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Dreaming of going to college, but worried about the costs? Scholarships can help you pay for tuition, books, and even daily expenses.
Many government agencies and independent foundations offer scholarships for college students. Find out if you qualify and how you can start your application.
Check Out CHED Scholarship Programs
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) offers financial assistance for students with special challenges. These include those from low-income homes, persons with disabilities (PWDs), or dependents of solo parents.
CHED scholars are required to take programs included in national priority programs.
Contact Details for All CHED Scholarships: Call or visit your region’s CHED office for requirements and the latest official link for online applications.
1. CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)
CMSP covers tuition and other school fees, book and connectivity allowance, and a stipend for living expenses. To qualify, you must be:
- A Filipino Senior High School graduate with a minimum General Weighted Average (GWA) of 93% or its equivalent
- From a family with a combined annual gross income of parents or legal guardian not exceeding ₱500,000
2. Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES)
Unlike merit-based scholarships, TES is need-based. It prioritizes students who are most financially disadvantaged. The TES prioritization categories are:
- Listahanan Students: Students listed in the latest Listahanan across all universities and colleges
- 4Ps Beneficiaries: Students in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), ranked by household per capita income
- Other Students from Low-Income Households: Students in Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) without access to State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), Private Non-Sectarian Local Institutions (PNSLs), and not in the first two groups
If you qualify, you get tuition subsidies for private universities, state universities, or local colleges.
3. Tulong Dunong
The government scholarship program covers part of the tuition costs of private colleges or universities. It provides ₱7,500 per semester or ₱15,000 per year.
You can qualify if you’re:
- A Filipino Senior High School graduate
- Enrolled in any first undergraduate degree program in SUCs, LUCs, or PHEIs included in the CHED Registry
- From a family with a combined annual gross income of parents or legal guardians not exceeding ₱500,000.
- Within the prescribed program duration
- Not a current beneficiary of TES, CHED Scholarship Programs (CSPs), or other national government-funded Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs)
Get Scholarships for Science Programs
Planning to take a science-based college program? You may qualify for a college scholarship from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and its agency, Science Education Institute (SEI).
The DOST-SEI scholarship provides a tuition fee grant of up to ₱40,000 a year and a monthly stipend of ₱8,000. It’s open to all Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) students or non-STEM students in the top 5% of their class.
Contact Details: Check the SEI E-scholarship application portal, email them at [email protected], or call 8330 8876, 8330 8826, (921) 526 0814, or (927) 886 8816.
Find Scholarships for OFW Dependents
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) provides scholarships for children of OFWs.
- Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP): A maximum of ₱60,000 a year for OFW dependents who are in the top 1,000 of the DOST’s national exams
- OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP): Provides ₱20,000 a year to qualified dependents of OFWs who earn less than OWWA’s guidelines
- Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program (CMWSP): Up to ₱60,000/year for migrant workers or descendants pursuing Science and Tech courses, funded by PCSO via OWWA
- Education and Livelihood Assistance Program for the Dependents of Deceased OFW Members (ELAP): Up to ₱10,000 per year in college assistance to dependents of deceased OFWs who were active OWWA members at the time of death, or dependents of OFWs who were sentenced to death abroad with at least one OWWA contribution
Contact Details: Visit the OWWA website or call the OWWA Hotline 1348.
Learn How to Approach Foundations or Non-Profit Organizations
Many non-profit organizations provide complete academic scholarships that also include internship opportunities.
1. Ayala Foundation
This private scholarship program supports deserving female students in public colleges and universities. It provides ₱40,000 per year and is renewable as long as the scholar maintains good academic standing.
Here are the qualifications for this scholarship.
- A female Filipino student
- Enrolled and studying in a public university or college
- With a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 85% and no failing grades
- Not a recipient of any other scholarship
- Able to demonstrate financial need
Contact Details: Call (632) 7759 8288, email [email protected], or message them on Facebook.
2. SM Foundation
SM Foundation’s college scholarship includes full tuition for its partner schools, a monthly allowance, and part-time job opportunities during your school breaks.
You can qualify if you’re:
- A Grade 12 graduate from either public or private schools
- A private school applicant holding a Department of Education (DepEd) voucher
- A private school applicant who completed Grade 10 in a public high school
- A Filipino student with a GWA of at least 92% (or its equivalent) for Grade 12 – 1st semester
- From a family with a total annual household income of at most ₱250,000
- Enrolled in a course in accounting, information technology, engineering, or education
Contact Details: Check the application portal, use the contact form, or call (632) 8857-0100 local 1678.
3. Aboitiz Foundation
Aboitiz scholars receive full tuition and a monthly allowance. They also get stipends while studying for board exams and special incentives for graduating with Latin honors or for being a board topnotcher.
To qualify, you must be:
- A sophomore student enrolled in any of their partner universities
- Enrolled in a degree program recognized by the Foundation
- Have a first-year college GWA of at least 88% or its equivalent
- With no dropped subjects, failing, or incomplete grades in any academic subject
- Without any record of disciplinary action
Contact Details: Send a message through the contact form, call (632) 8886 2800 local 12666, or email [email protected].
4. Megaworld Foundation
Megaworld Foundation’s scholarship covers full tuition and a monthly allowance via a Megaworld Foundation-issued ATM card. They also offer opportunities for volunteer work and careers after graduation within Megaworld and its affiliates.
You can be a scholar if you’re:
- An incoming college freshman with at least 85% average in senior high and passed the entrance exam/admission
- An incoming sophomore or junior with a GPA of at least 85% and full-load enrollment
- From a family with a combined annual income of at most ₱400,000
Contact Details: Call (632) 8894 6437 to 38, or email [email protected].
5. LANDBANK
The Iskolar ng LANDBANK program helps children and grandchildren of farmers and fishermen in the country’s 60 poorest provinces. The scholarship includes tuition and allowance.
Here are the qualifications for this scholarship.
- A child/grandchild of an agrarian reform beneficiary or small farmer/fisher
- Recommended by a LANDBANK client cooperative/association
- A top-performing graduating high school student endorsed by your principal
- Not receiving other scholarships
- From a family with a total annual income of at most ₱300,000 (exemptions considered on a case-by-case basis)
Contact Details: Call (632) 8405 7000 or email [email protected].
Ask If Your Preferred College has Financial Aid Programs
Most schools offer scholarships for students who have a high academic average and top entrance exam scores.
Here are just some of the university and college scholarship programs available.
1. Ateneo de Manila University
The university offers several types of scholarships based on academic performance or financial need.
- Ateneo Freshman Merit Scholarship: Top 50 applicants based on Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET) performance, academic ranking, and leadership roles receive 100% tuition and fees plus a ₱50,000 annual allowance.
- Director’s List Scholarship: 150 outstanding applicants with strong academics, co-curricular involvement, and ACET performance receive a ₱100,000 annual scholarship grant.
- Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres SJ Science Academic Scholarship: Valedictorians (100% tuition and fees) and salutatorians (50% tuition and fees) from public science senior high schools with excellent ACET results.
- Fr. Thomas B. Steinbugler SJ Academic Scholarship: Valedictorians (100% tuition and fees) and salutatorians (50% tuition and fees) from Jesuit senior high schools with excellent ACET results.
- Jose P. Rizal Academic Scholarship: Valedictorians (100% tuition and fees) and salutatorians (50% tuition and fees) from public senior high schools with excellent ACET results.
- Financial Aid Grants: Students with financial need may receive tuition and fee discounts of 25%-100%, plus possible assistance with books, transportation, food, and dormitory costs, based on need and academic performance.
- Magis Scholarship: Financial Aid scholars in the most financially constrained circumstances receive full tuition, living and food allowances, books and technology support, dorm or transport assistance, and airfare if applicable.
Contact Details: Email [email protected], or call the office of Admissions and Aid at (632) 8426 6001 local 5154 and 5155.
2. De La Salle University
The university has a wide range of scholarships and grants for both college and graduate students. Here are a few.
- Archer Achiever Scholarship: Top De La Salle University College Admission Test (DCAT) examinees automatically receive a full tuition and fees waiver.
- Star Scholarship: Top admission test performers selected through screening and interview receive full scholarship benefits, with opportunities to pursue a master’s degree, medical school (for BS Human Biology), or law at DLSU.
- Vaugirard Scholarship Program: Top DCAT examinees from Philippine public and science high schools receive a full tuition, miscellaneous, and laboratory fee waiver, plus a monthly stipend and Latin honors incentives.
- Gokongwei Grants: Engineering students receive a full tuition and fees waiver plus a monthly stipend.
- Br. Andrew Gonzalez Academic Scholarship: Top 1 (highest honors) graduates of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM), Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strands from La Salle district schools receive full tuition and fees starting freshman year.
- St. La Salle Financial Assistance Grant: Filipino students with financial need and strong academics may receive tuition assistance
- Athletic Scholarship: Varsity athletes may receive a full or partial tuition and/or fees waiver.
- Cultural Arts Tuition Discount: Members of accredited cultural groups may receive tuition discounts.
Contact Details: Email [email protected] or call the Office for Admissions and Scholarships at (632) 8524-4611 local 162.
3. University of Santo Tomas
UST offers four different types of college scholarships.
- Santo Tomas Academic Scholarship: Students with excellent academic performance receive academic scholarship benefits.
- San Lorenzo Ruiz Student Assistance Scholarship: Students with financial need who serve as student assistants (20-30 hours per week) receive support.
- Santo Domingo de Guzman Scholarship for the Gifted: Those who excel in arts, music, or sports also receive scholarship benefits.
- San Martin de Porres Equity Scholarship: Deserving students with financial need receive assistance.
Contact Details: Call (632) 340 61611 or 87861611 local 8276, or email [email protected].
4. University of Asia and the Pacific
The university looks beyond grades and provides tuition discounts for students who excel in extra-curricular activities.
- Merit Scholarship: Top applicants with at least a 90 high school average and 90th percentile University of Asia and the Pacific Entrance Exam (UAPEE) scores may receive up to 100% tuition and other fees coverage.
- Dr. Placido L. Mapa Scholarship Endowment: Selected top merit scholars receive 100% tuition and miscellaneous fees, a 10-month ₱8,000 monthly stipend, internet allowance, a laptop, and a professional development coach (offered by nomination; no separate application).
- Financial Assistance Scholarship: Students with financial need (family income below ₱800,000), at least an 85 high school average, and 85th percentile UAPEE scores may receive up to 100% tuition aid. Grantees render student assistant hours depending on the grant percentage.
- Athletic Scholarship: Student-athletes endorsed by the Center for Student Affairs may receive 25%-100% tuition discounts and/or non-tuition grants (stipend, board, and lodging for example) for one academic year, renewable upon meeting requirements.
- Arts Scholarship: Students who excel in arts and academics may receive 25%-100% tuition discounts and/or non-tuition grants. Currently available under the UA&P Chorale and renewable yearly upon meeting retention requirements.
- Unitas Grant: Dependents of eligible UA&P employees may receive partial to full tuition discounts, subject to HR validation.
Contact Details: Call (632) 8637-0912 to 26 or email [email protected].
5. Mapúa University
Mapúa provides scholarships for top students who graduated from high school with honors and maintain high grades in college.
- E.T. Yuchengco Scholarship: Top scholarship exam and interview scorers receive free matriculation, ₱20,000 annual stipend, and ₱12,000 annual book allowance. This is open to Mapúa SHS students (85%+ average) and freshmen with at least 80% Mapúa Program Placement Assessment (MPASS) score.
- Alfonso T. Yuchengco Scholarship: Public Science High School graduates approved under Income-Based Financial Assistance Program (IBFAP) with at least 70% MPASS score receive 40% tuition discount plus ₱40,000 annual stipend.
- Don Tomas Mapúa Scholarship: Incoming freshmen who graduated “with highest honors” receive 100% tuition discount for two consecutive terms.
- Academic Scholarship: President’s List students receive 100% tuition discount (QWA 1.00-1.50) or 50% tuition discount (QWA 1.51-1.75) for the succeeding term.
Contact Details: Call (632) 8247 5000 local 51230 or (915) 830 9340, or email [email protected]
Stay on Track for Every Scholarship Opportunity
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Now, you can focus on preparing a strong application and take one step closer to your educational goals.
