CHED Merit Scholarship 2026: Apply Now
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is now accepting applications for the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) for incoming first-year college students through CHED Regional.
Are you an incoming first-year college student with excellent academic performance? Qualified scholars may receive up to P120,000 per year in educational assistance – here’s everything you need to know.
Table of Contents
What is the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)?
The CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) is a competitive scholarship program that provides financial support to academically deserving Filipino students enrolled in CHED-identified priority degree programs. The program is open to incoming and current first-year college students who meet the academic and income requirements.
What are the Priority Programs
The CMSP gives priority to the following programs:
First Priority
- Educational Psychology (BS Psychology and AB Psychology)
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology
Second Priority
- Based on CHED’s latest issuance of priority programs
Read also: List of Priority Courses for CHED Scholarship Programs
What are the Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship covers tuition and other school fees, living stipend, book allowance, and connectivity allowance. The amount varies depending on the type of higher education institution.
For Students in Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs)
| Benefit | Full PESFA | Half PESFA |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Other School Fees | P40,000/year | P20,000/year |
| Stipend | P70,000/year | P35,000/year |
| Book/Connectivity Allowance | P10,000/year | P5,000/year |
| Total Annual Benefit | P120,000 | P60,000 |
For Students in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs/LUCs)
| Benefit | Full SSP | Half SSP |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and Other School Fees | Free Higher Education | Free Higher Education |
| Stipend | P70,000/year | P35,000/year |
| Book/Connectivity Allowance | P10,000/year | P5,000/year |
| Total Annual Benefit | P80,000 | P40,000 |
How many scholarship slots are there?
There are 2,223 Scholarship slots nationwide.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the CHED Merit Scholarship 2026, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines
- Must be an incoming first-year college student
- Must be a graduate of a Senior High School in the Philippines with a minimum general average (GA) of 93
- Combined annual gross income of parents or legal/authorized guardians must not exceed P500,000
- Must have obtained admission in any of the following:
- State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
- Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) with Institutional Recognition (IR)
- CHED-recognized Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs)
- Must be enrolled in CHED-identified priority programs
Additional Points for Special Groups
Additional ranking points will be given to applicants belonging to the following groups:
- Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens (RA 7279)
- Magna Carta Law for the Poor (RA 11291)
- Persons with Disabilities or PWDs (RA 7277)
- Expanded Solo Parents (RA 11861)
- Senior Citizens (RA 9994)
- Indigenous Peoples or IPs (RA 8371)
- First-generation college students (first in their family to attend college)
Note: Applicants from these groups must still meet the minimum qualification requirements.
Documentary Requirements
Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents:
- Accomplished Application Form (Annex A)
- Photocopy of National ID, PSA-issued National ID Transaction Slip, or PSA/NSO-issued Birth Certificate
- Certified true copy of Grade 12 School Form 9 (SF9) or Learner’s Progress Report, duly signed by the school registrar
- Any one (1) of the following proof of income documents:
- Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents or legal guardian from BIR
- Certificate of Tax Exemption from BIR
- Certified true copy of latest contract or 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)
How to Apply
Interested applicants may submit their applications through the official CMSP Online Application Portal at bit.ly/2026CMSPApplicationPortal.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted on or before July 31, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit as early as possible to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Applying for scholarships
I believe I am a deserving beneficiary of the CHED Scholarship because I am pursuing my dream of becoming a Civil Engineer despite the financial difficulties my family faces. As the child of a single mother, I have witnessed her sacrifices, hard work, and determination to provide for our needs and support my education. Her struggles inspire me to persevere and work harder to achieve my goals. This scholarship would greatly help ease our financial burden and allow me to focus on my studies without constantly worrying about expenses. More than financial assistance, it would be an opportunity for me to honor my mother’s sacrifices, complete my education, and one day use my knowledge and skills as a Civil Engineer to give back to my family and contribute to the development of our communities.
If I pass the scholarship test/exam, I hope it will be a big help for my financial needs this school year.