In a groundbreaking initiative to support education, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched the Honhaar Scholarship Program, valued at Rs. 130 billion. This program aims to provide financial aid to deserving students and promote higher education in Punjab.
The Punjab Higher Education Department (HED) has confirmed that over 68,000 students from 65 universities, 359 colleges, and 12 medical colleges have already applied. CM Maryam Nawaz hailed the program as a remarkable step toward enhancing educational opportunities for the youth of Punjab.
Eligibility Criteria for Honhaar Scholarship Program
Students must meet the following requirements to qualify for the Honhaar Scholarship:
General Requirements
- Domicile: Must be a resident of Punjab.
- Age Limit: Should not exceed 22 years as of the closing date.
- Enrollment: Must be enrolled in recognized universities or colleges for the Fall 2024 session. This includes newly admitted MBBS and BDS students.
- Family Income: Monthly family income should be less than Rs. 300,000, verified through an affidavit.
Minimum Academic Percentage
| Institution Type | Discipline | Minimum Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Colleges | All Disciplines | 80% or above |
| Top Universities | All Disciplines | 80% or above |
| Public Sector Universities | Science | 75% or above |
| Arts & Social Sciences | 70% or above | |
| HED Colleges | Science | 65% or above |
| Arts & Social Sciences | 60% or above |
Program Benefits
- Comprehensive Coverage: The scholarship covers tuition fees for four- and five-year undergraduate degree programs across 68 disciplines.
- Annual Awards: The program will award scholarships to 30,000 students every year.
- Alignment with Vision: This initiative aligns with Maryam Nawaz’s vision of creating equitable opportunities for higher education.
Other Initiatives in Punjab
Expansion of ‘Maryam Ki Dastak’ Program
On November 18, the Punjab government extended the Maryam Ki Dastak program to 32 districts, adding 10 new districts:
- Rahim Yar Khan, Vehari, Lodhran, Toba Tek Singh, Layyah, Rajanpur, Nankana Sahib, Chiniot, Gujrat, and Khushab.
This initiative, supervised by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and led by Chairman Faisal Yousaf, focuses on enhancing service delivery through trained representatives, ensuring a citizen-friendly experience across Punjab.