There is no single "HEC scholarship". The Higher Education Commission runs several different programmes — some for study inside Pakistan, some for study abroad — with different routes, different tests and different deadlines, and the most common reason Pakistani students miss them is that they apply through the wrong door. This guide explains the HEC scholarships Pakistan offers in 2027: which programme fits you, what each one pays, and how to apply.
HEC scholarships Pakistan: the programmes at a glance
| Programme | Level | Where | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEC Need-Based Scholarship | Undergraduate | Public universities in Pakistan | Through your university's financial aid office |
| HEC Overseas Scholarship | PhD | World-ranked universities abroad | HEC portal, in announced batches |
| Commonwealth Scholarship (via HEC) | Master's & PhD | UK | Commonwealth portal AND HEC portal |
| USAID Merit and Need-Based Scholarship | Undergraduate | Pakistani universities | No new intake announced (see below) |
| Ehsaas / BISP Undergraduate Scholarship | Undergraduate | Pakistani universities | Portal closed — no confirmed 2026 reopening |
HEC Need-Based Scholarship: study inside Pakistan
The HEC Need-Based Scholarship is the flagship award for talented low-income students at HEC-recognised public-sector universities. It covers tuition for students from low-income families enrolled in a degree programme, and it continues each semester as long as you maintain satisfactory academic progress. There is no central national application window: applications run through individual universities, each with its own deadline — COMSATS Lahore, for example, closed its Fall 2026 round on 15 October 2026, while other universities remained open. Apply in your first semester through your university's financial aid office, not directly to HEC, and bring proof of your family's income. HEC publishes no official family income threshold — the Rs. 45,000-a-month figure repeated online appears on no official page, so do not rely on it.
Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28: the biggest HEC route abroad
The Commonwealth Scholarship is the UK government's fully funded award for a taught master's or a PhD in the UK, and HEC is Pakistan's nominating agency. It covers full tuition, return airfare and a monthly stipend of £1,712 (£2,000 in London), plus a study travel grant and child allowance. The 2027-28 cycle closed on 20 October 2026 at 4:00 PM Pakistan time on the HEC portal and 16:00 BST on the Commonwealth portal. The rules that matter: you must be a Pakistani or AJ&K national and permanent resident (dual nationals are not eligible), hold a first division in a 16-year bachelor's degree for the master's route, and score at least 60 out of 100 in the HAT test (categories HAT-I to HAT-IV only). HEC ranks nominees strictly on the HAT score — without 60, your application is never read. MBA programmes and research-based master's degrees are excluded. HEC's nominations are expected in December 2026, results in July 2027, and studies begin in September or October 2027. Nomination by HEC does not guarantee final selection: the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission makes the final decision, and at least 45% of HEC's nominations go to women.
HEC Overseas Scholarship: PhD abroad
The HEC Overseas Scholarship is the Commission's flagship programme for PhD study at world-ranked universities in the UK, USA, Europe, China, Australia and elsewhere. It pays full tuition directly to the foreign university, a monthly living stipend of around USD 1,000–1,500 depending on the country, economy-class return airfare, a research allowance and medical insurance, for up to four years. It is primarily for PhD candidates: typical requirements are an MPhil or equivalent degree with at least 3.0 CGPA or 60% marks, a qualifying GAT-Subject score, and age below 35. Many batches require you to return and serve in a Pakistani institution after completing the degree — read the bond terms carefully before you sign. HEC announces batches at different times of the year, so check hec.gov.pk and HEC's official pages regularly rather than waiting for a fixed annual date.
What is NOT open right now
Two programmes that appear in many "HEC scholarships" lists are not accepting new applications. The USAID Merit and Need-Based Scholarship (Phase-II) is in limbo: USAID funding halted in early 2025, stranding about 530 students, and although the University of Karachi announced in July 2025 that funding was restored for existing awardees, no new intake has been announced. The Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship — now the BISP / Benazir Undergraduate Scholarship — is also not accepting applications: checks of HEC's pages in August and September 2026 found the portal closed, with no confirmed 2026 reopening. If a website or an agent tells you either programme is open, ask for the HEC notice. Do not pay anyone for an HEC scholarship application: HEC's own applications are free, and agents cannot improve your chances.
The HAT test: the key to HEC nominations
The Higher Education Aptitude Test (HAT) is the test HEC uses to rank candidates for the Commonwealth and other overseas nominations. It is a 100-mark test in four categories (HAT-I to HAT-IV, depending on your field), and you need at least 60 out of 100 to be considered for Commonwealth nomination. HEC holds HAT sessions several times a year; the last test for the Commonwealth 2027-28 cycle was held on 25 October 2026. If you plan to apply for a 2028-29 overseas scholarship, take the HAT as early as you can — a strong score is the one thing that moves you up HEC's ranking, and it is valid for the cycle in which you apply.
How to apply for HEC scholarships Pakistan, step by step
- Decide which programme fits you: need-based (studying in Pakistan), Commonwealth (UK master's or PhD) or overseas PhD.
- For need-based aid, go to your university's financial aid office in your first semester with proof of family income.
- For Commonwealth, apply on BOTH portals — the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission's system and HEC's portal at scholarship.hec.gov.pk. Missing either one disqualifies you.
- Take the HAT early and aim well above 60 out of 100; HEC ranks on this score.
- Prepare your documents in advance: transcripts, CNIC, domicile, income proof and reference letters.
- Check hec.gov.pk for the current announcement before every deadline — dates and rules change each cycle.
Frequently asked questions
What HEC scholarships are open in 2027? The HEC Need-Based Scholarship runs through universities (deadlines vary by university). The Commonwealth Scholarship 2027-28 closed on 20 October 2026. HEC Overseas PhD batches are announced through the year on hec.gov.pk.
How do I apply for the HEC Need-Based Scholarship? Through your university's financial aid office in your first semester — not directly to HEC. Bring proof of your family's income.
What HAT score do I need for the Commonwealth Scholarship? At least 60 out of 100, in HAT categories I to IV. HEC ranks nominees on this score, so a higher score directly improves your chances.
Is the Ehsaas scholarship still open? No. The Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship portal (now BISP) was closed when checked in August and September 2026, with no confirmed 2026 reopening.
Related guides on Pakunii
Fully Funded Scholarships 2027 · Commonwealth Scholarship Guide 2027 · Fulbright Scholarships for Pakistani Students 2027 · Chevening Scholarship Guide
Sources and verification: HEC official announcement (Commonwealth Scholarship Programme 2027-28: HEC deadline 20 October 2026, 4:00 PM PST; CSC deadline 20 October 2026, 16:00 BST; HAT minimum 60 of 100, categories HAT-I to IV; stipend £1,712, £2,000 London; nominations December 2026; results July 2027; studies September/October 2027; no dual nationals; MBA and research master's excluded; 45% female nominations). HEC Need-Based Scholarship and HEC Overseas Scholarship details as published by HEC and reported in October 2026 (USAID MNBSP Phase-II in limbo since early 2025; Ehsaas/BISP portal closed, no confirmed 2026 reopening). Confirm every deadline on hec.gov.pk.