You have just graduated from Senior High School. Your next goal is a College Diploma. 

However, you have realized that college is costly and your family cannot afford it. How on this Earth will you fund your college education?

Although tuition is now free in State Universities and Colleges¹, there are other expenses you have to consider – books, transportation, daily living allowance, and uniforms. Certainly, these are not free. 

But don’t lose heart yet. CHED (Commission on Higher Education) offers scholarship grants that can fund your college education.

Thinking of being a CHED scholar? Read on to find out how you can be one.

Table of Contents

• At a Glance: CHED Scholarship Latest Updates
• What Are the CHED Scholarship Programs?
• Who Is Qualified To Apply for CHED Scholarship Programs?
• What Are the CHED Scholarship Program’s Priority Courses?
  • National Priority Programs
    • 1. Science and Mathematics
    • 2. Information Technology Education
    • 3. Engineering and Technology
    • 4. Architecture
    • 5. Business and Management
    • 6. Health Profession Education
    • 7. Maritime Education
    • 8. Social Sciences
    • 9. Teacher Education
    • 10. Multi and Interdisciplinary Cluster
  • Regional Priority Programs
• What Are the Requirements for the CHED Scholarship Program?
  • 1. Citizenship
  • 2. Academic
  • 3. Financial
• How To Apply for the CHED Scholarship Program
• What Are the Benefits of the CHED Scholarship Program?
  • 1. For scholars in SUCs/LUCs under State Scholarship Program (SSP)
  • 2. For Scholars in Private HEIs under Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA)
• How To Maintain CHED Scholarship
  • What is the CHED Scholarship Maintaining GWA?
  • What Are the CHED Scholarship’s Grounds for Termination?
• Tips and Warnings
  • 1. Aim to achieve high grades
  • 2. Submit additional requirements (if applicable)
  • 3. Regularly visit the CHEDRO website
• Frequently Asked Questions
  • 1. Is there an exam for the CHED Scholarship Program?
  • 2. Does the CHED Scholarship have a Return Service Agreement?
  • 3. Do I have to enroll in a university or college first before applying for the CHED Scholarship?
  • 4. Can I submit my application directly to the CHED Regional Office?
  • 5. When do I have to refund my CHED Scholarship?
  • 6. What is the CHED-UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES)?
  • 7. Are there CHED Scholarships for graduate students?
  • 8. Are there CHED Scholarships for medical students?
  • 9. Are there CHED Scholarships for those who want to study abroad?
  • 10. Can I avail of the CHED Scholarship and another government-funded scholarship at the same time?
• References

At a Glance: CHED Scholarship Latest Updates

• March 2022: Application for CHED scholarship for the academic year 2022-2023 is temporarily suspended due to insufficient funds². Wait for further announcements about when the application will be continued.
• July 2021: Online application for CHED Scholarship Academic Year 2021 – 2022³ is open from July 1 to August 15, 2021. Applicants must submit their application via the online modality preferred by the CHED Regional Office. If you’re in the National Capital Region, for example, the online application portal can be accessed here. Continue reading this article for the updated list of priority programs and financial benefits. For this school year, CHED has 7269 slots for qualified students nationwide.

What Are the CHED Scholarship Programs?

CHED offers scholarship grants⁴ to incoming freshman students. CHED scholars must enroll in a recognized priority program of:

• Private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
• State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
• Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) with Certificate of Program Compliance

Qualified students will be awarded under the following programs:

• State Scholarship Program (SSP). Awarded to qualified students who will enroll in any State University Colleges (SUCs) or accredited Local University Colleges (LUCs).
• Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA). Awarded to qualified students who will enroll in any Private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

Both SSP and PESFA merit Full and Half-Scholarships.

Who Is Qualified To Apply for CHED Scholarship Programs?

To be qualified as a CHED scholar, you must be:

• A Filipino citizen
• A graduating Senior High School student with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 93% – 95% for Half Scholarship and 96% and above for Full Scholarship
• From a family with a maximum Annual Gross Income of Php 400,000.

If your family’s annual gross income exceeds Php 400,000, you must present:

•  A written certification that one of your family members has a medical illness; or
• A certification that two or more dependents are college students.

What Are the CHED Scholarship Program’s Priority Courses?

You must pursue a CHED National Priority Program or a Regional Priority Program of your CHEDRO so that you can enjoy the scholarship’s benefits. 

Shown below is the updated list of 2021 CHED Scholarship Priority Courses⁵:

National Priority Programs

1. Science and Mathematics

• Applied Physics / Physics
• Applied Mathematics / Mathematics
• Applied Statistics / Statistics
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Geology
• Human Biology
• Marine Biology
• Marine Science
• Meteorology
• Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

2. Information Technology Education

• Computer Science
• Cyber Security
• Entertainment and Multimedia Computing / Game Development and Animation
• Information System
• Information Technology
• Library and Information Science

3. Engineering and Technology

• Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering
• Ceramic Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics Engineering / Electronics and Communications Engineering
• Food Engineering
• Geodetic Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Manufacturing / Production Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Mining Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Robotics Engineering
• Sanitary Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Aircraft Maintenance Technology
• Aviation Related Programs
• Engineering Technology
• Industrial Technology
• Mechatronics Engineering Technology

4. Architecture

• Architecture
• Fine Arts
• Interior Design
• Landscape Architecture
• Environmental Planning

5. Business and Management

• Accountancy
• Business Analytics (straight or major)
• Hospitality Management / Hotel and Restaurant Management
• Tourism Management / Tourism

6. Health Profession Education

• Doctor of Dental Medicine
• Doctor of Optometry
• Medical Technology / Medical Laboratory Science
• Midwifery
• Nursing
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Occupational Therapy
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy
• Radiologic Technology
• Respiratory Therapy
• Speech-Language Pathology

7. Maritime Education

• Marine Engineering
• Marine Transportation

8. Social Sciences

• Community Development
• Human Services (Guidance and Counselling)
• Indigenous Peoples Studies / Education
• Peace Studies / Education
• Psychology
• Social Work

9. Teacher Education

• Secondary Education Major in Science and Mathematics
• Culture and Arts
• Early Childhood Education
• Special Needs Education
• Sports and Exercise Science

10. Multi and Interdisciplinary Cluster

• Agribusiness
• Agroforestry
• Data Science and Analytics
• Disaster Risk Management / Climate Change
• Renewable / Sustainable Energy

Regional Priority Programs

These are the programs that the CHED Regional Offices will properly distribute according to the regional needs and availability of slots.

What Are the Requirements for the CHED Scholarship Program?

Once you have decided to apply for the CHED Scholarship Program, you have to prepare these requirements:

1. Citizenship

• Birth Certificate (Certified True Copy)

2. Academic

• For incoming freshman students: High School Report Card
• For graduating senior high school students: Certified True Copy of Grades for Grade 11 and 1st Semester of Grade 12 

3. Financial

Any of the following:

• Income Tax Return (ITR) of Parents or Guardian (Latest)
• Certificate of Tax Exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
• Certificate of Indigency from Barangay or DSWD
• Case study report from DSWD
• For children of OFWs and seafarers: Contract or Proof of Income (Latest Copy)

How To Apply for the CHED Scholarship Program

You may apply for a CHED scholarship by registering and submitting the documentary requirements to the preferred online modality of the CHED Regional Office (CHEDRO) where the school you have graduated from is based. 

You may check your CHEDRO online application portal below.

Note: CHED Regional Offices have their own scholarship application instructions. 

• CHEDRO I
• CHEDRO II
• CHEDRO III
• CHEDRO IV-A (CALABARZON)
• CHEDRO IV-B (MIMAROPA) – Application Form via Google Form
• CHEDRO V
• CHEDRO VI
• CHEDRO VII
• CHEDRO VIII
• CHEDRO IX
• CHEDRO X – Application Form via Google Form
• CHEDRO XI
• CHEDRO XII
• CHED Caraga
• CHED CAR
• CHED NCR (not yet open, you may check their website or Facebook page for updates).

To inform the applicants that they’ve been qualified, CHEDRO usually sends the Individual Notice of Award (NOA) or notify the list of awardees through HEIs.  

What Are the Benefits of the CHED Scholarship Program?

The type of financial benefits that CHED scholars will receive depends on the type of scholarship awarded. Here’s a summary of the CHED Scholarship benefits:

1. For scholars in SUCs/LUCs under State Scholarship Program (SSP)

a. Full SSP

• Annual Stipend of Php 70, 000 (or Php 35,000 per semester) 
• Book/Connectivity Allowance of Php 10,000 (or Php 5,000 per semester)

b. Half SSP

• Annual Stipend of Php 35,000 (or Php 17,500 per semester)
• Book/Connectivity Allowance of Php 5,000 (or Php 2,500 per semester)

2. For Scholars in Private HEIs under Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA)

a. Full PESFA

• Tuition and other school fees: Php 40,000 annually (or Php 20,000 per semester)
• Annual Stipend of Php 70,000 (or Php 35,000 per semester) 
• Book/Connectivity Allowance of Php 10,000 (or Php 5,000 per semester)

 b. Half PESFA

• Tuition and other school fees: Php 20,000 annually (or Php 10,000 per semester)
• Annual Stipend of Php 35,000 (or Php 17,500 per semester)
• Book/Connectivity Allowance of Php 5,000 (Php 2,500 per semester)

How To Maintain CHED Scholarship

Once you have been qualified as a CHED scholar, there are two things you need to remember to maintain it – the CHED scholarship’s grade qualification and the grounds for termination.

What is the CHED Scholarship Maintaining GWA?

The CHED Scholarship maintaining grades are as follows:

• If you are a SSP or PESFA Full-Scholar: 85%
• If you are a SSP or PESFA Half-Scholar: 80%

Learn how to compute your General Weighted Average (GWA) here.

What Are the CHED Scholarship’s Grounds for Termination?

• Enrollment in a non-priority program
• Not carrying a regular load (number of units)
• Shifting to another program or transferring to another HEI without concerned CHEDRO’s approval
• Submission of fake documents
• Offenses involving moral turpitude
• Participation in a fraternity or sorority hazing activities
• Non-completion of the degree program

Tips and Warnings

1. Aim to achieve high grades

As per Memorandum Order No. 08 Series of 2019, CHED uses the following criteria to rank applicants: 

Since a large portion of the criteria will be based on your grades, make sure that your Grade 11 and First Semester Grade 12 grades are impressive enough to increase your chances of being qualified.

2. Submit additional requirements (if applicable)

If you belong to any special group of persons below, you need to provide additional documentary requirements:

• Underprivileged and homeless citizens under RA 7279
• Persons With Disability (PWD) under RA 7277
• Solo Parents and/or their Dependents under RA 8872
• Senior Citizens under RA 8894
• Indigenous People under RA 8371 

You must submit certifications and/or IDs issued by the appropriate offices or agencies. Applicants belonging to this special group of persons are given additional five points in the total score.

3. Regularly visit the CHEDRO website

Keep yourself updated by regularly checking your CHEDRO official site. For the list of regional offices and their official websites, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is there an exam for the CHED Scholarship Program?

CHED Scholarship has no qualifying exam. You only need to submit the requirements and meet the scholarship’s qualifications.

2. Does the CHED Scholarship have a Return Service Agreement?

Unlike DOST Scholarship, the CHED Scholarship doesn’t involve a return service agreement that scholars need to comply with after enjoying its benefits.

3. Do I have to enroll in a university or college first before applying for the CHED Scholarship?

No, but CHEDRO online application will ask for the college and course you intend to enroll in. 

4. Can I submit my application directly to the CHED Regional Office?

Whereas previous CHED applications were done manually, all applications for CHED Scholarship 2021 – 2022 will be through the online modality preferred by the CHED Regional Office.

5. When do I have to refund my CHED Scholarship?

You only have to refund the benefits you received if you had committed any of the following:

• Enrollment in any of CHED non-priority program
• Submission of fake documents
• An offense involving moral turpitude
• Involvement in any fraternity or sorority hazing activities

6. What is the CHED-UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES)?

CHED-UniFAST TES is a government grant-in-aid program established to support the educational expenses of qualified college students. TES prioritizes the following categories:

• TES and ESGPPA (Expanded Student’s Grants-in-aid program for poverty alleviation) grantees.
• Students enrolled in private HEIs in a municipality that has no SUC/LUC.
• Students included in Listahan 2.0 of DSWD-National Household Targeting Office and ranked according to per capita household income.
• Students not included in Listahan 2.0 of DSWD-National Household Targeting Office and ranked according to per capita household income based on the proof of income from the UniFAST board.

Qualifications:

• Filipino citizens enrolled in any SUCs, CHED-Recognized LUCs, and programs for private HEIs under the CHED registry
• Does not exceed the HEIs maximum residency policy

Requirements:

• Certificate of Enrollment
• Assessment of Fees
• Certificate of Residency
• Photocopy of PWD ID, if applicable

How to Apply for CHED-UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES):

1. Contact your school’s TES Focal Person. After your enrollment, contact your school’s TES Focal Person for the application process.
2. TES Focal Person will then submit your information to the TES portal.

CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) Benefits:

• If enrolled in a SUC/LUC: Free tuition + Php 40,000 per academic year (other education-related expenses).
• If enrolled in a private HEI: Php 20,000 (tuition and other school fees) + Php 40,000 per academic year (other educational expenses).
• Additional Benefits: Php 30, 000 per academic year for persons with disability; Php 10,000 (one-time reimbursement) for board or licensure exams.

7. Are there CHED Scholarships for graduate students?

Yes, CHED has Scholarships for Instructors’ Knowledge Advancement Program (SIKAP)⁶ which is open for teaching personnel in an HEI who want to pursue advanced studies in identified universities in the Philippines.

Qualifications:

• Filipino citizens employed as teaching personnel in an HEI or have been employed for the last 12 months at the time of application
• Had been admitted to an eligible graduate program
• If admitted to a Master’s program, the applicant must not be more than 52 years old 
• If admitted to a Doctorate program, the applicant must not be more than 50 years old
• With no relative up to the fourth consanguinity or affinity who is working at the CHEDRO where the application is being processed

CHED SIKAP Benefits: 

• Tuition and other school fees (both for applicants taking Master’s and Doctor’s degrees) 
• Monthly living allowance: Php 25,000 (Master’s degree) or Php  33,000 (Doctorate degree)
• Book allowance: Php 12,000 per academic year (both for Masters and Doctorate Degree)
• Transportation Assistance: Php 12,000 per academic year (both for Masters and Doctorate Degree)
• Thesis/Dissertation/Capstone Project Allowance: Php 50,000 (Master’s degree) or Php 100,000 (Doctorate degree)

8. Are there CHED Scholarships for medical students?

Yes, CHED has Cash Grant to Medical Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs)⁷ that aims to provide tuition subsidy and financial assistance to medical students enrolled in SUCs.

Qualification:

New or continuing Filipino medical students taking Doctor of Medicine program in any of these SUCs:

• Bicol University
• Cagayan State University
• Mariano State University
• Mindanao State University
• University of Northern Philippines
• University of the Philippines Manila – College of Medicine
• University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences (Palo, Leyte)
• West Visayas State University

How to Apply for CGMS-SUCs:

1. Submit the accomplished application form to the SUC concerned. You may access the application form here.
2. Wait for the result. SUC will evaluate your submitted documents and issue a Notice of Award (NOA) which you must accept.

Other Information:

You must submit your application before the start of the Academic Year.

9. Are there CHED Scholarships for those who want to study abroad?

Yes, CHED offers foreign scholarships and training programs. An example is the SEAMEO SEARCA Graduate Scholarship Programs (2022 – 2023)⁸ which offers MS and Ph.D. Scholarships in agriculture and related fields. For more international scholarships that CHED offers, refer here.

10. Can I avail of the CHED Scholarship and another government-funded scholarship at the same time?

As per CHED Memorandum Order No. 08 Series of 2019, CHED scholars are entitled only to one government-funded scholarship. Once you become a CHED scholar, you cannot avail of other government-funded scholarship programs such as DOST Scholarship and OWWA Scholarship.  Meanwhile, there are no sections in the CHED Scholarship policies and guidelines that indicate restrictions on having a local government-funded scholarship. However, it is still helpful to ask your CHEDRO about this matter.

References

1. Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (2017).
2. Yang, A. (2022). CHED suspends scholarship applications for freshmen due to budget issues. Retrieved 28 March 2022, from https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/03/03/2164706/ched-suspends-scholarship-applications-freshmen-due-budget-issues
3. Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (2021). Call for Applications for the CHED Scholarship Program (CSP) for Academic Year (AY) 2021 – 2022. Quezon City, Philippines.
4. Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (2019). CHED Memorandum Order No. 08, Series of 2019 (Policies and Guidelines for CHED Scholarship Programs (CSPs). Quezon City, Philippines.
5. Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (2021). CHED Memorandum Order No. 10, Series of 2021: Priority Programs for CHED Scholarship Programs (CSPs) Effective Academic Year (AY) 2021-2022.
6. Scholarships for Instructors’ Knowledge Advancement Program (SIKAP). Retrieved 19 July 2021, from https://ched.gov.ph/sikap/
7. Cash Grant to Medical Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs). Retrieved 19 July 2021, from https://ched.gov.ph/stufaps/
8. Commission on Higher Education (CHED). (2021). SEAMEO SEARCA Graduate Scholarship Programs for SY 2022-2023. Quezon City, Philippines.