This article explains public information. It does not determine eligibility or replace an official notice.
What is the KP Education Endowment Fund Scholarship 2026-27?
The KP Education Endowment Fund Scholarship 2026-27 is a merit-cum-inaffordability scholarship for talented students from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who cannot afford the full cost of higher education. Merit-cum-inaffordability means two tests apply at once. You must show strong academic results, and your family must fall under a set income ceiling. The scheme covers the 2026-27 academic session, and it is open only to students who have just enrolled in the first year of a BS or MS degree programme.
Who runs KPEF and what does the scholarship cover?
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation (KPEF) runs the scheme. Its office is at Plot No. 20, Sector E-8, Phase 7, Hayatabad, Peshawar. You can contact the Foundation at [email protected] or on 091-9216290. The official website is ef.kp.gov.pk. The Foundation's frequently asked questions state the coverage plainly. The scholarship is not fully funded. It covers up to 80% of the tuition fee, subject to the applicable scholarship policy, budgetary allocation, and availability of funds. Plan for at least 20% of the tuition fee, plus other costs. No monthly stipend and no scholarship count for 2026-27 are published on the official pages.
How is this scholarship different from other KP scholarships?
The KPEF scholarship is a provincial, inland scholarship. It supports study at approved institutions within Pakistan only. It does not cover study abroad. It also differs from the Chief Minister Educational Endowment Fund (CMEEF), a separate scheme with its own rules. The two funds are often mixed up in online guides, because CMEEF is fully funded with a monthly stipend of Rs 5,000, while KPEF covers up to 80% of tuition and publishes no stipend. The comparison table later in this guide sets the two schemes side by side. If you are the child of a registered industrial worker, read our guide to the KP Workers Welfare Fund Scholarship 2026 before you choose, because you cannot hold two scholarships at once. Students in Punjab should look instead at the CM Punjab Honhaar Scholarship Program 2026.
Who can apply for the KP Education Endowment Fund Scholarship 2026-27?
You can apply if you pass all twelve conditions published by KPEF for the 2026-27 scheme. No single condition is enough on its own. Check yourself against every row below before you start the form, because a failure on one condition ends the application even if the other eleven are met.
| Check | Rule as of 10 November 2026 |
|---|---|
| Academic merit | At least 70% marks in the last exam or a 3.00 CGPA |
| Domicile | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the Newly Merged Districts (formerly FATA) |
| Study level | First year of a BS or MS degree programme only |
| Institution | Admission in an approved institution within Pakistan |
| Family income | Parents or guardian income of Rs 160,000 per month or less |
| Fields of study | Emerging, Engineering, Management, General, Allied Health Sciences, Arts Groups |
| Other scholarships | A student availing any other scholarship is not entitled |
| Application route | Apply through the KPEF portal before 31 December 2026 |
| Selection | Online auto-merit, then interviews at university campuses |
| Gender allocation | Scholarships awarded equally among male and female students |
| Renewal | Needs a 3.00 CGPA, otherwise KPEF discontinues the scholarship |
| Scheme changes | The Foundation may amend the scheme, extend the date, or reject the scheme |
Do you meet the academic and domicile tests?
The academic test is at least 70% marks in your last attended examination or a 3.00 CGPA. KPEF states the two measures as alternatives, so either one can satisfy the test. The official frequently asked questions add that you must have maintained that standard. If you study at an Arts Specialized University, selection is on the basis of a Merit Aptitude Test where selection is based on skills. That is the one exception to the marks rule. The domicile test is strict. You must hold a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile. The official frequently asked questions confirm that students from the Newly Merged Districts (formerly FATA) are eligible on the same terms, as long as they hold a valid Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile and meet every other condition.
Does the Rs 160,000 income ceiling apply to your family?
Yes, if your parents or guardian earn more than Rs 160,000 a month in total, you do not qualify. The ceiling covers the combined monthly income of both parents or of the guardian, from all sources, not just salary. The official frequently asked questions state the test in those terms, and they add that applicants must provide accurate information and supporting documents during application and verification. Secondary listings name an attested pay roll, an attested pension slip, and a pension book as the usual proofs, but the official page does not publish a full document checklist for 2026-27, so confirm the exact proof the portal asks for. Do not understate income. KPEF verifies applications, and false information can end your candidacy.
Which institutions and fields of study count?
Your institution must be on the approved list, and your field must be one of the six groups KPEF names. The approved list is available on the KPEF official website, the Higher Education Department (HED) website, and DASTAK, according to the official scholarship page. Check the list before you apply, because admission to a university that is not on the list does not count. The six eligible field groups are Emerging Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Management Sciences, General Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Arts Groups. Study outside Pakistan does not count. Study in a later year does not count either. The scholarship is for freshly enrolled first-year students only, in the first or second semester of a BS or MS programme.
How much does the KPEF scholarship pay?
The scholarship covers up to 80% of your tuition fee. That single sentence is the most important fact in this guide, because many secondary pages describe KPEF as fully funded, and it is not. The official frequently asked questions repeat the point twice, in two separate answers, so there is no doubt about it. The actual assistance depends on the applicable scholarship policy, budgetary allocation, and availability of funds, which means the percentage can vary and the Foundation can pay less than 80% if funds are short. No fixed rupee amount is published, because the amount depends on your institution's tuition fee. No monthly stipend, hostel allowance, or book allowance is published for this scheme. If a page quotes a monthly stipend for KPEF, it has likely copied the figure from CMEEF, which does pay Rs 5,000 a month. Take your annual tuition fee, multiply by 80%, and treat the result as the maximum help you can expect, not a guaranteed payment.
How to apply for the KP Education Endowment Fund Scholarship 2026-27
Apply only through the official KPEF online scholarship portal. The Foundation states this rule twice in its twelve conditions, and its frequently asked questions repeat it three more times. No direct application to KPEF will be entertained, and no direct or paper-based application to a university will be entertained. A form handed in at the KPEF office or at your university does not count. Do not pay any agent who offers to submit the form for you, and do not use a link from a social media post or a WhatsApp forward. Start at ef.kp.gov.pk.
- Confirm your university is on the KPEF approved list, and confirm your field is one of the six eligible groups.
- Confirm you meet the marks or CGPA test, hold a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile, and fall under the Rs 160,000 income ceiling.
- Gather your documents before you register, so you do not leave the form half finished.
- Register on the KPEF official website through the online scholarship portal.
- Fill in the form with your academic record, domicile, institution and programme, and family income.
- Upload the documents the portal asks for, and check each upload is clear and complete.
- Submit before 31 December 2026, and keep a copy of the submitted form and any reference number the portal gives you.
What documents should you keep ready?
The official 2026-27 page does not publish a full document checklist, so the list below is compiled from the KPEF frequently asked questions and from secondary listings that track the scheme, and you must confirm the final list on the portal itself. The documents the sources name are your Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC), your Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile certificate, your income certificate or income proof, your educational documents and transcripts, and a profile picture. Secondary listings add an attested pay roll or an attested pension slip and pension book for income proof. Treat the list above as a preparation checklist, not as the official requirement. Keep originals and clear scans ready, and make sure the name and date of birth on every document match your CNIC.
What happens after you submit your application?
Your application is processed through an online digital auto-merit mechanism. The official frequently asked questions explain the next step. The top 10 candidates against each scholarship slot are shortlisted for an interview through that mechanism. Only those shortlisted candidates are called, so a complete application does not guarantee an interview. Interviews are held at university campuses by the Institutional Scholarship Award Committees (ISACs), which the twelve conditions call Scholarship Disbursement Official Committees. Those committees make the final recommendations. Scholarships are then awarded equally among male and female students. If no applications come from one category, the slots go to the next candidates on merit.
KPEF or CMEEF: do not confuse the two KP scholarships
KPEF and the Chief Minister Educational Endowment Fund (CMEEF) are two different schemes, run by different bodies, with different coverage and different income limits. CMEEF is supervised by the Chief Minister and managed by the Higher Education Department (HED), and it is fully funded. KPEF is run by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation. A student who plans around CMEEF money while applying to KPEF will be disappointed, and a student who meets the KPEF income ceiling may still fail the CMEEF ceiling, because CMEEF sets its limit lower.
| Point | KPEF 2026-27 | CMEEF 2026 (separate scheme) |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation | Higher Education Department, supervised by the Chief Minister |
| Coverage | Up to 80% of tuition fee, not fully funded | Fully funded, including tuition, admission, and hostel fees |
| Monthly stipend | None published | Rs 5,000 per month, as reported by secondary guides |
| Income ceiling | Rs 160,000 per month | Rs 100,000 per month, as reported by secondary guides |
| Academic test | 70% marks or 3.00 CGPA | 60% in Intermediate for BS, 3.0 CGPA for MS or MPhil, plus GRE or GAT |
| Study levels | First-year BS and MS only | BS and BE, MS, MPhil, and PhD, including international PhD |
| Deadline | 31 December 2026 | Not stated here, check hed.gkp.pk/cmeef |
| Apply through | KPEF online portal at ef.kp.gov.pk | Institution or Project Management Unit, by category |
The CMEEF figures in this table come from secondary guides, not from an official CMEEF page checked for this article, so confirm them on the HED portal before you rely on them. The KPEF figures come from the official KPEF pages checked on 10 November 2026.
What changed in the 2026-27 KPEF call?
The 2026-27 call is now live on the official KPEF website, and that is the change that matters most. A secondary tracker checked the official site on 3 October 2026 and found only the 2025-26 call, with a deadline of 15 December 2025, marked as over. That tracker was correct on 3 October, but it is out of date now. The official page checked on 10 November 2026 names the Merit-cum-Inaffordability Scholarship Scheme 2026-27 and sets the deadline at 31 December 2026. The KP IT Board scholarship portal still shows the old cycle, with a deadline of 15 December 2025 in one place and 25 November 2025 in another, and it lists the benefit as Rs 0, which is a placeholder, not a real amount. Do not use those dates. The Foundation reserves the right to amend the scheme, extend the date, or reject the scheme, so check the official page again in the last week before you apply.
Mistakes that can cost you the KPEF scholarship
Most rejections under this scheme are avoidable, because the rules are short and specific. The first mistake is applying in the wrong year of study. Only first-year BS and MS students can apply. The second mistake is applying to KPEF or to your university on paper. Only the online portal counts. The third mistake is holding another scholarship at the same time. Condition six says a student availing any other scholarship is not entitled, and students with partial assistance should seek clarification from KPEF. If you already hold a scholarship, ask KPEF before you apply, and do not hide it. The fourth mistake is missing the income ceiling by a small margin and applying anyway. KPEF verifies income. The fifth mistake is letting your CGPA fall below 3.00 after you win the award. Renewal needs a 3.00 CGPA or 70% marks, and KPEF will discontinue the scholarship if you fall short. For interest-free business support instead of study, read our guide to the Ehsaas Naujawan Programme KP interest-free loans. For paid work experience, see the KP Internship Programme 2026 for 20,000 graduates.
Check your eligibility in one minute
Use the checklist below before you open the portal. Count yourself as ready only if every row is a yes. If every row is a yes, apply now rather than in the last week, because the portal can be slow near the deadline.
| Check | Your answer |
|---|---|
| I hold a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile | Yes or no |
| I scored at least 70% marks or a 3.00 CGPA | Yes or no |
| I am in the first year of a BS or MS programme | Yes or no |
| My institution is on the KPEF approved list | Yes or no |
| My field is one of the six eligible groups | Yes or no |
| My parents or guardian earn Rs 160,000 a month or less | Yes or no |
| I do not hold any other scholarship | Yes or no |
| I can apply through the portal before 31 December 2026 | Yes or no |
If any row is a no, do not submit a hopeful application. Check the alternative that fits your case instead. Undergraduate students who need a fully funded option can read our guide to the Ehsaas Undergraduate Scholarship, and young women can check the Scotland Pakistan Scholarships for Young Women and Girls.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for the KP Education Endowment Fund Scholarship 2026-27?
The last date is 31 December 2026. Submit your application through the KPEF official website and online scholarship portal before that date. No extension is published as of 10 November 2026.
How much money does the KPEF scholarship give?
It covers up to 80% of your tuition fee, subject to the scholarship policy, budgetary allocation, and availability of funds. It is not fully funded, and no fixed rupee amount or monthly stipend is published.
Who can apply for the KPEF Merit-cum-Inaffordability Scholarship?
First-year BS and MS students with a Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile, at least 70% marks or a 3.00 CGPA, admission in an approved institution in Pakistan, and combined family income of Rs 160,000 a month or less can apply. Your field must be one of the six eligible groups.
Can second-year or third-year students apply?
No. The scholarship is for freshly enrolled first-year students only, in the first or second semester of a BS or MS programme. Students in later years cannot apply for a fresh award.
Can I apply if my university is outside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa?
Yes, if the institution is on the KPEF approved list and is within Pakistan. KP domicile students enrolled in an approved institution anywhere in Pakistan can apply, as long as they meet all other conditions.
Can I apply directly to KPEF or to my university?
No. Applications are accepted only through the KPEF online scholarship portal at ef.kp.gov.pk. Paper-based applications to KPEF and direct applications to a university are not entertained.
What is the income limit for the KPEF scholarship?
The combined monthly income of your parents or guardian must not exceed Rs 160,000. Income from all sources counts. Above that figure, you do not meet the financial criteria, even if your marks are high.
How are students selected for the KPEF scholarship?
Applications are processed through an online digital auto-merit mechanism. The top 10 candidates against each scholarship slot are shortlisted for an interview at their university campus by the Institutional Scholarship Award Committees.
Is the KPEF scholarship the same as CMEEF?
No. KPEF and CMEEF are separate schemes. KPEF covers up to 80% of tuition for first-year BS and MS students, with an income ceiling of Rs 160,000 a month. CMEEF is fully funded with a reported monthly stipend of Rs 5,000 and an income ceiling of Rs 100,000 a month.
What CGPA do I need to keep the KPEF scholarship?
You must maintain a minimum CGPA of 3.00 or 70% marks to keep the scholarship. Renewal is based strictly on performance, and KPEF will discontinue the scholarship if you fall below that standard.
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