HEC Announces Fully Funded Oman Undergraduate Scholarship Program 2026-27 for Pakistani & AJK Students

HEC Oman Undergraduate Scholarship Program 2026-27: Fully Funded Opportunities for Pakistani and AJK Students Announced

The Higher Education Commission ( HEC ) of Pakistan has officially opened the application window for the prestigious Omani Scholarship Program for Undergraduate Studies for the academic year 2026-27. Funded and offered by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman through the Omani Program for Cultural and Scientific Cooperation, this competitive initiative targets bright, young minds from Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) who wish to pursue their higher education abroad without financial barriers.

With the international educational landscape becoming increasingly expensive, this fully funded opportunity serves as a crucial gateway for talented youths. Selected candidates will have the chance to enroll in top-tier Omani higher education institutions across major academic fields like Engineering, Information Technology (IT), Humanities, and Sciences (excluding clinical medicine).

However, prospective applicants must act swiftly. The Higher Education Commission has established a strict application deadline of July 13, 2026 , leaving a narrow window for students to organize their paperwork and complete their digital submissions through the HEC scholarship portal.

Mandatory Requirement: The USAT Test Score

One of the most critical elements highlighted by the Higher Education Commission for this year's selection cycle is the mandatory requirement of the Undergraduate Studies Admission Test (USAT) administered by the Education Testing Council (ETC).

According to the official HEC guidelines, there will be no separate or special USAT test conducted specifically for the Omani Scholarship Program . Instead, applicants must already hold a valid USAT scorecard to be deemed eligible for nomination.

Critical Validity Window for USAT

• Eligible Test Dates: The HEC clarifies that only those students whose USAT test score was achieved on or after June 13, 2025 , will be accepted.

• Hard Cut-off: Anyone relying on a USAT scorecard from before June 13, 2025, or anyone who has never taken the test, will be automatically disqualified from the nomination pipeline.

• Selection Weight: The academic evaluation and final nomination lists compiled by HEC will heavily leverage these pre-existing USAT scores alongside intermediate metrics.

Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria

To maintain a transparent and high-standard selection process, the Sultanate of Oman and HEC have outlined precise eligibility benchmarks. Before initiating the online form, applicants must ensure they meet every single one of the following requirements:

1. Nationality: Applicants must be valid citizens of Pakistan or Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Crucially, individuals who are already residing within the Sultanate of Oman are legally ineligible to apply under this specific international student quota.

2. Academic Qualifications: Candidates must have completed their General Education Diploma or an equivalent Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC / Intermediate) during the 2025–2026 academic calendar.

3. Minimum Academic Standing: A minimum cumulative score of 75% marks in the qualifying high school/intermediate examinations is strictly required.

4. Age Limitation: The applicant must not exceed 21 years of age at the exact time of submitting their application.

5. Health Standards: Candidates must be certified as medically fit. This entails being physically and sensory healthy, with no medical conditions requiring specialized personal assistance during their tenure in Oman.

What Does the Fully Funded Omani Scholarship Program Cover?

Winning an international student placement under this bilateral cultural agreement ensures a completely debt-free path to a bachelor's degree. The Government of Oman provides a premium, comprehensive financial package that removes financial stress so scholars can focus entirely on their studies.

The primary scholarship benefits include:

• 100% Tuition Fee Waiver: Full coverage of academic tuition, laboratory fees, and enrollment costs across the entire standard duration of the undergraduate program (typically 4 years).

• Variable Monthly Stipend:

  • OMR 200 per month if the host Omani educational institution does not provide student accommodation.

  • OMR 140 per month if free, institutional student housing is provided on campus.

• Annual Flight Allowance: One round-trip economy class air ticket provided per academic year, ensuring scholars can travel back home to Pakistan/AJK during major university holidays.

• Healthcare Coverage: Free basic medical care within public health facilities located in the Sultanate of Oman.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply Online

Navigating the application process for HEC international scholarships requires precision. Below is the mandatory procedural layout that students must follow before the fast-approaching July 13, 2026 cutoff.

1.Register on the HEC Scholarship Portal: Immediate Action Required.

Visit the official portal at https://scholarship.hec.gov.pk . If you do not have an active account, create one using your verified CNIC or Passport details. Ensure your operational email and phone numbers are active.

2.Build and Complete Your Profile: Academic Documentation.

Log in and completely populate your profile fields. You must fill in your correct Matriculation/O-Level and Intermediate/A-Level marks, alongside your active USAT test score taken after June 13, 2025.

3.Select the Omani Scholarship Program: Form Selection.

Navigate to your main account dashboard, click on the "Learning Opportunities Abroad (LOA)" tab, and systematically select the "Omani Scholarship Program for Undergraduate Studies 2026-27" from the dropdown menu.

4.Review and Submit Electronically: Deadline: July 13, 2026.

Double-check all entered information. Remember that applications left in the "Saved" state will not be reviewed. You must click Submit . Print a copy of the completed application form for your personal records.

Essential Documents for Shortlisted Candidates

While physical submission isn't required today, competitive students should proactively gather and verify their dossiers. If you are nominated based on your USAT test score and intermediate metrics, you will be required to submit the following documents on short notice:

• A valid Pakistani/AJK Passport (with a validity extending beyond at least six months).

• High School / Intermediate Certificate and detailed academic transcripts.

• Apostille Attestation: Your educational certificates and transcripts must bear an official Apostille stamp verified directly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) , Pakistan.

• Recent passport-sized photographs taken against a plain white background.