For academically strong senior high school graduates looking for financial assistance for college, there is a relatively new government scholarship worth knowing about: the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program or BPMSP.
The BPMSP was established in 2026 through Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2026, issued by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Education (DepEd), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). It is funded under the 2026 General Appropriations Act and is designed for qualified Filipino students entering priority college degree programs or technical-vocational diploma programs.
What makes this scholarship particularly interesting is that it is not based on grades alone. Academic performance carries the biggest weight, but family income and certain equity considerations are also included in the selection process.
So, who can apply? How much can you receive? What courses and schools are covered? And what happens after you become a scholar?
Here is a complete guide to the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program based on the official 2026 guidelines.
Content
What Is the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program?
The Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program is a merit-based government scholarship for academically qualified Filipino senior high school graduates.
It has two separate tracks.
The Higher Education or HE Track is administered by CHED and covers selected bachelor’s degree programs in qualified colleges and universities. The TVET Diploma Track is administered by TESDA and supports selected technical-vocational diploma programs offered by qualified training institutions.
Although the scholarship rewards academic performance, there is also an income ceiling. Under the current guidelines, the combined annual gross income of an applicant’s parents or legal guardians must not exceed ₱2 million.
For most students searching for the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship online, the Higher Education Track is probably the one they are looking for, so we’ll discuss that in greater detail while also covering the TVET option later.
Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Benefits
Let’s start with one of the biggest questions: How much does the scholarship provide?
For scholars under the CHED Higher Education Track, the financial assistance depends partly on whether the student attends a public or private institution.
| Benefit | Higher Education Track |
|---|---|
| Tuition and other school fees at SUCs/LUCs | Covered under RA 10931 |
| Tuition and other school fees at eligible private HEIs | Up to ₱45,000 per academic year |
| Stipend and allowance | ₱45,000 per academic year |
| Academic Excellence Incentive | ₱18,000 per term for qualified scholars |
The ₱18,000 Academic Excellence Incentive is not automatically given to every scholar. Under the 2026 guidelines, it goes to the top 15 BPMSP scholars in each region per academic semester based on their latest General Weighted Average.
For private-school scholars, the ordinary scholarship package therefore includes up to ₱45,000 a year for tuition and other school fees plus another ₱45,000 for stipend and allowances.
If the school’s tuition and other covered fees exceed the ₱45,000 annual subsidy, the scholar is responsible for the excess amount.
CHED also notes that the benefit amounts may be adjusted depending on available appropriations and approval by the Commission En Banc, so future scholarship batches should always check the newest guidelines rather than assuming the 2026 amounts will remain unchanged.
How Are the Benefits Paid?
For Higher Education scholars, CHED Regional Offices process the benefits.
The stipend and any Academic Excellence Incentive are deposited directly into the scholar’s bank account, with the guidelines identifying Landbank ATM accounts for this purpose.
The tuition and other school-fee subsidy for private institutions works differently: CHED pays the subsidy directly to the participating school for the scholar’s account. It is not given to the student as cash.
This distinction is important. A student should not expect the entire scholarship amount to appear in his or her bank account.
Who Can Apply for the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship?
For the Higher Education Track, the main requirements are straightforward but fairly competitive.
An applicant must be a Filipino citizen and an incoming first-year college student. The applicant must either belong to the top five of the graduating senior high school class or have a Grade 12 GWA of at least 95%, or its equivalent. The applicant must not have previously earned college units or a tertiary degree, and the combined annual gross income of the parents or legal guardians must not exceed ₱2 million. Finally, the student must enroll in a CHED-identified priority degree program offered by a qualified participating institution.
One important detail is the word “OR.”
You don’t necessarily have to satisfy both the Top Five requirement and the 95% GWA requirement.
The official guideline says:
Top Five of the graduating class OR at least 95% GWA.
So a student who is not among the five highest-ranked graduates may still meet the academic eligibility requirement if his or her Grade 12 GWA is at least 95%.
Is There an Age Limit?
The current guidelines do not impose a specific age limit.
In fact, individuals who are already employed can potentially qualify provided they have never earned tertiary units and satisfy the other eligibility requirements.
TESDA National Certificate holders and senior high school technical-professional graduates may also apply for the Higher Education Track if they otherwise meet the requirements.
That makes the scholarship somewhat different from programs that strictly limit applicants to recent high school graduates of a particular age.
Can Someone Who Already Started College Apply?
Generally, no.
The scholarship is intended for first-time entrants to tertiary education.
Applicants who have already earned undergraduate units are ineligible. The guidelines likewise exclude students repeating or re-entering first year and transferees or shiftees with credited tertiary units.
So if you’ve already completed a semester or even earned some college units, this particular scholarship is generally not intended for you.
Can You Have Another Scholarship?
This depends on where the other scholarship comes from.
Existing recipients of another nationally government-funded scholarship or grant are generally not eligible to simultaneously receive BPMSP.
However, the guidelines specifically say that scholarships provided by private universities, LGUs, Local Universities and Colleges, private organizations, and certain one-time community or local grants do not automatically disqualify an applicant.
If you qualify for two national government scholarship programs, you have to choose which one you will use.
What Courses Are Covered?
You cannot simply choose any bachelor’s degree.
For the Higher Education Track, CHED distributes scholarship slots across eight priority domains:
| Priority Domain |
|---|
| Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Creative Industries |
| Healthcare and Allied Programs |
| Engineering and Technology |
| Financial Services |
| Teacher Education |
| Digital Technology |
| Science and Mathematics |
These domains are intended to cover programs connected with identified workforce and development needs. CHED’s Commission En Banc may modify the list as labor-market and development priorities change.
The important thing to understand is that an entire university is not necessarily automatically covered just because it offers one of these fields.
You need to check the exact degree program and the specific participating institution.
Not Every College or University Qualifies
This part is easy to overlook.
For a higher education institution to participate in the scholarship, the degree program being offered must meet at least one of the prescribed quality conditions.
According to the guidelines, a program may qualify if it is recognized as a CHED Center of Excellence or Center of Development, has Level III or IV accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency, or has been approved by the CHED Commission En Banc.
Participating Local Universities and Colleges also need the required CHED Institutional Recognition, and participating institutions must have a Memorandum of Agreement with the relevant CHED Regional Office as a Delivering Higher Education Institution or DHEI.
In simpler terms, don’t assume that because your preferred course is on the priority list, you can take it at any school and receive the scholarship.
Check both the course and the school.
The official BPMSP portal provides the current priority programs and participating institutions. Check the official BPMSP portal
Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Requirements
Applicants should prepare their documents early because several of them may take time to secure.
The official 2026 guidelines identify the following requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| BPMSP application | Accomplished through the official online portal |
| Birth certificate | PSA-issued birth certificate |
| Grade record | Certified True Copy of School Form 9 / Learner’s Progress Report Card or Form 138 |
| Proof of income | One of the accepted BIR, DSWD, employment, OFW or seafarer income documents |
| Proof of admission | College/university admission slip for a priority degree program |
| Parent/guardian consent | Required when applicable |
| Top Five certification | Required if applying based on Top Five class standing |
| Old-curriculum records | Fourth-year high-school Form 138 for applicable pre-K-12 graduates |
| Equity-group proof | Only when claiming applicable additional selection points |
For income documentation, the guidelines are quite specific. Applicants must submit one accepted form of proof: a BIR Certificate of Tax Exemption or Non-Filer; a DSWD or city/municipal social welfare certificate for 4Ps beneficiaries; the latest ITR or BIR Form 2316 of the parents/legal guardians; or, for children of OFWs and seafarers, a certified copy of the latest contract or accepted proof of income.
CHED’s FAQ warns that income documents outside the expressly listed options will not be considered valid proof of income.
What If You Don’t Have Your College Admission Slip Yet?
You may still be able to apply.
The official rules allow an application to be provisionally accepted when the applicant’s college admission document is not yet available.
The applicant then has up to one month from the start of the semester to submit the admission slip and proof that he or she enrolled in a CHED-recognized priority program.
Failure to complete this requirement within the permitted period can cause the provisional scholarship to be revoked.
This provision is useful because college admission schedules and scholarship deadlines do not always line up perfectly.
How to Apply for the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship
The application is primarily online.
Applicants use the official BPMSP portal, complete the required information, select the appropriate track, and upload the required supporting documents. Higher Education applications are processed through the CHED Regional Office responsible for the area where the chosen Delivering Higher Education Institution is located.
A practical application flow looks like this:
- Check first whether you meet the academic, income and first-year eligibility conditions.
- Search the official BPMSP priority list and confirm that both your intended program and school are eligible.
- Prepare your PSA birth certificate, school records, proof of income, admission document and other applicable certificates.
- Complete the application through the official BPMSP portal and upload clear copies of the documents.
- Monitor your application and respond if CHED asks you to correct or resubmit a deficient document.
- If shortlisted, provide the required proof of enrollment.
- Wait for the official Notice of Award rather than assuming that submitting an application means you are already a scholar.
Applicants from Geographically Isolated, Disadvantaged and Conflict-Affected Areas who encounter connectivity problems may be permitted to submit the physical application form through the nearest DepEd or TESDA office.
Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Application Deadline
For Academic Year 2026–2027, applications opened on April 30, 2026.
CHED’s published call set the deadline at June 30, 2026, or until the available scholarship slots were filled.
Since that stated application period has already passed as of September 2026, students preparing for a later school year should wait for CHED, TESDA, or the official BPMSP portal to announce the next application cycle rather than reusing the 2026 deadline.
This is especially important because application dates, benefit amounts, eligible schools and priority programs may change from one funding year to another.
Does Meeting the Requirements Guarantee a Scholarship?
No.
The BPMSP is competitive.
Applicants are evaluated and ranked, so meeting the minimum eligibility requirements allows you to be considered but does not guarantee that you will receive one of the available slots.
For the 2026 guidelines, academic performance represents 70% of the basic ranking computation and household income represents 30%. Additional points may then be added for qualified applicants belonging to designated Special Equity Groups.
The income component gives more points to applicants from lower-income households.
This means the program combines academic merit with an income-sensitive ranking mechanism rather than simply awarding scholarships to everyone who reaches a 95% average.
Additional Points for Special Equity Groups
The guidelines provide up to 10 additional points for shortlisted applicants who belong to identified Special Equity Groups.
These include Indigenous Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, solo parents and their dependents, persons living in poverty, underprivileged and homeless citizens, senior citizens, and first-generation students.
Even if an applicant belongs to more than one qualifying group, the maximum additional score remains 10 points.
Applicants claiming these points need appropriate documentation, such as the applicable PWD or Solo Parent identification, NCIP certification, or social welfare documentation depending on the category.
What Happens After You Are Selected?
After validation and ranking, qualified applicants receive an official Notice of Award or NOA.
The scholar must complete the required acceptance process. Under the 2026 FAQ, the acceptance or waiver in the return slip must be signed within 15 days of receipt, while the signed NOA must be submitted to the CHED Regional Office within 15 working days.
CHEDRO then prepares the Scholarship Agreement that formalizes the scholarship.
This is why applicants should regularly check the email address and contact information they provided in the application.
Missing an official notice can create unnecessary problems even after qualifying.
Academic Requirements After Becoming a Scholar
Getting the scholarship is only the beginning.
BPMSP scholars must pass all their subjects every semester or term.
The rules specifically state that failure to pass a subject can be grounds for termination regardless of the student’s overall academic performance.
Scholars must also carry the prescribed regular academic load and finish the degree within its normal prescribed duration. Incomplete or conditional grades must be completed within the period allowed by the institution and converted into a passing final grade.
So although the entry requirement receives plenty of attention, maintaining the scholarship also requires consistent academic performance after college begins.
Is There a Return-Service Requirement?
Yes, and this is one of the most important conditions to understand before accepting the scholarship.
Every BPMSP scholar must agree to render return service in the Philippines.
The requirement is generally one year of service for every one year—or fraction of a year—during which scholarship benefits were received.
The service must be performed in the Philippines, should be related to the scholar’s field of study or specialization, and gives priority to government and public institutions. Unless otherwise approved, return service must begin within one year after graduation.
For example, someone who receives BPMSP assistance throughout a four-year college degree would generally accumulate four years of return-service obligation.
Scholars sign a Return Service Agreement covering this requirement.
What Happens If You Don’t Complete the Return Service?
The requirement is not merely optional employment assistance.
Under the scholarship guidelines, failure to comply with the return-service obligation can require repayment of the full financial benefits received, together with applicable interest and penalties under existing rules.
Students should therefore consider the return-service condition carefully before formally accepting the scholarship.
Can BPMSP Scholars Go Abroad?
There are restrictions.
The guidelines allow foreign travel, but scholars may need prior written approval and a Permit to Travel from the appropriate CHED or TESDA office.
The rules become especially important for graduates who are already completing their return-service obligation. The 2026 FAQ specifies additional conditions for foreign travel during this period.
Students planning overseas study or employment after graduation should familiarize themselves with the Return Service Agreement rather than assuming they can immediately leave the country once they graduate.
What About the TESDA Track?
The scholarship isn’t limited to traditional college degrees.
The TVET Diploma Track supports qualified students taking TESDA priority diploma programs.
The current priority areas include Agriculture, Information and Communication Technology, Healthcare, and Advanced Manufacturing and Semiconductor-related programs.
The financial package differs from the college track.
| TVET Benefit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and other school fees | Up to ₱70,000 per academic year |
| Stipend | ₱40,000 per academic year |
| Book and connectivity allowance | ₱10,000 per academic year |
That can amount to as much as ₱120,000 in covered benefits per academic year, subject to the program’s rules and actual eligible costs.
For the TVET track, applicants need at least a 90% Senior High School GWA rather than the Higher Education Track’s Top Five-or-95% requirement. The ₱2 million household-income ceiling also applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship the same as the CHED Merit Scholarship?
It is a separate scholarship program with its own rules, application portal, priority programs, selection procedure and return-service requirement. For the Higher Education Track, however, CHED is the administering agency.
Do I need a 95% average?
For the Higher Education Track, you need either a minimum Grade 12 GWA of 95% or membership in the Top Five of your graduating class.
What is the family-income limit?
The combined annual gross income of your parents or legal guardians must not exceed ₱2 million under the current guidelines.
Can I study at a private university?
Yes, provided your exact degree program and institution qualify as a BPMSP Delivering Higher Education Institution. Private HEI tuition and other school fees are subsidized up to ₱45,000 per academic year under the 2026 guidelines.
Can I receive the scholarship if I already have college units?
Generally, no. The Higher Education Track is intended for incoming first-year students who have not previously earned tertiary units or a college degree.
Does the scholarship have an exam?
The 2026 BPMSP selection rules describe applicants being ranked primarily through academic performance, household income and applicable additional equity points. The published guideline does not establish a separate nationwide scholarship qualifying examination comparable to some other government scholarship programs.
Do scholars have to maintain a specific GWA in college?
The central requirement stated in the 2026 guidelines is that scholars must pass all subjects every semester or term, carry the required regular load, and complete the program within its prescribed duration.
Is there a service obligation after graduation?
Yes. Scholars generally render one year of service in the Philippines for every year or fraction of a year of scholarship benefits received.
Tips Before Applying
The biggest mistake would be preparing all your documents only to discover that your chosen school or degree is not part of the program.
Start by checking the official priority-program and institution list. Then obtain your academic and income documents early, because documents such as certified school records, BIR certificates and PSA records may take time.
Also make sure you understand the scholarship beyond the amount of money involved. The requirement to pass every subject and the mandatory return-service obligation are significant conditions of the award.
Finally, rely on CHED, TESDA and the official BPMSP portal for application announcements. Social-media posts can be useful for reminders, but scholarship deadlines and qualified institutions should always be verified against the issuing agency’s information.
Final Thoughts
The Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program provides substantial educational support for academically strong students whose families fall within its income ceiling.
For the Higher Education Track, scholars can receive a ₱45,000 annual stipend and allowance, tuition assistance at eligible private schools of up to ₱45,000 annually, or applicable tuition coverage at participating SUCs and LUCs. Top-performing scholars may also qualify for a ₱18,000-per-term Academic Excellence Incentive.
But qualifying is about more than having high grades.
Your household income matters. Your chosen course matters. Your chosen university matters. Applications are ranked rather than automatically approved, and scholars must continue passing all subjects and eventually fulfill a return-service obligation in the Philippines.
For Academic Year 2026–2027, the published application period ran from April 30 to June 30, 2026, or until available slots were filled. Students interested in a succeeding batch should monitor the official BPMSP and CHED channels for the next call for applications rather than assuming that the same dates and benefit amounts will apply.
For qualified students planning to enter one of the priority fields, understanding these rules early makes it much easier to prepare the right documents, choose an eligible school and course, and know exactly what the scholarship requires before accepting an award.
