Bachelor Scholarships in Nepal (2026) Full Guide for Students After (+2) Class 12

Last updated: 25 June 2026

Several genuine bachelor scholarship programs exist in Nepal in 2026. From Pokhara University’s 1,328 fully funded seats across Science, Management, and Humanities to Kathmandu University’s merit and need based scheme that admits one scholarship student per 24 fee paying students. The constitutional 45 percent reserved quota applies to all public institutions and covers women, Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi, disabled, and remote area students with partial to full tuition waivers. Most scholarship application windows open between June and August alongside regular university admissions, so a student who misses the admission cycle also misses the scholarship opportunity for that year.

For understanding your GPA before applying, use our NEB GPA calculator to confirm your academic standing. For the full guide on how to apply for bachelor admission including eligibility and documents, you can read our guide on how to apply for bachelor admission in Nepal.

Government Reserve Quota Scholarships (The 45 Percent Rule)

The Nepal Constitution mandates that 45 percent of all higher education scholarship seats be reserved for underprivileged groups. This is not a competitive scholarship you apply for separately. It is built into the regular admission process at every public university and college in Nepal.

University Grants Commission provides scholarships to increase access to higher education for students with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, Dalit students, children of martyrs and conflict victims, Mukta Kamlari, and Muslim women students.

The breakdown of the 45 percent reserved seats across categories is as follows. Women receive 33 percent of scholarship seats. Janajati or indigenous communities receive 27 percent. Madhesi students receive 20 percent. Dalit students receive 9 percent. Students from remote areas receive 4 percent. Disabled students receive 2 percent. Muslim women receive 2 percent. These categories overlap and are not mutually exclusive from the total 45 percent allocation, so the combined percentages exceed 45. Institutions apply their own internal distribution logic within this constitutional mandate.

The benefit is a partial to full tuition waiver at any public university or affiliated college. The exact amount varies by institution. Some institutions waive 100 percent of tuition for Dalit students. Others provide partial waivers and preference in hostel allocation.

To access this scholarship, indicate your category on the regular college admission form and attach your category certificate. There is no separate application process. The certificate must be issued by the appropriate authority, such as a Dalit certificate from the National Dalit Commission or DAO, a Janajati certificate from the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, a disability card from the Social Welfare Council, or an income certificate from the District Administration Office.

This scholarship is the most broadly accessible scholarship in Nepal. If you belong to any reserved category, make sure to apply for it during your regular college admission rather than waiting for a separate announcement.

UGC Nepal Higher Education Scholarship

The University Grants Commission, located at Sanothimi, Bhaktapur, runs Nepal’s national level need based scholarship program that is separate from university specific scholarships.

The UGC scholarship is a government funded financial support program for higher education students in Nepal. It is specifically designed to help students from marginalized and disadvantaged backgrounds continue their education at bachelor’s or master’s level.

Eligibility requires being a first year bachelor’s student at a recognized Nepali institution and belonging to one of the following groups, disabled, economically disadvantaged, Dalit, freed Kamalari, Muslim women, or children of martyrs and conflict victims. Age limits apply, generally under 25 years for bachelor’s programs.

The award provides partial tuition support plus a monthly living stipend. The exact amounts are updated each fiscal year so confirm current amounts at ugcnepal.edu.np when applying.

The application deadline is annually in Chaitra, which falls in March or April. For fiscal year 2082/83 the deadline was April 8, 2026. Expect similar timing for 2083/84 in March or April 2027.

Required documents include citizenship certificate, academic transcripts, an enrollment letter from your college, income certificate from the DAO or Ward Office, and relevant category certificates such as disability ID or Dalit certificate.

Apply online through ugcnepal.edu.np when the annual notice is published. The UGC scholarship requires a completely separate application from your university admission and must not be confused with university specific programs.

Pokhara University Bachelor Level Scholarship 2083

Pokhara University offers 1,328 scholarship seats at bachelor level across Science and Technology with 501 seats, Management with 788 seats, and Humanities with 39 seats. Programs include BE, BBA, BCA, BHM, BIT, BCIS, and more. Eligible categories include Dalit, Janajati, Remote, Disabled, Martyrs, Madhesi, and Women.

Among the 1,328 seats, 60 percent are open merit category and 40 percent are reserved. A minimum of 35 percent marks must be obtained in the scholarship entrance exam to pass. The scholarship entrance examination carries a total of 150 marks. Questions are based on the curriculum of SLCE which is Class 11 and 12 or equivalent level.

For the 2082 batch, the online application form submission started on Shrawan 09, 2082 (July 25, 2025) with a deadline of Shrawan 30, 2082 (August 15, 2025). For the 2083 batch (2026 academic year), the application window is expected to follow a similar July to August timeline. Check scholarship.pu.edu.np for exact 2083 dates.

Priority is given to students who studied in a public government school from at least grades 6 to 10. Candidates who have studied in a public school from at least grades 6 to 10 and have passed the SEE examination must provide a recommendation letter certified by the principal of the relevant school and the education chief of the relevant local authority, stating that the candidate has studied in a public school.

Required documents include your Nepali citizenship certificate, SEE or SLC marksheet and character certificate, Class 12 marksheet and character certificate, and relevant category certificates if applying under reserved seats. For engineering programs, additional subject specific requirements apply.

The scholarship award is full tuition waiver for the duration of the bachelor’s program at the assigned PU constituent or affiliated college. Students must maintain required grades each year to continue receiving the scholarship.

Apply online through scholarship.pu.edu.np. Candidates who qualify in the merit list then select their preferred program and college through the portal before seat allocation is finalized.

Kathmandu University Merit and Need Based Scholarships

Kathmandu University operates a combined merit and need based scholarship scheme where approximately one scholarship seat is given for every 24 to 30 fee paying students across all its schools including Science, Engineering, Management, Arts, and Medical Sciences.

Selection considers both your KU entrance exam score and your demonstrated financial need. Students with high KUCAT scores and documented economic hardship are prioritized. Some scholarship awards also include a monthly project stipend of approximately NPR 15,000 for two years in select programs.

To apply, indicate your scholarship interest on the KU admission application form at apply.ku.edu.np and submit your financial documents including family income certificate from the DAO, academic transcripts, and citizenship. Shortlisted students may be called for an interview.

Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 each academic year to continue the scholarship. Scholarships are renewable annually subject to this academic performance requirement.

The application window is concurrent with KU’s main admission cycle which typically runs from June to August. Contact KU’s Office of Student Affairs or visit ku.edu.np for the exact current year scholarship notice.

Tribhuvan University IOE Merit Scholarship

The Institute of Engineering under Tribhuvan University automatically awards merit scholarships to top performers in its engineering entrance examination. No separate application is needed beyond appearing in the IOE entrance exam itself.

Up to 25 percent of admitted engineering students can receive a scholarship based on their entrance rank. The scholarship covers 50 to 100 percent of tuition depending on the specific rank percentile achieved. Higher ranks earn larger tuition waivers.

The IOE entrance exam is typically held in July each year. Application deadlines for the entrance exam registration fall in June. Results determine both admission and scholarship eligibility simultaneously. Students must maintain satisfactory semester grades to continue the scholarship.

This is one of the most valuable scholarships for students targeting engineering because it is automatic and covers a large share of admitted students at TU’s engineering constituent campuses including Pulchowk, Thapathali, and others.

TU Faculty of Management Scholarships (CMAT Based)

Tribhuvan University’s Faculty of Management awards both merit and reserved scholarships for BBA, BBS, BIM, BHM, and related programs at TU affiliated colleges. Approximately 30 percent of management scholarships go to open merit candidates and 70 percent are reserved for categories including Dalit, indigenous, remote, and other underprivileged groups.

The CMAT or Central Management Admission Test is the gateway. TU FoM opened the 2083 CMAT application period on June 15, 2026, with the exam scheduled for August 7, 2026. Students who score well in CMAT and indicate scholarship interest during admission are considered for tuition waivers at their enrolled college.

Fees and exact waiver amounts vary by affiliated college. Some TU campuses waive full tuition for merit and reserved scholarship recipients while others provide partial waivers. Always confirm with your specific college at admission time.

Purbanchal University Scholarships

Purbanchal University designates approximately 10 percent of bachelor’s seats across its faculties for scholarship recipients. The Faculty of Engineering provides 5 percent open merit seats and 5 percent reserved seats as scholarship awards for the top entrance exam performers.

Scholarship seats are awarded through the PU entrance exam conducted annually through the puexam.edu.np portal. No separate scholarship application is required. The scholarship automatically applies to the top qualifying candidates during the seat allocation process.

Students from reserved categories should prepare their Dalit, Janajati, remote area, or disability certificates before applying to ensure they are considered under the appropriate quota.

Contact Purbanchal University’s Faculty of Engineering at foe@pue.edu.np or check purbanchaluniversity.edu.np for the 2083 scholarship and entrance exam schedule.

Provincial Government Scholarships

Provincial governments in Nepal also run their own scholarship programs for students from their province. These tend to have very few seats but cover the full tuition for technical programs.

Bagmati Province announced a technical scholarship for the fiscal year 2082/83 covering specific programs including MBBS, BAMS, Veterinary, Agriculture, Civil Engineering, IT Engineering, and Nursing. The deadline for that cycle was June 24, 2026 (Ashadh 10, 2083). Gandaki Province similarly funds one tuition free seat each in select KU programs including Environmental Engineering and BSc Agriculture for top performing local students.

To access provincial scholarships you must be a permanent resident of that province. Required documents typically include a residence certificate, citizenship, income certificate, entrance exam result, and local recommendation letters. Check your Provincial Directorate of Education Development or Social Development Ministry website for current year notices.

Khwopa Engineering College Scholarship (PU Affiliated)

Khwopa Engineering College in Bhaktapur, affiliated with Purbanchal University, offers tiered merit scholarships based on your Plus 2 or (+2) Class 12 GPA.

Students with (+2) Class 12 CGPA of 3.90 or above receive a 50 percent first semester tuition waiver. CGPA of 3.80 to 3.89 receives 40 percent. CGPA of 3.60 to 3.79 receives 30 percent. CGPA of 3.40 to 3.59 receives 20 percent. CGPA of 3.20 to 3.39 receives 10 percent. An additional 10 percent waiver applies for students who studied in government public schools.

Separate provisions exist for economically disadvantaged, single parent, and differently abled students. A student can only receive one scholarship which is the highest level for which they qualify.

Contact Khwopa Engineering College at info@khec.edu.np or call 01-5122098 for current details.

NGO and Foundation Scholarships

Several NGOs offer bachelor level scholarships for students from specific backgrounds.

HELP (Helambu Education and Livelihood Partnership) Bachelor’s Scholarship provides NPR 550,000 total over 4 to 5 years of bachelor’s study to two students each year, typically one male and one female. The catch is that this scholarship is exclusively for students who previously received a HELP SEE scholarship during their secondary schooling. If you are not a former HELP scholar, you are not eligible. Applications open around October each year through help.org.np.

Nepal Youth Foundation works through referrals and social workers rather than open applications. NYF supports students from oppressed groups and financially vulnerable families with comprehensive funding covering tuition, housing, materials, and living expenses. Contact NYF at info@nepalyouthfoundation.org if you have a case worker or referral.

The Food Security Education Project or FSEP offers approximately 20 full or partial scholarships per year for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in Agriculture, Food Security Sciences, or Environmental Science at Nepali universities. Applications typically open in November and close in December each year through foodsecurityed.org.

Indian Government Scholarships for Nepali Students in Nepal

The Government of India’s Golden Jubilee Scholarship Scheme, administered through the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, provides annual financial support to Nepali first year undergraduate students enrolled in specific programs at recognized Nepali institutions.

Eligibility requires being a Nepali citizen aged 17 to 22, enrolled in the first year of MBBS, BDS, BE, B.Tech, BAMS, or a three year general degree, scoring at least 70 percent in your (+2) Class 12 examination, and having a family annual income below NPR 200,000.

The award is NPR 48,000 per year for five year MBBS or four year BE and B.Tech programs, and NPR 36,000 per year for three year degrees. The scholarship is renewed annually upon submitting certified proof of passing each academic year.

Applications are submitted online through goischolarship.com.np when the scheme opens, typically in October or November. Contact the Education Wing of the Indian Embassy at attacheedu.kathmandu@mea.gov.in for the current year’s notice.

Global UGRAD Exchange Program (For Currently Enrolled Students)

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program, administered by the Fulbright Commission or USEF Nepal, provides a fully funded one semester exchange in the United States for Nepali students already enrolled in a Nepali university.

This is not a degree scholarship. It is a non degree one semester academic exchange covering airfare, J 1 visa, health insurance, tuition, accommodation, and a living stipend. The total value is approximately USD 15,000 or more per student.

Eligibility requires being a Nepali citizen currently enrolled full time in a Nepali bachelor’s program in first or second year with at least one year remaining after the exchange, being aged 18 to 25, and having strong English proficiency.

Applications typically open in November and close in mid December for the following year’s exchange. Apply through USEF Nepal which handles the Fulbright Commission in Nepal. Check usefnepal.org for current year announcements.

How to Maximize Your Scholarship Chances in 2026

The most important practical step is to apply for multiple scholarships simultaneously rather than waiting for one result before applying to another. Most scholarships have windows that overlap, so timing your applications across several categories at once is more efficient than sequential applications.

For the government reserve quota, start by obtaining all relevant category certificates before the admission season begins. Dalit, Janajati, and disability certificates can take weeks to process at government offices. Starting the certificate collection process in April or May ensures you have everything ready when admission opens in June.

For merit based scholarships like Pokhara University and IOE TU, your entrance exam performance is the determining factor. Preparing seriously for these exams, which test (+2) Class 12 level content, is the single most effective investment you can make.

For university level need based scholarships like KU, your income certificate from the DAO and the strength of your financial need documentation alongside your academic merit determines selection. Obtain a current fiscal year income certificate rather than an old one.

For the detailed admission process including eligibility and required documents across universities, you can read our guides on how to apply for bachelor admission in Nepal and documents required for bachelor admission in Nepal.

Application Deadline Summary for 2026

Government reserve quota applications happen simultaneously with college admissions, generally June to August 2026 at each institution.

Pokhara University bachelor scholarship 2083 applications are expected in the July to August 2026 window based on past years. Check scholarship.pu.edu.np for the exact 2083 notice.

KU admission and scholarship indication happens concurrently in June to August 2026 at apply.ku.edu.np.

IOE TU entrance scholarship is automatically assigned at the time of entrance exam results, expected in July 2026.

TU CMAT for Management scholarship consideration has the application window open from June 15, 2026 with the exam on August 7, 2026.

UGC Higher Education Scholarship for fiscal year 2083/84 is expected around March to April 2027 based on the annual Chaitra deadline pattern.

Indian GJSS applications are expected to open in October to November 2026.

HELP Bachelor Scholarship opens in approximately October 2026 for former HELP scholars.

FSEP Agriculture Scholarship typically opens in November 2026 for the following year’s cohort.

Global UGRAD applications open approximately November 2026 for the 2027 to 2028 exchange year.

Final Thoughts

Bachelor scholarships in Nepal in 2026 are genuinely available and accessible but they require awareness, early preparation, and precise timing. The constitutional 45 percent reserve quota is the most broadly accessible and least competitive option for students from reserved categories. The Pokhara University scholarship with 1,328 seats across all three major faculties is the largest merit based scholarship program currently available through a single university.

The critical mistake most students make is not applying for scholarships at all because they assume they will not qualify. Another common mistake is applying too late after the admission window has already closed. Scholarship and admission are inseparable at most Nepali universities. If you want a scholarship, you apply during admission, not after.

For the complete picture of admission eligibility including minimum GPA requirements across different universities and programs, you can read our guide on minimum GPA required for bachelor admission in Nepal. For a complete document checklist, you can read our guide on documents required for bachelor admission in Nepal.

Frequently Asked Questions