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HEC

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

​Who is eligible to apply?

Ans: Those who satisfy both General and Specific eligibility criteria are eligible to apply.

General Eligibility Criteria:

  1. Pakistani/AJK nationals
  2. Minimum 4 years bachelor's degree (B.S/B.Sc./B. E (16 years formal education))
  3. A maximum of one second division (or equivalent) throughout the academic career is permissible
  4. Maximum age on the closing date shall not exceed:

I. 40 Years in case of regular Government Employees/ regular Faculty members of Public Sector Universities & Government Colleges/ regular Researchers of approved R & D Organizations

II. 35 Years in all other cases

  1. Must not availing any other Scholarship.
  2. Those having PhD Degree are not eligible.

Specific Eligibility Criteria

  1. Category I – Scholarship (Top 50 QS World Ranked US Universities):

For this category of scholarship, prospective applicant must have:

  1. Secured admission in top 50 QS World Ranked US University.
  2. Valid GRE – General Score (Minimum 300 in total) OR HAT Score (Minimum 60% Score)
  1. Category II -Scholarship (Top 51-100 QS World Ranked US Universities):

 For this category of scholarship, prospective applicant must have:

  • Secured admission in top 300 (51-100) QS World Ranked US University (overall ranking.
  • Valid GRE – General Score (Minimum 300 in total) OR HAT Score (Minimum 60% Score). 

Q.2 What is the maximum age limit?

Maximum age on the closing date shall not exceed:

I. 40 Years in case of regular Government Employees/ regular Faculty members of Public Sector Universities & Government Colleges/ regular Researchers of approved R & D Organizations

II. 35 Years in all other cases

Q3. How to calculate the maximum age limit?


Ans: Maximum age shall be calculated with reference to:

  1. The last date for application submission, mentioned in the advertisement 
  2. 30th October 2026  for Spring/summer  2027 session
  3. 30th March for Fall 2027 session. 

Q4.  What are the different categories of scholarship under US – Pak Knowledge Corridor?

Ans: Scholarship is offered under two categories. Category -  I & Category- II

(1). Category I – Scholarship (Top 50 QS World Ranked US Universities):

For this category of scholarship, prospective applicants must have:

    1. Secured admission in top 50 QS World Ranked US University.
    2. Valid GRE – General Score (Minimum 300 in total) OR HAT Score (Minimum 60% Score)

(2). Category II -Scholarship (Top 51-100 QS World Ranked US Universities):

For this category of scholarship, prospective applicant must have:

  1. Secured admission in top 300 (51-100) QS World Ranked US University (overall ranking)
  2. Valid GRE – General Score (Minimum 300 in total) OR HAT Score (Minimum 60% Score). 

Q5. I have already submitted the application. Do I need to apply afresh?

Ans: Yes

Q6.  Financial assistance available under each scholarship category?

  • Category I– Scholarship (QS 1- 50)
  1. Tuition Cost                             Fully Funded
  2. Annual Stipend                       USD 19,200/-
  3. Annual Health Insurance      USD 2,000/- (or actual, whichever is lower)
  4. Return Airfare                         PKR 250,000/-

Category – II Scholarship (QS 51-100)

  1. Annual Tuition Cost               Up to USD 12,000/-
  2. Annual Stipend                       USD 19,200/-
  3. Annual Health Insurance      USD 2,000/- (or actual, whichever is lower)
  4. Return Airfare                         PKR 250,000/-

Q7. How to get information regarding GRE or HAT?

  1. For information regarding GRE, please visit www.ets.org For information regarding HAT, please visit www.etc.hec.gov.pk

Q8. Which documents are required to get Provisional Award Letter (PAL)?

  • At minimum, following documents are required to process application for PAL:
  • Confirmed Admission letter
  • GRE Score 300 and above/HEC-HAT 60% and above
  • Copies of all academic documents, duly attested by gazetted officer
  • Copy of CNIC, Domicile and Passport, duly attested by gazetted officer
  • Contact details of university graduate school and Advisor/Supervisor (Email IDs).
  • Employment certificate/experience certificate, where required.

Q.9  I wish to apply to US – Pak Knowledge Corridor for PhD scholarship. Do I need a Master degree to apply?

Not usually. A four years undergraduate degree (BS/B.Sc/B.E/Equivalent/16 years of formal education) is acceptable. Most of Graduate Schools of many US Universities accept 4 years Bachelor degree for PhD Program with some exceptions.

Q. 10     Is IELTS acceptable?

TOEFL or IELTS are not the requirements of US – Pak Knowledge Corridor Project (USPKC - HEC) and therefore a prospective applicant can apply to USPKC (HEC) without either of these scores, provided he/she satisfy all other requirements.

Q. 11     Is there any waiver of GRE/HAT despite seeking admission in U.S university?

GRE score 300 and above/HEC-HAT score 60% and above is a scholarship eligibility criteria which is not linked with the admission in U.S university. All candidates are required to fulfill the criteria in order to proceed their scholarship case.

Q. 12     What is VISA requirement of US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor?

Only J-I visa is acceptable.

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