Scholarships & Financial Assistance

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CHED – UniFAST Scholarships (RA 10931)

Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST)

The Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act, or UniFAST — also known as Republic Act No. 10687 — was signed into law in October 15, 2015. UniFAST reconciles, improves, strengthens, expands, and puts under one body all government-funded modalities of Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs) for tertiary education – and special purpose education assistance – in both public and private institutions. These modalities include scholarships, grants-in-aid, student loans and other specialized forms of StuFAPs formulated by the UniFAST Board.

The UniFAST law – and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) – are intended to make the implementation of StuFAPs in the tertiary level more effective, efficient, and politically-neutral or free of political labeling. For more information, visit: https://unifast.gov.ph/uni-hist.html

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Free Higher Education (FHE)

Republic Act 10931, SECTION 4: Free Higher Education in SUCs and LUCs. — All Filipino students who are either currently enrolled at the time of the effectivity of this Act, or shall enroll at any time thereafter, in courses in pursuance of a bachelor’s degree, certificate degree, or any comparable undergraduate degree in any SUC and LUC shall be exempt from paying tuition and other school fees for units enrolled in.

Eligibility

  1. Filipino Citizen
  2. Meets the admission and retention policies of the SUC/LUC
  3. No previous undergraduate degree
  4. Not overstaying in the program (ex. 4 or 5 years + 1-year grace period)

Benefits – Free Tuition and 13 Other School Fees (TOSF)

Higher Education Institutions

  1. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
  2. CHED-recognized Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs)

For more information visit CHED FHE page: https://unifast.gov.ph/fhe.html

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Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES)

A grant-in-aid program that supports the full or partial cost of tertiary education of priority students in SUCs, CHED recognized LUCs and private higher education institutions (HEIs).

Eligibility

  1. Filipino Citizen
  2. Meets the admission and retention policies of the SUC/LUC
  3. No previous undergraduate degree
  4. Not overstaying in the program (ex. 4 or 5 years + 1-year grace period)

Benefits – (Starting Fiscal Year 2023)

  • SUC/LUC: ₱20,000 per Academic Year
  • PHEI: ₱27,000 per Academic Year
  • TES-3A – (Person with Disability): ₱10,000 per Academic Year
  • TES-3B – (Board/Licensure Exam Takers): ₱8,000 (one-time reimbursement)

Documentary Requirements

  • Certificate of Registration/Enrollment
  • Certificate of Residency (for private No SUC/LUC Category)
  • PWD ID (if applicable)

Note: Subject to prioritization and the availability of funds.

Prioritization for AY 2024-2025 and onwards

  1. Students under the most updated Listahanan for all SUCs, LUCs, Private HEIs, and PNSLs;
  2. Students included in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), ranked according to household per capita income for all SUCs, LUCs, Private HEIs, including PNSLs; and,
  3. The remaining slots are to be allocated to other poor students in Private HEIs with no SUC/LUC or PNSL, not included in the 1st and 2nd prioritization categories.

Higher Education Institutions

  1. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
  2. CHED-recognized Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs)
  3. Private HEIs (PHEI)

For more information visit CHED TES page: https://unifast.gov.ph/tes.html

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Tulong Dunong Program (TDP-TES)

Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) aims to support at least the partial cost of tertiary education, inclusive of education-related expenses of the grantee. TDP is a subsidy under the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) Program.

Eligibility

  1. Filipino Citizen
  2. Combined household gross income (parents/guardians) not exceeding P400,000.00
  3. Enrolled in any first undergraduate degree program in SUCs, LUCs or private higher education institutions
  4. Not a beneficiary of the TES, CHED Scholarship Programs (CSPs) and other national government-funded student financial assistance programs (StuFAPs)

Benefits : ₱7,500 per regular semester (subject to prioritization and the availability of funds)

Documentary Requirements

◙ Continuing Grantees

  • Certified true copy/electronically generated Certificate of Enrolment (COE)/ Certificate of Registration (COR) with number of units as proof of enrollment
  • Certified true copy of Leave of Absence (LOA) submitted to HEI for returning students who failed to enroll one semester in one academic year (if applicable)

◙ New Applicants

  • TDP-TES Application Form
  • Certified true copy/electronically generated Certificate of Enrolment (COE)/ Certificate of Registration (COR) with number of units as proof of enrollment
  • Certificate of Indigency as proof of income duly signed by the Punong Barangay where the applicant resides

Higher Education Institutions

  1. State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
  2. CHED-recognized Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs)
  3. Private HEIs (PHEI)

For more information visit CHED TES page: https://unifast.gov.ph/tes.html

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Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is a government agency that regulates and governs all higher education institutions and post-secondary educational programs in the Philippines. Established in 1994, CHED’s primary goal is to ensure the quality and relevance of higher education in the country. 

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CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)

The CMSP offers financial assistance to qualified and deserving students based on merit and academic performance with a general weighted average of 𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟵𝟯% 𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁.

Interested applicants must submit the following requirements:

  • Photocopy of Birth Certificate issued by PSA or NSO
  • Certified true copy of High School Report Card (Form 138) for the incoming first year

Any of the following documents:

  • Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of Parents or Guardian (Certified True Copy)
  • Certificate of Tax Exemption from the BIR (Certified True Copy)
  • Case Study Report from DSWD (Certified True Copy)
  • Latest Copy of Contract of Income may be considered for children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and Seafarers (Certified True Copy)

Additional Requirements:

  • Certificate of Membership for Indigenous Peoples
  • Certification/ ID from DSWD for Underprivileged and Homeless Citizen, PWDs, Solo Parents, and Senior Citizens

SUCs/LUCs

For more information visit CHED CMSP page: https://chedcaraga.ph/ched-scholarship-program-csp

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Scholarship for Coconut Farmers and their Families (CoScho)

The Scholarship for Coconut Farmers and their Families (CoScho) is a government-funded program designed to support the education of coconut farmers and their dependents. Specifically, it provides financial assistance to qualified coconut farmers and their children or other dependents to pursue college degrees. 

For more information visit CHED CoScho page: https://chedcaraga.ph/scholarship-program-for-coconut-farmers-and-their-families

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Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Grants-in-Aid for Higher Education Program (ACEF-GIAHEP)

The Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Grants-in-Aid for Higher Education Program (ACEF-GIAHEP) is a program that provides financial assistance to deserving undergraduate students pursuing agriculture-related fields in higher education institutions. It aims to increase the number of graduates with strong scientific, entrepreneurial, and technical skills in agriculture. 

For more information visit CHED ACEF-GIAHEP page: https://chedcaraga.ph/acef-giahep

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Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR)

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) is a Philippine government agency under the Department of Agriculture (DA), responsible for the development, management, and conservation of the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources. BFAR’s primary role is to ensure the sustainable use and protection of Philippine fisheries and aquatic resources.  This includes developing, improving, managing, and conserving these resources.  It was established as a line bureau by Republic Act No. 8550, also known as the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998. 

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Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP)

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) through the Fisheries Scholarship Program (FSP), is granting full college scholarship to qualified high school graduates taking up Bachelor of Science in Fisheries (BSF). The scholarship program has three (3) components:

  1. the FSP Fisheries Industry Leader Grant (FILG) for Senior high school graduates and graduating students with Honors,
  2. the Fisherfolk Children Educational Grant (FCEG) for Senior high school graduates and graduating students whose parent/s or guardian/s are registered municipal fisherfolk and
  3. FSP Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (FSP-ICCs/IPs) for poor but deserving Alternative Learning System (ALS)/ High School/ Senior High School graduates/ graduating students who are members of a particular ICCs & Ips recognized by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).

This is a scholarship program for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Fisheries. It covers tuition and other school fees (excluding dormitory and uniforms), provides a monthly stipend of P5,000, and includes allowances for books, research/thesis, graduation, and OJT/practicum. Additionally, it offers financial rewards for academic distinction (Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, Cum Laude) and top performers in the board exam.

Key Features:

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Fisheries.
  • Free Fees: Matriculation and other school fees (excluding dormitory and uniforms).
  • Monthly Stipend: P5,000.
  • Book Allowance: P2,000 per semester.
  • Research/Thesis Support: P7,000.
  • Graduation Support: P1,500.
  • OJT/Practicum Support: P3,000.
  • Academic Distinction Awards:
    • Summa Cum Laude: P50,000.
    • Magna Cum Laude: P30,000.
    • Cum Laude: P20,000.
  • Board Exam Awards:
    • Top 1: P50,000.
    • Top 2-10: P20,000. 

For more information, visit BFAR FSP program page: https://www.bfar.da.gov.ph/opportunities/scholarship