CHED Merit Scholarship Program 2025-2026: Everything You Need to Know
Getting a quality education is a big deal, but the cost can be a major hurdle for many families. That’s where the CHED Full and Half Merit Scholarship Program comes in—it’s designed to support hardworking and deserving students, regardless of their financial background.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the entire application process step by step. From checking if you’re eligible to submitting your application, we’ve got you covered.
About CHED Merit Scholarship 2025-2026
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is the key agency in charge of higher education in the Philippines. Created through Republic Act No. 7722 in 1994—also known as the Higher Education Act—CHED plays a major role in shaping educational standards and ensuring access to quality learning across the country.
Quick Look at CHED’s Role:
1. Foundation and Purpose:
CHED was founded to manage, regulate, and improve higher education in the Philippines under RA 7722.
2. Main Responsibility:
CHED is focused on making higher education accessible and of high quality. It sets rules, guidelines, and standards for schools and academic programs nationwide.
3. Programs and Support:
CHED runs several initiatives to raise education standards and help more students access college. One of the most impactful is the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP), which is geared toward students who excel academically but may struggle financially.
Why the Full and Half Merit Scholarships Matter
These scholarships are meant to break financial barriers and give capable students the chance to pursue college degrees. The financial support provided helps ease the burden of tuition and other school-related expenses, creating a more level playing field for everyone.
The good news? Applications for the CHED Merit Scholarship for the academic year 2025–2026 are now OPEN to all incoming college freshmen!
And don’t forget—there are other CHED-funded scholarship programs you might be eligible for as well.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Requirements)
To qualify for the CHED Merit Scholarship Program, you need to meet the following criteria:
1. Filipino Citizenship: You must be a Filipino citizen.
2. Academic Qualifications:
▶ For the Full Merit Program, your General Weighted Average (GWA) should be at least 96%.
▶ For the Half Merit Program, your GWA should be between 93% and 95%.
3. Special Group Considerations:
You may also apply if you are part of any of the following groups:
▶ Underprivileged or homeless individuals (as recognized by Republic Act No. 7279)
▶ Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), under RA 7277 (as amended)
▶ Solo parents or dependents (as stated in RA 8371)
#Note: You’ll need to submit valid IDs or certifications from the relevant agencies.
4. No Double-Dipping:
Applicants are allowed to benefit from only one government-funded financial assistance program at a time.
5. Income Cap:
The total annual gross income of your parents or guardian must not go over ₱500,000.
6. Course and School Requirements:
You must enroll in a CHED-recognized priority program at:
▶ A Private Higher Education Institution (PHEI)
▶ A State University or College (SUC)
▶ An accredited Local University or College (LUC) that has a Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC)
CHED Merit Scholarship Programs: Application Made Simple
If you’re aiming to apply for the CHED Merit Scholarship (Full or Half), it’s important to know the steps to ensure your application goes smoothly and gives you the best shot at being selected.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Let’s break down everything you need to prepare and do for a successful application:
📋 Required Documents
1. Proof of Birth:
Submit a copy of your Birth Certificate issued by either:
▶ The National Statistics Office (NSO), or
▶ The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
2. Academic Records:
A Certified True Copy of your Form 138 (Senior High School Report Card), signed by the school registrar or an authorized school official.
3. Financial Documents (submit any one, depending on your situation):
▶ Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of your parents or guardian
▶ Certificate of Tax Exemption or Non-Filer Status from the BIR
▶ A certified true copy of the most recent work contract or any valid proof of income (for children of OFWs and Seafarers)
▶ Social Case Study Report issued by the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD/MSWD)
4. Additional Supporting Documents (if applicable):
▶ PWD ID or Certification from the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO)
▶ Solo Parent ID
▶ Senior Citizen ID
▶ Certification for Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens (from DHSUD, CSWD, or MSWD)
▶ Social Case Study Report aligned with the Magna Carta of the Poor or for First-Generation Students
▶ Certificate issued by the NCIP for Indigenous Peoples
▶ Notarized Certificate of Guardianship (if you’re under the care of a legal guardian)
5. Application Form
You can download and fill it out here: CHED Merit Application Form 2025–2026
6. Guardianship Document (only if applicable)
Notarized Certificate of Guardianship from the student’s legal guardian
📅 Important Deadline
Application cut-off is June 20, 2025.
Make sure to complete and submit your documents before this date to avoid missing out.
🖥️ How to Apply
1. Gather all your required documents.
2. Scan them clearly and neatly.
3. Send your completed application and scanned documents online to the CHED Regional Office that covers your area.
Region
CHEDRO IV-CALABARZON(now open)
CHEDRO VII(now open)
Application Form Template: Click here
To get started with your application for the Full or Half Merit Scholarship Programs, simply follow the outlined steps and submit your documents to the CHED Regional Office that covers your area.
Programs and Scholarship Benefits:
The CHED Merit Scholarship Programs offer generous financial support. This includes covering tuition and other school-related fees (TOSF), providing stipends that are either given directly to students or through their schools, and offering allowances to help with the cost of books and internet access.
Here’s what scholars can expect in terms of financial support, whether they’re studying in a private higher education institution (HEI) or one affiliated with CHED. These benefits are granted annually and per semester.
| Program | Period | TOSF | Stipend | Book/ Connectivity Allowance | Total |
| Full PESFA | Annual | 40,000 | 70,000 | 10,000 | 120,000 |
| Semestral | 20,000 | 35,000 | 5,000 | 60,000 | |
| Half PESFA | Annual | 20,000 | 35,000 | 5,000 | 60,000 |
| Semestral | 20,000 | 17,500 | 2,500 | 30,000 |
| Program | Period | TOSF | Stipend | Book/ Connectivity Allowance | Total |
| Full SSP | Annual | FREE | 70,000 | 10,000 | 80,000 |
| Semestral | FREE | 35,000 | 5,000 | 40,000 | |
| Half SSP | Annual | FREE | 35,000 | 5,000 | 40,000 |
| Semestral | FREE | 17,500 | 2,500 | 20,0001 |
Priority Courses:
Below are the CHED Priority Courses categorized into different fields for the CHED Merit Scholarship Programs
Engineering and Technology
▶ Agricultural 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
Information Technology Education
▶ Computer Science▶ Cyber Security
▶ Entertainment and Multimedia Computing / Game Development and Animation
▶ Information System
▶ Information Technology
▶ Library and Information Science
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
Architecture and Related Programs
▶ Architecture▶ Fine Arts
▶ Interior Design
▶ Landscape Architecture
▶ Environmental Planning
Business and Management
▶ Accountancy▶ Business Analytics (straight major)
▶ Hospitality Management/ Hotel and Restaurant Management
▶ Tourism Management/ Tourism
Maritime Education
▶ Naval Architecture and Marine EngineeringTeacher Education
▶ Secondary Education major in Science and Mathematics▶ Culture and Arts
▶ Early Childhood Education
▶ Special Needs Education
▶ Sports and Exercise Science
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
Social Sciences
▶ Community Development▶ Human Services (Guidance and Counselling)
▶ Indigenous Peoples Studies/ Education
▶ Peace Studies/ Education
▶ Psychology
▶ Social Work
Multi and Interdisciplinary Cluster
▶ Agribusiness▶ Agro-forestry
▶ Data Science and Analytics
▶ Disaster Risk Management/ Climate Change
▶ Renewable / Sustainable Energy
Contact Details:
If you have questions or need more details, your local CHED Regional Office is the best place to reach out.
Final Thoughts:
CHED’s Priority Courses open the door to a broad selection of educational paths designed to meet the evolving demands of the modern world.
With solid support from CHED, aspiring students are given the tools to achieve academic success and become future leaders.
Taking that first step to apply for this scholarship could be the start of something truly life-changing.
To all potential scholars out there—don’t wait. Take advantage of this opportunity, dream big, and begin the journey toward a brighter future.
You can also explore other scholarship options, including those from CHED, the government, and private organizations, by checking out our full scholarship listings here.
Notice: Information Disclaimer
Please note that scholarshipclick is not a scholarship provider or engage in hiring activities. It is strictly an informational resource designed to help users understand the various scholarships and grants available.
We don’t process applications, but we do provide helpful guides and resources on how to apply for scholarships and navigate the admissions process.
As always, we recommend checking the legitimacy of any information you come across.
All details on this site are provided for informational purposes only. Be sure to confirm anything important with the official sources listed at the end of our pages.
References:
1. Commission on Higher Education. (n.d.). Merit Scholarship. Retrieved from https://ched.gov.ph/merit-scholarship/
2. CHED Memorandum Order:
Commission on Higher Education. (2023). CHED Memorandum Order No. 7, series of 2023 – List of identified priority programs for CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) for Academic Years (AY) 2023-2024 to 2027-2028. https://ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/CMO-NO.-7-S.-2023.pdf
3. Memorandum from the Chairperson – Regional Priority Courses:
Commission on Higher Education. (2021). Memorandum from the Chairperson – Regional priority courses for CHED Scholarship Programs (CSPs) effective Academic Year 2021-2022. https://ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/CMO-8-s.-2019-Policies-and-Guidelines-for-CHED-Scholarship-Programs-CSPs.pdf
4. Memorandum from the Chairperson – Call for Application:
Commission on Higher Education. (2024). Memorandum from the Chairperson – Call for application for the CHED Merit Scholarship Programs (CMSP) for Academic Year 2024-2025. https://ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/MOC_2024_CALL_FOR_APPLICATION_FOR_THE_CHED_MERIT_SCHOLARSHIP_PROGRAMS.pdf