Paying for education can become difficult when a family is already managing household expenses, fees, books, transport and other study costs. For deserving students in Punjab, the Education Stipends (General) program of the Punjab Zakat & Ushr Department provides financial assistance to help eligible students continue their education.
The scheme is intended for poor and deserving students studying in eligible educational institutions in Punjab. Here is what students and parents should know about eligibility, stipend amounts and the application process.
What Is the Punjab Education Zakat Stipend?
The Education Stipends (General) program provides financial assistance from Zakat funds to deserving students studying at eligible colleges, universities, polytechnic institutions and other professional or educational institutions in Punjab.
The institution must be established or recognized by the government. Eligibility is not automatic; the student’s Istehqaq (deserving status) is determined through the relevant Local Zakat & Ushr Committee and endorsed through the educational institution’s scholarship committee.
The Punjab Zakat & Ushr Department reports that during 2025–26, Rs. 200 million was allocated for general education stipends and more than 15,000 students benefited.
Punjab Education Zakat Stipend Amount 2026
The official department currently lists the following annual stipend rates:
| Education Level | Annual Stipend |
|---|---|
| Intermediate | Rs. 10,000 |
| BS / Graduate & Postgraduate | Rs. 15,000 |
| Engineering / Medical / Computer Science | Rs. 20,000 |
These are annual rates listed by the Punjab Zakat & Ushr Department.
It’s worth remembering that this is an annual educational stipend, not a monthly payment.
Who Is Eligible?
The program is aimed at poor and deserving students who are studying in eligible educational institutions in Punjab.
According to the department, eligible students can include those studying at colleges, universities, polytechnic institutions and other government-established or government-recognized educational and professional institutions.
The broader Punjab Zakat system states that Zakat assistance is intended for eligible Muslim citizens of Pakistan living below the poverty line.
However, simply meeting the general description does not guarantee approval. The relevant Zakat committee determines whether the applicant qualifies for assistance.
How Is Eligibility Determined?
This is an important part of the process.
The student’s application is processed through the educational institution, while Istehqaq is determined by the Local Zakat & Ushr Committee. The institution’s scholarship committee also plays a role in endorsing eligible students.
The official application form asks for information such as the applicant’s educational institution, class or department, parent or guardian’s occupation, monthly income, number of dependent family members and previous examination position.
This information helps the relevant authorities assess the applicant’s circumstances.
How to Apply for Punjab Education Zakat Stipend
The application process is different from many online government schemes because the official procedure directs students to apply through their educational institution.
A deserving student should:
- Obtain the Education Stipend application form.
- Fill in the required personal and educational information.
- Provide details about the parent or guardian’s income and family circumstances.
- Submit the application to the head of the educational institution.
- The institution processes the application and scholarship committee reviews it.
- The relevant Local Zakat & Ushr Committee determines Istehqaq.
- After approval and release of funds, payment is made to the student through the concerned educational institution.
The Punjab Zakat & Ushr Department provides both English and Urdu versions of the Education Stipends (General) form.
What Information Is Required?
Before applying, it is useful to have your information ready. The official form asks for details including:
- Student’s name
- Father’s or guardian’s name
- Date of birth and CNIC number
- Educational institution
- Class or department
- Permanent and temporary address
- Parent or guardian’s occupation
- Parent or guardian’s monthly income
- Number of dependent family members
- Previous examination position
- Information about other family members receiving educational scholarships
Providing accurate information is important because the application is used to determine whether the student qualifies for Zakat assistance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One common mistake is assuming that the stipend can simply be claimed online. The official procedure says that a deserving student should apply to the head of the educational institution, which then processes the application.
Another mistake is leaving family-income information incomplete. Since the application includes details about income and dependents, make sure the information is accurate and consistent.
Students should also check with their college or university about the current application schedule and any additional documents the institution may request.
Final Thoughts
The Punjab Education Zakat Stipend is intended to provide financial support to deserving students who might otherwise find it difficult to continue their studies.
For the currently published rates, eligible students can receive Rs. 10,000 for Intermediate, Rs. 15,000 for BS/Graduate/Postgraduate studies, or Rs. 20,000 for Engineering, Medical and Computer Science programs per year.
Since the process involves the educational institution and Local Zakat & Ushr Committee, students should start by contacting their college or university administration and obtaining the official Education Stipend form. Requirements and allocations can change, so checking the latest information from the Punjab Zakat & Ushr Department before submitting an application is a sensible final step.