Senate approves permanent Presidential Merit Scholarship Program for top students
The Senate has approved Senate Bill No. 2410, or the proposed Presidential Merit Scholarship Program (PMSP) Act, establishing a permanent national merit scholarship program for outstanding senior high school graduates pursuing college or technical-vocational education.
Are you a high-performing senior high school graduate dreaming of pursuing college or a technical-vocational course? This new scholarship program could be your gateway to a fully funded education.
What is the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program (PMSP)?
The Presidential Merit Scholarship Program (PMSP) is a national merit-based scholarship program that institutionalizes the existing Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program into a permanent government scholarship. The program provides separate pathways for students pursuing higher education and technical-vocational diploma programs.
According to Senator Joel Villanueva, principal sponsor and author of the measure, the program is designed to balance academic merit with equity, giving financially challenged but high-performing students a fair chance to secure government support.
“Merit opens the door, equity ensures that deserving students with less in life are given a fair chance to walk through it,” Villanueva said.
Who can apply?
To be eligible for the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
For Higher Education Track (College)
- Must be a senior high school graduate
- Must have attained at least a 95% general weighted average in Grade 11
- Must qualify for a CHED-recognized priority degree program
- Combined annual gross family income must not exceed P2,000,000
For Technical-Vocational Track (TESDA)
- Must be a senior high school graduate
- Must have at least an 85% general weighted average
- Must gain admission to a TESDA-recognized diploma program in a priority sector
- Combined annual gross family income must not exceed P2,000,000
Note: When qualified applicants exceed available scholarship slots, preference will be given to those from lower-income households.
What are the Priority Fields
The scholarship covers the following priority fields:
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
- Agriculture and Fisheries
- Health and Allied Health Sciences
- Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence, and Data Science
- Specialized Teacher Education
- Research and Innovation
What are the Scholarship Benefits
The scholarship may cover the following expenses:
- Tuition and other school fees
- Living and relocation expenses
- Room and board
- Transportation
- Books and connectivity
- Laboratory costs
- Other education-related needs
For more scholarship updates, Follow Iskolarship Updates Facebook Page.
What Happens to Existing Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholars?
Existing scholars under the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program will continue receiving their benefits and will not be displaced or disadvantaged by the transition to the PMSP.
The PMSP Act is among the priority measures under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council’s (LEDAC) Common Legislative Agenda targeted for passage by Congress before the end of June 2027.
Source: Philippine News Agency (PNA)
