KPEF Opens Merit-Cum-Need Scholarships for 2026-27: Up to 80% Tuition Support

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation (KPEF) has opened applications for its Merit-Cum-Inaffordability Scholarship Scheme for the academic year 2026-27, aimed at supporting students who are pursuing higher education but struggle to meet tuition costs. The programme is designed for students who have just begun their studies rather than those already partway through a degree.

Under the scheme, the foundation will cover up to 80 percent of tuition fees, with the exact support depending on its internal policy and the funds available in any given cycle. Applications are being accepted online, and the deadline for submissions is December 31, 2026.

To qualify, applicants must hold a valid Khyber Pakhtunkhwa domicile, and the foundation has confirmed that students from the newly merged districts are also eligible. Candidates need at least 70 percent marks in their previous examination or a minimum CGPA of 3.00, while the combined monthly income of their parents or guardians must not exceed Rs. 160,000.

The scholarship applies only to students who have recently secured admission to the first year of a BS or MS programme at an approved institution in Pakistan. Those already enrolled in later years of study cannot submit fresh applications under this scheme. For specialised arts universities where admission depends on practical skills, the foundation may take merit and aptitude tests into account.

KPEF has widened the scheme to cover several academic disciplines, including Emerging Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Management Sciences, General Sciences, Allied Health Sciences, and Arts and Humanities. Students must be enrolled at an institution on the foundation's approved list to be considered.

The approved institutions span a mix of public and private universities, among them the University of Peshawar, the University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute, the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), and Quaid-e-Azam University. The initiative is expected to ease the financial burden on families across the province and help meritorious students continue their education without having to drop out over costs.