College can be expensive.
Even if you’re studying at a state university where tuition may already be covered, there are still transportation expenses, food, books, internet, projects, laboratory fees, boarding costs and everyday school expenses to think about.
This is where scholarships and government financial assistance can make a huge difference.
For Filipino students planning to enter college in 2027—or students who will already be enrolled by then—the Commission on Higher Education offers several scholarship and financial assistance programs. Some are open to academically outstanding students, while others are designed for specific courses, agricultural communities, low-income households or students belonging to particular sectors.
And there isn’t just one “CHED Scholarship.”
CHED currently administers or helps implement several different programs, while UniFAST handles additional tertiary-education subsidies such as TES and Tulong Dunong. CHED’s official financial-assistance directory includes the CHED Merit Scholarship Program, Scholarship for Future Statisticians, Scholarship for Coconut Farmers and their Families, Medical Scholarship and Return Service, the scholarship for sugarcane-industry families, and ACEF-GIAHEP, among others.
There is also the newer Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program, which began accepting applicants for Academic Year 2026–2027.
So which scholarship should you apply for?
Let’s go through the major CHED scholarships and financial assistance programs students should watch for in 2027.
Content
Quick List of CHED Scholarships for 2027
Here are the major programs college students should know about:
| Scholarship / Assistance | Best suited for |
|---|---|
| CHED Merit Scholarship Program or CMSP | Academically strong incoming first-year students |
| Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program or BPMSP | Top-performing incoming first-year students entering priority programs |
| Estatistikolar | Statistics and applied-statistics students |
| CoScho | Coconut farmers and qualified family members |
| ACEF-GIAHEP | Agriculture, fisheries, forestry and veterinary-related students |
| SIDA Scholarship Grant Program | Children/dependents of qualified sugarcane workers and small farmers |
| Tertiary Education Subsidy or TES | Priority students needing financial assistance |
| Tulong Dunong Program or TDP | Low-income students needing partial education assistance |
| Medical Scholarship and Return Service or MSRS | Qualified Doctor of Medicine students |
There are also specialized graduate and faculty scholarships, but this guide focuses primarily on programs relevant to undergraduate and professional college students.
1. CHED Merit Scholarship Program
The CHED Merit Scholarship Program, or CMSP, is probably the scholarship most students have in mind when they search for “CHED Scholarship.”
It is a competitive scholarship intended for academically qualified Filipino students entering identified priority undergraduate programs.
For Academic Year 2026–2027, applicants were required to have at least a 93% Grade 12 general average and a combined annual gross income of parents or legal guardians not exceeding ₱500,000.
The program provides both Full and Half Merit Scholarships.
CHED Merit Scholarship Benefits
Under the latest published benefit structure, students studying in private higher education institutions may receive:
Full PESFA
Up to:
- ₱40,000 annually for tuition and other school fees
- ₱70,000 annual stipend
- ₱10,000 book/connectivity allowance
Total potential assistance: ₱120,000 per academic year.
Half PESFA
Up to:
- ₱20,000 tuition and other school fees
- ₱35,000 stipend
- ₱5,000 book/connectivity allowance
Total: ₱60,000 per academic year.
Students enrolled in SUCs and eligible LUCs already covered by Free Higher Education may receive the stipend and book/connectivity components instead.
Full SSP scholars can receive up to ₱80,000 in stipend and book/connectivity assistance annually, while Half SSP scholars can receive up to ₱40,000 under the latest published structure.
Who Can Apply?
Based on the AY 2026–2027 rules, applicants had to be:
- Filipino citizens
- Senior High School graduates in the Philippines
- With at least a 93% Grade 12 general average
- From families whose combined annual gross income did not exceed ₱500,000
- Admitted to an eligible SUC, recognized LUC or CHED-recognized private HEI
- Enrolled in a CHED-identified priority degree program
Students applying for 2027 should wait for the official AY 2027–2028 call because CHED may revise the criteria.
CHED Priority Courses for the Merit Scholarship
For AY 2026–2027, CHED gave first priority to applicants pursuing:
- BS Psychology
- AB Psychology
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology
Other programs identified under CHED’s national, regional and gender-and-development priority lists may receive second priority when slots remain.
CHED Memorandum Order No. 7, Series of 2023 contains the broader priority-program list covering Academic Years 2023–2024 through 2027–2028.
That is particularly important for 2027 applicants because the current priority-program issuance was written to cover through AY 2027–2028.
However, CHED can still issue newer guidelines or modify priorities, so check the latest announcement before choosing a school or degree based entirely on scholarship eligibility.
2. Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program
One of the biggest additions to government scholarships is the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program or BPMSP.
The program was launched in 2026 and covers both higher education and technical-vocational education.
For its initial implementation, the government announced 20,000 scholarship slots across the program’s higher-education and TVET tracks.
For college students, the CHED Higher Education Track supports students pursuing identified priority bachelor’s degree programs.
Who Qualified for BPMSP in 2026?
Applicants for AY 2026–2027 had to:
- Be Filipino citizens
- Be incoming first-year college students
- Belong to the Top 5 of their graduating class OR have at least a 95% Grade 12 GWA or equivalent
- Have no previous tertiary-education units or degree
- Have parents/legal guardians with a combined annual gross income not exceeding ₱2 million
- Enroll in an approved priority program at a qualified delivering HEI
For 2027 applicants, the important thing is not to assume that these exact thresholds will automatically remain unchanged.
Wait for CHED’s official AY 2027–2028 announcement.
BPMSP Benefits
Under the current guidelines, higher-education scholars can receive:
- Tuition and other school fees in eligible institutions
- ₱45,000 annual stipend and allowance
- Up to ₱45,000 annually toward tuition and other school fees in qualified private HEIs
- Academic Excellence Incentive for qualified top-performing scholars
The current guidelines set the Academic Excellence Incentive at ₱18,000 per term for eligible top scholars. The guidelines also state that financial amounts may be adjusted depending on available funding.
This makes BPMSP one of the most important programs to watch if you’re graduating from Grade 12 in 2027 with excellent grades.
CHED Merit Scholarship vs BPMSP
You might be wondering:
“Aren’t these basically the same scholarship?”
Not exactly.
Both reward academic achievement, but they operate under separate guidelines.
For AY 2026–2027, CMSP required at least a 93% general average and had a parental-income ceiling of ₱500,000.
BPMSP, meanwhile, required applicants to be within the Top 5 of their class or have at least a 95% GWA, while allowing combined parental/legal-guardian income of up to ₱2 million.
BPMSP also restricts scholars to specifically identified priority programs and qualified Delivering Higher Education Institutions.
Students should therefore check both programs instead of assuming that being ineligible for one automatically means they’re ineligible for the other.
3. CHED Scholarship for Future Statisticians – Estatistikolar
If you’re interested in statistics, data science or a related field, this is one scholarship you shouldn’t overlook.
The CHED Scholarship Program for Future Statisticians, commonly called Estatistikolar, was created to help address the country’s need for statisticians and data professionals.
The program covers students taking:
- BS Statistics
- BS Applied Statistics
- Other eligible programs identified in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority
The program can accommodate both incoming first-year students and qualified students who are already in college.
Estatistikolar Eligibility
Under the revised 2025 guidelines:
Incoming first-year applicants need at least an 85% Senior High School GWA.
Second- to fourth-year college applicants need at least an 80% GWA.
The combined annual gross income of the applicant’s parents or legal guardian should not exceed ₱500,000.
This is important because unlike many scholarships focused mainly on incoming freshmen, Estatistikolar may also be an option for students who are already studying in college.
Estatistikolar Benefits
For students studying in eligible private HEIs, the full scholarship currently provides up to:
- ₱40,000 annually for tuition and other school fees
- ₱70,000 annual stipend
- ₱10,000 book/connectivity allowance
Total: up to ₱120,000 per academic year.
For scholars in SUCs and eligible LUCs, tuition is covered through Free Higher Education and the scholarship provides up to ₱80,000 annually for stipend and book/connectivity assistance.
If you already know that you want a career involving data, analytics, statistics or research, this is definitely a program to monitor.
4. Scholarship Program for Coconut Farmers and Their Families – CoScho
The Scholarship Program for Coconut Farmers and their Families, commonly known as CoScho, is much more specialized.
It is designed for qualified coconut farmers registered under the National Coconut Farmers Registry System and their eligible family members.
The scholarship aims to help coconut-farming families gain access to higher education while also developing graduates who can contribute to agriculture and the coconut industry.
Who Can Apply for CoScho?
The latest published guidelines include:
- Filipino citizens
- Graduating Senior High School students, Senior High School graduates or eligible ALS graduates
- Qualified college students
- At least an 80% GWA or equivalent
- Registered coconut farmers or qualified dependents of registered coconut farmers
- Parents with a combined annual gross income generally not exceeding ₱300,000
Only one qualified family member may generally receive the scholarship at a time.
CoScho Priority Courses
Many scholarship slots are directed toward programs connected with agriculture and the coconut industry.
Examples can include:
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agribusiness Management
- Agricultural Economics
- Other PCA-identified priority programs
Under current guidelines, 80% of available slots are allocated to programs identified by the Philippine Coconut Authority as directly contributing to the coconut industry, with 20% available for other identified fields.
CoScho Benefits
Current guidelines provide regular allowances including:
- ₱70,000 annual stipend
- ₱10,000 annual book and learning-material allowance
That’s ₱80,000 in regular annual allowances.
Qualified scholars can also potentially receive other forms of assistance such as:
- Thesis allowance
- Internship allowance
- Laptop allowance
- Summer-class assistance
- Review-fee assistance
- Monetary incentives for licensure-examination topnotchers
Specific benefits are subject to program rules and availability of funds.
5. ACEF-GIAHEP Scholarship
If your college course is related to agriculture, forestry, fisheries or veterinary medicine, another program worth checking is the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Grants-in-Aid for Higher Education Program.
Yes, ACEF-GIAHEP is quite a mouthful.
But the idea behind it is simple: support students studying fields that can contribute to the country’s agricultural and fisheries industries.
The program is implemented through CHED and the Department of Agriculture framework.
Eligible Fields
The program includes recognized undergraduate programs involving:
- Agriculture
- Forestry
- Fisheries
- Veterinary Medicine
- Related agricultural education programs
Both incoming students and qualified students who have already earned college units may apply when applications are open.
Income Requirement
The current guidelines generally set the combined annual gross income limit of parents or guardians at ₱400,000.
Exceptional cases may still be evaluated, including families with several dependents or serious medical circumstances.
Applicants must generally not already be receiving another government-funded student financial assistance program.
ACEF-GIAHEP Benefits
For scholars enrolled in eligible private HEIs, current assistance can total up to ₱60,000 per academic year:
- ₱20,000 tuition and other school fees
- ₱35,000 stipend
- ₱5,000 book allowance
For SUC and LUC students, tuition is covered under Free Higher Education while the scholarship provides up to ₱40,000 per year for stipend and books.
6. Scholarship for Children and Dependents of Sugarcane Industry Workers and Small Sugarcane Farmers
Families connected to the sugarcane industry should also check the SIDA Scholarship Grant Program.
The program is based on the Sugarcane Industry Development Act and is intended for qualified children and dependents of sugarcane industry workers and small sugarcane farmers certified by the Sugar Regulatory Administration.
It covers selected programs such as:
- Agriculture
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Mechanics
- Chemical Engineering
- Sugar Technology
- Other applicable programs under the program rules
Undergraduate Eligibility
Current eligibility generally includes:
- Filipino citizenship
- High school graduation or relevant college units
- Admission to an identified SUC
- SRA certification as an eligible child/dependent of a sugarcane industry worker or small sugarcane farmer
- Combined parental/guardian annual gross income not exceeding ₱400,000
Benefits
Current regular undergraduate allowances can reach ₱110,000 per academic year, consisting of:
- ₱100,000 stipend
- ₱10,000 book and learning-material allowance
Eligible scholars may also receive allowances for thesis/OJT and certain academic conferences under program rules.
7. Tertiary Education Subsidy – TES
TES isn’t technically the same as the traditional CHED Merit Scholarship, but anyone searching for CHED financial assistance should know about it.
The Tertiary Education Subsidy is implemented through UniFAST under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
It helps cover the cost of tertiary education for priority students enrolled in:
- State Universities and Colleges
- CHED-recognized Local Universities and Colleges
- Private Higher Education Institutions
TES Benefits
The current published benefits are:
- SUC/LUC students: ₱20,000 per academic year
- Private HEI students: ₱27,000 per academic year
Additional assistance includes:
- ₱10,000 per academic year under TES-3A for qualified students with disabilities
- Up to ₱8,000 one-time reimbursement under TES-3B for qualified board or licensure examination expenses
Benefits are subject to prioritization and available funding.
Who Gets Priority?
For AY 2026–2027, UniFAST prioritized qualified students from identified low-income households and other specified groups, including certain solo-parent dependents, Indigenous Peoples and persons with disabilities, according to the applicable prioritization rules.
TES is therefore different from a purely merit-based scholarship.
Your financial situation and priority classification can be very important.
8. Tulong Dunong Program – TDP
Another UniFAST program college students frequently search for is the Tulong Dunong Program.
TDP provides financial assistance toward the partial cost of tertiary education and education-related expenses.
Tulong Dunong Eligibility
Under current UniFAST rules, applicants must generally:
- Be Filipino citizens
- Have combined household gross income not exceeding ₱400,000
- Be enrolled in a first undergraduate degree at an SUC, LUC or private HEI
- Not already be receiving TES, a CHED Scholarship Program or another national-government-funded Student Financial Assistance Program
How Much Is the Tulong Dunong Benefit?
The current benefit is:
₱7,500 per regular semester.
Assistance remains subject to prioritization and availability of funds.
It may not be as large as some full scholarships, but ₱7,500 can still help pay for transportation, projects, books, internet or other college expenses.
9. Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program – MSRS
Future doctors should know about the Medical Scholarship and Return Service Program.
This is different from the undergraduate scholarships discussed earlier because it supports qualified students taking a Doctor of Medicine degree.
Applicants generally need an appropriate undergraduate degree required for medical school, although the program can also cover qualified direct entrants in approved integrated medical programs.
Who Gets Priority?
The MSRS program gives particular consideration to applicants from circumstances such as:
- Municipalities without government physicians
- Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas
- Low-income municipalities
- Indigenous communities
- Families of community health volunteers
- Lower-income households
Applicants must also meet the NMAT and admission requirements of participating medical schools.
MSRS Benefits
The program can cover tuition and other school fees.
For students studying in participating private HEIs, the current tuition-and-other-school-fee subsidy can reach up to ₱100,000 per semester, while participating SUCs can receive actual eligible tuition and school-fee costs under the program guidelines.
Additional allowances are provided under the MSRS program rules.
But there is an important condition:
This is a return-service scholarship.
Scholars agree to provide medical service in the Philippines after completing their studies and professional requirements.
So don’t apply just because the financial package looks attractive.
Make sure you understand the return-service obligation too.
What About Free Tuition in State Universities?
Another point that often causes confusion:
Free Higher Education under Republic Act No. 10931 isn’t the same thing as winning a CHED scholarship.
Qualified Filipino students studying in State Universities and Colleges and eligible Local Universities and Colleges may already receive free tuition and other school fees under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
Programs such as CMSP, Estatistikolar and TES can provide additional financial support depending on their individual rules.
For example, CHED scholarship tables usually indicate “Free Higher Education” under tuition for qualified SUC/LUC students and then provide scholarship assistance through stipends and allowances instead.
So yes, it can still be worth applying for a scholarship even if your tuition is already free.
Your biggest expenses may actually be food, transportation, boarding, internet, projects and books.
Can Current College Students Apply for CHED Scholarships?
Sometimes.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions about CHED scholarships.
Not every program is limited to incoming freshmen.
CMSP and BPMSP are primarily aimed at incoming or newly entering college students under their current guidelines.
But other programs can accommodate existing college students.
For example, Estatistikolar accepts eligible second- through fourth-year students.
CoScho can also cover qualified applicants who already have college academic units.
ACEF-GIAHEP similarly covers both incoming students and qualified students already enrolled in relevant programs.
TES and TDP can also support qualified enrolled undergraduate students under their respective rules.
So if you’re already in college, don’t immediately assume you’ve missed your chance.
Look for scholarships that specifically allow continuing students.
What Documents Should You Prepare for CHED Scholarships?
Requirements differ by program, but several documents appear repeatedly.
It would be smart to prepare electronic copies of:
- PSA Birth Certificate
- Grade 12 report card or School Form 9
- Certificate of Grades for college students
- Certificate of Enrollment or Registration
- Latest Income Tax Return of parents/guardian
- BIR Certificate of Tax Exemption or Non-Filer, when applicable
- Social Case Study Report, when applicable
- Government-issued IDs
- Certificate of Good Moral Character, if required
- Proof of admission to your university
- Certificates proving membership in a special sector, when applicable
Specialized scholarships will require additional documents.
For CoScho, for example, proof of registration as a coconut farmer or qualified dependent is important.
For the SIDA scholarship, certification from the Sugar Regulatory Administration is required.
For MSRS, applicants need medical-school admission documents and applicable NMAT-related requirements.
My advice?
Create a folder on your phone, laptop and cloud storage called:
“Scholarship Requirements 2027.”
Scan everything clearly.
That might sound like a small thing, but scholarship application windows can sometimes be short. Having your documents ready can save you a lot of stress.
When Will CHED Scholarships Open for 2027?
This is probably the question most students want answered.
As of September 19, 2026, there is no single nationwide CHED application calendar announcing all scholarship deadlines for Academic Year 2027–2028.
For comparison, applications for the 2026–2027 Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship opened on April 30, 2026 and were scheduled until June 30, 2026 or until available slots were filled.
The CHED Merit Scholarship Program for AY 2026–2027 accepted applications from June 22 to July 31, 2026.
But please don’t treat those dates as the official 2027 schedule.
CHED can change application periods from one academic year to another.
For students entering college in 2027, the safest strategy is to begin monitoring scholarship announcements well before graduation.
Where Should You Check for CHED Scholarship Announcements?
Start with official government sources.
Monitor:
- The official CHED website
- Your CHED Regional Office
- Official UniFAST announcements
- The official BPMSP portal for BPMSP updates
- Your school’s scholarship or student-affairs office
This matters because fake CHED scholarship links appear online regularly.
Be cautious with random Facebook posts or websites asking for sensitive information.
Use unofficial posts only as leads.
Always verify the actual application through CHED, UniFAST or the relevant government agency before submitting your documents.
Which CHED Scholarship Should You Apply For?
The answer depends on your situation.
If you’re an academically strong incoming freshman, check CMSP and BPMSP.
If you want to study Statistics or Applied Statistics, monitor Estatistikolar.
If your family is part of the coconut-farming sector, look at CoScho.
If you’re entering agriculture, forestry, fisheries or veterinary-related programs, check ACEF-GIAHEP.
If you’re a qualified dependent of someone working in the sugarcane industry, investigate the SIDA scholarship.
If you’re from a financially disadvantaged household, monitor TES and Tulong Dunong.
And if you’re preparing for medical school, MSRS deserves a closer look.
You may qualify for more than one program on paper.
However, many programs prohibit receiving another government-funded scholarship at the same time.
Always disclose existing scholarships and read the program rules carefully.
CHED Scholarship Application Tips for 2027
The first thing I’d suggest is not waiting until an application announcement appears before preparing.
By then, thousands of other students may be doing exactly the same thing.
Start with your grades.
Many competitive scholarships use GWA as part of the ranking process, so your Grade 11 and Grade 12 performance matters.
Next, organize your documents.
If your family income documents are complicated, resolve them early.
Research your preferred college course too.
Some CHED scholarships only support identified priority programs.
And perhaps most importantly, apply even when you’re unsure whether you’ll be selected—as long as you genuinely satisfy the eligibility requirements.
Scholarship programs are competitive.
Meeting the minimum requirement doesn’t guarantee a slot.
But you definitely won’t receive a scholarship you never apply for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CHED Scholarship 2027 open already?
As of September 19, 2026, CHED has not published one nationwide application schedule covering all scholarship programs for AY 2027–2028.
Some existing guidelines already extend into AY 2027–2028—for example, CHED’s identified CMSP priority-program framework covers through that academic year—but applicants should still wait for the official 2027 call for applications.
How much is the CHED Scholarship?
There isn’t one single amount because CHED administers several scholarships.
Under the current CMSP benefit structure, a Full PESFA scholar in a private HEI can receive financial assistance totaling up to ₱120,000 per academic year, while a Full SSP scholar in an eligible public institution can receive up to ₱80,000 in stipend and book/connectivity assistance in addition to Free Higher Education.
Other programs have different amounts.
Can Grade 12 students apply?
Yes.
Several major programs are designed specifically for graduating Senior High School students or incoming college freshmen.
These include CMSP and BPMSP.
Programs such as CoScho and ACEF-GIAHEP can also accept eligible graduating Senior High School students.
Can second-year college students apply?
It depends on the scholarship.
CMSP and BPMSP focus heavily on incoming/new first-year students.
But Estatistikolar, CoScho, ACEF-GIAHEP, TES and TDP may be available to qualified students who are already enrolled, depending on the applicable guidelines and availability of slots.
Does CHED Scholarship require an exam?
Not every CHED scholarship uses the same selection process.
Many programs rely on academic performance, family income, eligibility criteria and ranking rather than one universal nationwide CHED scholarship exam.
Always follow the official instructions for the particular scholarship you’re applying for.
Can I apply if my parents earn more than the income limit?
Usually, you need to satisfy the income requirements stated by the particular program.
Some scholarships contain provisions allowing exceptional cases to be evaluated—for example, serious medical expenses or multiple dependents studying in college—but this differs by program. ACEF-GIAHEP is one example with provisions for exceptional circumstances.
Don’t assume an exception will automatically be granted.
Submit the supporting documents required by CHED.
Can I receive two government scholarships?
Many government scholarship programs prohibit simultaneous receipt of another government-funded scholarship or Student Financial Assistance Program.
TDP, for example, specifically states that recipients cannot simultaneously be beneficiaries of TES, CHED Scholarship Programs or other national-government-funded StuFAPs.
Other scholarship programs have similar restrictions.
Always disclose your existing financial assistance.
Final Thoughts
When people say “CHED Scholarship,” they sometimes imagine one scholarship application that every college student fills out.
In reality, there are several different opportunities.
There are merit scholarships for academically outstanding students.
There are scholarships for future statisticians.
There are programs for coconut farmers and sugarcane-industry families.
There are grants for agriculture and fisheries students.
There are medical scholarships.
And through UniFAST, there are programs such as TES and Tulong Dunong that provide financial assistance to students who may not necessarily qualify for a traditional academic scholarship.
That’s why the smartest approach for students preparing for college in 2027 isn’t to wait for one “CHED Scholarship 2027” announcement.
Know which programs fit your situation.
Prepare your documents.
Monitor CHED and your regional office.
Pay attention to application dates.
And apply as soon as the program you’re qualified for officially opens.
College expenses can add up quickly, but these scholarship and financial assistance programs exist precisely to make higher education more accessible.
For many families, getting even one of these scholarships can make the difference between constantly worrying about school expenses and being able to focus more fully on finishing a degree.
Last updated: September 19, 2026. Scholarship requirements, benefits, priority courses, available slots and application dates may change for Academic Year 2027–2028. Always verify the latest announcement from CHED, UniFAST or your CHED Regional Office before applying.
