Ehsaas Undergraduate scholarship applications to open on Sept 5

ISLAMABAD: The Ehsaas undergraduate scholarship project steering committee came to the table for the sixth time to review the progress for the outgoing academic session and strategise next steps for 2020-21.

The meeting reviewed the overall progress of the Ehsaas scholarships worth Rs4.827 billion awarded to 50,762 undergraduate students for the year 2019-20.

The steering committee took stock of the pattern followed for scholarship distribution and disbursements to public sector universities. It was discussed that the Ehsaas application portal will be opened in the first week of September for online submission of fresh applications for the year 2020-21.

The Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship project is being governed by the Ehsaas Scholarships Steering Committee co-chaired by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Dr Sania Nishtar and Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Tariq Banuri.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr Sania Nishtar stated 50,000 undergraduate scholarships including 50 percent to girls will be given every year to enhance financial access to higher education. The four-year Rs24 billion scholarship programme will support 200,000 students from low-income backgrounds.

Chairman HEC assured that transparency and equity are being ensured through joint monitoring and evaluation mechanism set up under this shared initiative.

The Ehsaas undergraduate scholarship project was launched in March and students from low-income backgrounds studying in undergraduate degree programmes in public sector universities were eligible to apply. Last year, 132,192 undergraduate students had applied for scholarships through HEC’s online portal.

The scrutiny of applications received last year to award 50,762 scholarships was finalized early this year with the re-opening of universities, the entire process was expedited with all 119 public sector universities. The need-cum-merit scholarship covers tuition fees and a living stipend.

The meeting adjourned with the decision that the Ehsaas undergraduate portal will open on 5th September 2020 to receive applications for the year 2020-21.