for the academic year 2023-24 are now being accepted, with the application window remaining open until 30 September 2023. This provides ample time for eligible candidates to apply.
To be eligible for the scholarship, candidates must meet several criteria. They must hold a domicile or local certificate of Gilgit-Baltistan, have completed their Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) or its equivalent, and not currently be benefiting from any other scholarship program. Applicants must also be aged 22 years or younger by the application submission closing date and meet both HEC and university admission requirements for their chosen BS programs.
The selection process for the scholarship will be based on a combination of the candidate’s performance in an aptitude test conducted by the Education Testing Council (ETC) under HEC, and their academic records. It is essential for applicants to achieve a minimum of 50 percent marks in the ETC test to remain eligible. The scholarship selection process emphasizes merit, devoid of any biases related to gender, caste, race, or religion.
The HEC’s Undergraduate Scholarship covers a range of expenses to ensure that students can fully concentrate on their studies. The benefits include coverage of tuition fees, hostel charges, and other necessary fees, with a maximum limit of Rs. 240,000 per year. A monthly stipend of Rs. 15,000 and allowances for books and travel, amounting to Rs. 30,000 per annum, are also included.
To apply, candidates must access the online application portal, create a personal login ID and password for future access, and complete the comprehensive application form. A non-refundable application fee of Rs. 500 must be submitted at any HBL branch across Pakistan, using Account No. 1742 7900 133401, Account Title: Higher Education Commission, Branch Code: 1742, Islamabad. A scanned copy of the bank receipt should be uploaded during the online application.