Scholarships For First-Year College Students in the PH

College tuition have skyrocketed over the years, straining lower and middle-income families striving to afford it. Ideally, education should be affordable for all, but we cannot alter the current reality. What we can do, however, is take advantage of the scholarship opportunities available in the Philippines.

Below are some college scholarships in the Philippines. Be sure to bookmark this information, and keep in mind that details may change, so regularly check the respective websites for the latest updates.

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Scholarships in the Philippines for College Students

GBF-GOKONGWEI GROUP STEM SCHOLARSHIP FOR EXCELLENCE

The GBF-Gokongwei Group STEM Scholarship for Excellence supports top college students in priority STEM courses, offering financial aid, leadership training, and career opportunities within the Gokongwei Group.

Eligibility

• Must be enrolled in a GBF priority STEM course (Check your eligibility via https://bit.ly/stemsfe_eligcheck)
• Must have an outstanding academic record with a general weighted average of 85% or 2.0 or its equivalent
• For incoming freshmen, must belong to the top 10% of the Senior High School batch
• Must be of good moral standing and exhibit active participation and involvement in extra-curricular activities
• Must need financial support to complete their studies

Application Period
This year's application period closed in April, but stay tuned for next year's opportunity.

Documentary Requirements

• Fully accomplished application form
• Proof of outstanding academic performance
• For incoming college students, submit the following:
  a. A certified true copy of grades or Form 137 (report card) for Grades 11 and 12
  b. Certificate of batch ranking for Grade 12 (if unavailable, submit a certificate of batch ranking for Grade 11)
• For ongoing college students, submit a certified true copy of grades from the previous academic year or at least two (2) most recent consecutive semesters
• Proof of enrollment
• For incoming college students, submit a letter of intent to apply and enroll in a university for 1st sem A.Y. 2024-2025
• For ongoing college students, submit a copy of the certificate of registration for 1st sem A.Y. 2024-2025 (if unavailable, submit a letter of intent to enroll for 1st sem A.Y. 2024-2025)
• Proof of annual household income
• If the applicant's parents or members of the household who contribute to the family’s income are employed in the private or public sector or self-employed, submit any of the following:
  a. Recently filed 2022 annual income tax return (ITR) 
  b. Certificate of employment with a salary of family members contributing to household income (dated 2024)
  c. Employment contract with salary for OFW
• If the family’s income depends on senior parents’ pension:
  Proof of pension
• If the applicant’s parents or members of the household do not have a regular source of income and are exempted from filing tax:
  a. Tax Exemption Certificate from your Residence BIR Revenue District Office?(dated 2024)
  b. Proof of Residence
  c. Photo of residence (full view picture of the house, capturing the house number)?
  d. Proof of billing (electric or water bill issued in the past two months)
• Accomplished student's portfolio

Benefits
Scholars receive benefits until graduation, contingent on meeting semesterly requirements. These include an annual financial grant ranging from P80,000 to P120,000, depending on the university. Additionally, scholars have access to development programs such as leadership training and upskilling, internship opportunities within the Gokongwei Group, and potential employment with the company, subject to vacancy and pre-employment criteria.

Visit the GBF website for more details and updates on the next application period.

DOST-S&T UNDERGRAD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

It provides financial assistance to students seeking degrees in science and technology. Applicants should be top-performing high school graduates who also demonstrate financial need.

Eligibility

• Graduating Grade 12 students:
  STEM STRAND: All students belonging to the STEM class
  NON-STEM STRAND: Must be in the top 5% of the graduating class
• Graduate of Grade 12 before S.Y. 2024-2025 and did not enroll in college yet
• Graduate of high school before the K-12 Program; must belong to the top 5% of the graduating class
• Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen
• Must be of good moral character and in good health
• The applicant may have applied to the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship but did not qualify, or may have qualified for the DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship but did not avail of the award, or have not applied to any DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship Program.
• Must not have earned any post-secondary (college or vocational) units

Application Period
From October to December. 

Documentary Requirements

• Certificate of Good Moral Character
• Certificate of Good Health
• Principal's Certification
• Certificate of Residency
• Parent's Certification - Applicant has no pending immigration application to another country
• DOST-SEI Scholarship Examination/Award
• Applicant’s Certification of No Post-Secondary Units
• Signed Declaration of Applicant and the Parent/Legal Guardian
• Recent picture, passport size (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm or 1.8 inches x 1.4 inches)
• Birth Certificate
• Parent/s or Legal Guardian's or Spouse's 2022 Income Tax Return/ BIR Form 1701 / Employment Contract for OFW / BIR Certificate of Exemption from Filing of ITR / Certificate of Indigency / Certificate of Employment with Compensation / Proof of Pension
• Notarized Affidavit of Guardianship

Benefits
The scholarship covers and tuition and other school fees for up to P40,000, book allowance, monthly living allowance, and many more. 

Regularly check the DOST-SEI website for updates on the start of the next application period.

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CHED MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

CMSP is a government-funded scholarship initiative by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The program offers two types of scholarships: Full Merit and Half Merit, which provide varying financial assistance to cover tuition fees, book allowances, and other educational expenses.

Eligibility

• Student-applicants must be incoming freshmen who are eligible for, with at least 96% or its equivalent for the Full Merit Program and 93% to 95% or its equivalent for the Half Merit Program;
• Must enroll in recognized priority programs in private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)/or accredited Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) with Certificates of Program Compliance (COPC).

Click here to view the complete list of CHED priority programs.

Application Period
From June to July.

Documentary Requirements

• Certified true copy of Birth Certificate as proof of Filipino citizenship
• Combined annual gross income of parent/s or guardian which does not exceed PHP400,000.00, or in cases where the income exceeds PHP400,000.00, a student-applicant must present a written certification or medical findings of illness of a family member from a licensed medical doctor, and/or school certification of two or more dependents enrolled in college from an authorized school official
  
  The student applicant must submit ANY of the following as proof of income:
  a. Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents or guardian;
  b. Certificate of Tax Exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR);
  c. Certificate of Indigency either from their Barangay or Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
  c. Latest copy of employment contract or proof of income of parents may be considered for children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and Seafarers.
  
  
• Student-applicants belonging to the special group of persons such as the Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens under RA No. 7279, Persons With Disability under RA No. 7277 as amended, Solo Parents and/or their Dependents under RA 8972, Senior Citizens under RA 9994, and Indigenous Peoples under RA 8371, must submit certifications and/or Identification Cards (IDs) issued by the appropriate offices or agencies
• High school report card for students eligible for enrollment in college, and duly certified true copy of grades for Grade 11 and 1st Semester of Grade 12 for graduating high school students

Benefits
The financial assistance covers tuition and other school fees, stipends, and allowances for books and internet connectivity each semester. Students enrolled in private HEIs receive up to P120,000, while those in state or local universities will receive up to P80,000.

Click here for more information about the CMSP.

SM COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The SM College Scholarship Program is an initiative by SM Foundation, Inc., which aims to support underprivileged but academically deserving students in pursuing higher education.

Eligibility

• Grade 12 graduates from public and private schools in the areas covered; applicants from private schools must have a DepEd voucher and must be Grade 10 finishers from public high schools
• General weighted average grade of at least 92% or its equivalent for Grade 12 – 1st semester
• Total household income of at most P250,000 per year

Click here to view the list of places covered by the program.

Application Period
February to March.

Requirements

• Accomplished online application form
• Parent’s or Guardian’s Latest Income Tax Return / Certification of Non-Filing of Income / Certificate of Indigency
• Latest Grade 12 report card
• Birth Certificate
• 2×2 ID picture
• Sketch of home to the nearest SM Mall

Benefits
The scholars benefit from full tuition coverage, monthly allowance, options to specialize in Accounting, Information Technology, Engineering, or Education. They also have access to part-time job opportunities during Christmas or semester breaks and potential employment opportunities.

For more details, visit the SM Foundation College Scholarship Program page.

CLFI SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Cebuana Lhuiller Foundation Inc. Scholarship Program offers financial grants for first to fourth-year college education to disadvantaged students across the country.

Eligibility

• Must be a Filipino citizen
• The applicant or any of their relatives by consanguinity up to a second degree or relative by affinity up to a first degree must be a Cebuana Lhuillier client
• Must have a Cebuana Lhuillier Microsavings account (where grants will be credited)
• Must be an incoming or currently enrolled college student at a public university or college in selected programs
• Should have a total annual family income not exceeding P350,000 (Submit Income Tax Return (ITR), Company Payslip, or Certificate of BIR Tax Exemption of Certification of Non-Filing of Income)
• Must have a general weighted average (GWA) of 85% or its equivalent from the last semester or school attended

Click here to view the list of degree programs supported by the program.

Application Period
The application period may vary, but it usually falls in May or June.

Documentary Requirements

• Acomplished application form 
• Cebuana Lhuillier client with 24K Loyalty Card
• Proof/s of total family income
• General Weighted Average (GWA) of 85% or its equivalent from the last semester/school attended, without a failing mark in any subject
• Certificate of Good Moral Character duly signed by an official in the last school attended
• Current enrollment or registration form
• University/college’s grading system in percentage

Benefits
CLFI provides a fixed stipend of P50,000 to cover essential school-related and living expenses. CLFI Scholars also benefit from an annual general assembly, monthly learning sessions with experts, outreach programs, an Education-to-Employment Program, and various trainings.

For more information, visit Cebuana Foundation's website.

CHARITY FIRST FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

The Charity First Foundation Scholarship offers financial aid to students with academic financial need. As a non-profit organization, the foundation is dedicated to advancing education and empowering communities through strategic partnerships.

Eligibility

• Must be economically in need
• Must be 21 years old and below
• Must not be a recipient of other scholarships or educational assistance
• Must be living in Metro Manila
• NOT living in a dormitory
• Must be an incoming first or second-year college student
• Must have passed the entrance exam for a paricular four-year or five-year course
• Must have a general weighted average of 2.25 (85%) or better with no grades below 75% or failing grades

Application Period
The application period may vary, but it usually begins in August.

Documentary Requirements

• Complete grades in SHS for incoming freshmen
• Latest copy of utility bills and printed house picture (inside and out)
• Birth Certificate
• Valid IDs
• 2×2 ID Picture
• Certificate of Indigency
• DSWD Social Case Study Report
• DSWD 4p’s ID
• Sketch of home address from major landmark
• Medical clearance and X-Ray result

Benefits
The program provides financial aid for college tuition, transportation, meals, and other essentials. Beneficiaries also receive monthly life skills and motivational seminars, leadership training, and opportunities for community service. Other benefits include access to computers, the internet, and library services, as well as counseling and mentoring sessions.

Click Charity First's website for more details.

SECURITY BANK SCHOLARS FOR BETTER COMMUNITIES SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

This program offers educational assistance to deserving, underprivileged college students at partner schools. The foundation funds the scholarships, while partner schools handle applicant screening, selection, and scholar performance monitoring.

Security Bank Foundation's partner schools are Ateneo de Manila University, Chiang Kai Shek College, De La Salle University Manila, Far Eastern University Manila, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Manila, University of Santo Tomas, and University of the Philippines Diliman.

Eligibility

• Agency personnel must be assigned to a Security Bank branch for at least one year with a good employment record
• Children of agency personnel or agency personnel themselves
• One agency personnel scholar per branch. For larger units, multiple scholars may be accommodated depending on the size of the unit.
• Student’s latest General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 80% or its equivalent
• No other family member is currently admitted to the scholarship within a second degree of consanguinity or affinity
• No other existing scholarships except for discounts provided by schools

Application Period
Every June.

Documentary Requirements

• Duly accomplished Online Application Form
• Latest Report Card with Final General Weighted Average (up to 2nd/3rd quarter grading, if no final GWA) for A.Y. 2024-2025
• Birth Certificate 
• Endorsement letter signed by Security Bank Group (Download template)
• Endorsement letter from the Agency (Download template)
• Recent portrait photo
• Copy of Agency Personnel’s government-issued ID

Benefits
College scholars receive up to P30,000 annually for tuition and miscellaneous fees, plus an additional P30,000 quarterly stipend. Beyond financial support, SBFI provides developmental activities, including internships, corporate social responsibility involvement, and learning sessions from partner institutions.

To learn more about this program, visit SBFI's website.

Click the link to find out which savings program is better: Education Plan or Pag-IBIG MP2.