ISLAMABAD: The government’s social protection programme Ehsaas has announced a one-month extension for submission of scholarship applications to enable maximum number of deserving students to apply for the opportunity.

The new deadline for sending online applications is Dec 31, 2021. The previous last date was Nov 30, 2021.

“Given the delays in admission process at several public sector universities in the country, the last date for Ehsaas scholarship applications has just been extended. The decision has been made to enable maximum number of deserving students to apply for this opportunity”, said Senator Dr Sania Nishtar in an official statement.

Since reopening of the portal in the first week of September 2021, about 77,210 applications have been submitted and 23,740 application cases are in process of submission.

Ehsaas undergraduate scholarships are for students from low-income families earning less than Rs45,000 a month and marginalised regions so they can be assisted in their undergraduate studies. As many as 135 public sector universities, recognised by Higher Education Commission (HEC) are part of this programme.

Students enrolled in four to five year undergraduate programmes of public sector universities are eligible to submit scholarship applications for the year 2021. Eligible students can apply through the online portal: https://ehsaas.hec.gov.pk/.

In the last two years, 142,000 Ehsaas scholarships were awarded to undergraduate students nationwide. This year 50,000 scholarships will be awarded to deserving students. The Ehsaas undergraduate scholarship covers 100 percent tuition fee and a monthly stipend.

Recipients who secured Ehsaas undergraduate scholarship in last two years will continue receiving scholarships till the completion of undergraduate degree based on their academic performance.

The total budget of the programme is Rs24 billion. Over four years, 200,000 undergraduate scholarships will be awarded on need and merit basis and 50pc of the scholarships are reserved for girls.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2021