Six HEC-Linked Scholarships Closing in October 2026: Deadlines and Application Guide

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has issued an urgent notification reminding students, faculty, and independent researchers that six major HEC-linked scholarship programs are closing between October 15 and October 31, 2026. These fully funded and partially funded opportunities cover undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies both within Pakistan and at top-ranked international universities. Eligible candidates are strongly advised to complete their submissions well before the final deadline to avoid server congestion on the official portal.

Mandatory Online Registration and Application Portal

All applicants must submit their details through the official HEC e-portal at scholarship.hec.gov.pk. Candidates need to create an account, complete their profile verification, and select the specific scholarship scheme they wish to apply for. In addition to basic personal and educational credentials, applicants must upload scanned copies of verified academic transcripts, degrees, national identity cards, and where applicable, comprehensive research proposals or statement of purpose documents.

Essential Documentation and Criteria

To ensure successful evaluation, candidates must meet specific eligibility benchmarks tailored to each program, including minimum cumulative grade point averages (CGPA) or percentage marks, as well as valid HAT or GRE score cards where mandatory. Attestation of prior educational certificates by the HEC or relevant educational boards is a mandatory prerequisite for final shortlisting. Early submission ensures that any minor documentation discrepancies can be addressed before the system portal officially closes.

Avoiding Common Rejection Mistakes

HEC officials have highlighted several frequent errors that result in immediate application disqualification. These include submitting incomplete profiles, uploading unverified or illegible document scans, selecting incorrect academic disciplines during registration, and waiting until the final hours on deadline day when high web traffic can cause submission timeouts. Candidates are advised to carefully double-check all entered information and save their finalized draft before clicking the final submit button.