Education
20 scholarships that could keep a Filipino student’s dream alive
Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 31, 2026
Photo courtesy: Bank Pembangunan
For many young Filipinos, education is not simply a choice between one school and another. Sometimes, it is a choice between attending class and helping put food on the table.
Some students become family breadwinners before they can finish their studies. They postpone college, accept whatever work they can find and use their earnings to send their younger siblings to school. Others leave the classroom early because their families cannot afford tuition, transportation, school supplies, boarding expenses or even daily meals.
This creates a difficult cycle: young people need decent jobs to escape poverty, but they often need a good education to qualify for those opportunities.
Scholarships and financial assistance can help break that cycle. When students are given the means to remain in school, they have a better chance to develop their abilities, find stable employment and eventually improve their families’ lives.
Providing access to quality education also benefits the country. It can improve literacy, strengthen the workforce and equip young Filipinos to participate meaningfully in society. The words “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan” can become more than an ideal—but only when young people are given a genuine opportunity to learn and succeed.
For students determined to continue their education despite financial hardship, here are 20 government, private, university and local scholarship programs worth exploring.
Government scholarships
- Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program
The Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program supports qualified students taking priority college degrees or technical-vocational diploma programs.
Incoming college students must belong to the top five of their graduating class or have a general weighted average of at least 95 percent. Technical-vocational applicants must have an average of at least 90 percent. For both tracks, the combined annual income of the applicant’s parents or guardians must not exceed ₱2 million.
College scholars may receive tuition assistance and ₱45,000 annually for stipends and allowances. Technical-vocational scholars may receive up to ₱70,000 for tuition and school fees, a ₱40,000 stipend and a ₱10,000 book and connectivity allowance.
Applications are submitted through the official BPMSP portal.
- CHED Merit Scholarship Program
This program assists academically qualified senior high school graduates taking CHED-identified priority courses.
Applicants generally need a GWA of at least 93 percent and a combined parental or guardian income not exceeding ₱500,000 annually. Assistance may cover tuition and other school fees, living expenses, books and internet connectivity.
- Tertiary Education Subsidy
The Tertiary Education Subsidy is a need-based program for financially disadvantaged college students.
Priority is given to qualified students included in Listahanan, members of 4Ps households and other students from low-income families. The amount of assistance depends on the student’s institution and applicable government guidelines.
- Tulong Dunong Program
Tulong Dunong provides financial assistance to qualified undergraduate students in recognized state, local and private colleges.
Beneficiaries may receive ₱7,500 per semester or ₱15,000 per academic year. They must meet the prescribed household income ceiling and cannot simultaneously receive certain other national government-funded grants.
Students may contact their CHED regional office for current application schedules and requirements.
- DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarship
Students pursuing approved science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses may apply for a DOST-SEI scholarship.
Benefits may include tuition assistance, a monthly living allowance and support for books, transportation and other educational expenses. Applications are processed through the DOST-SEI scholarship portal.
Assistance for OFW dependents
- Education for Development Scholarship Program
OWWA’s Education for Development Scholarship Program supports qualified dependents of active OWWA members. Scholars may receive up to ₱60,000 per academic year.
- OFW Dependent Scholarship Program
This program provides educational assistance to qualified dependents of lower-income OFWs. Beneficiaries may receive ₱20,000 annually, subject to OWWA’s current rules.
- Congressional Migrant Workers Scholarship Program
The program assists qualified migrant workers or their dependents pursuing identified science and technology courses. Financial support may reach ₱60,000 per academic year.
- Education and Livelihood Assistance Program
The program provides educational assistance to eligible dependents of deceased OWWA members and OFWs in other qualifying circumstances. College beneficiaries may receive up to ₱10,000 annually.
Applicants should visit the OWWA website or call Hotline 1348 for updated qualifications.
Private foundation scholarships
- Ayala Foundation U-Go Scholar Grant
The program supports financially challenged female students enrolled in public colleges and universities. Qualified scholars may receive ₱40,000 annually, provided they maintain good academic standing.
- SM Foundation College Scholarship
The SM Foundation program offers full tuition at partner schools, monthly allowances and opportunities to work part-time during school breaks.
Applicants must meet the foundation’s grade and household income requirements. Priority courses include accounting, information technology, engineering and education.
- Aboitiz Foundation Scholarship
Qualified scholars may receive full tuition, monthly allowances, board examination assistance and incentives for academic achievement.
The program generally supports students enrolled at partner universities and pursuing courses identified by the foundation.
- Megaworld Foundation Scholarship
Megaworld Foundation provides tuition assistance and monthly allowances to qualified incoming freshmen and continuing college students.
Scholars may also participate in volunteer activities and explore employment opportunities within Megaworld and its affiliated companies after graduation.
- Iskolar ng LANDBANK
This program supports qualified children and grandchildren of agrarian reform beneficiaries, small farmers and fishers.
Applicants must satisfy the program’s academic and financial requirements and secure an endorsement from an eligible cooperative or association.
University-based scholarships
- Ateneo de Manila University scholarships
Ateneo offers merit- and need-based programs such as the Ateneo Freshman Merit Scholarship, Director’s List Scholarship, Financial Aid Grants and Magis Scholarship.
Depending on the program and the student’s financial circumstances, assistance may cover tuition, school fees, books, food, transportation, technology and accommodation.
- De La Salle University scholarships
DLSU offers programs such as the Archer Achiever Scholarship, Star Scholarship, Vaugirard Scholarship, Gokongwei Grants and St. La Salle Financial Assistance Grant.
Benefits range from partial tuition assistance to full tuition coverage and monthly allowances.
- University of Santo Tomas scholarships
UST offers academic, equity, student-assistance and talent-based scholarships.
These include the Santo Tomas Academic Scholarship, San Lorenzo Ruiz Student Assistance Scholarship, San Domingo de Guzman Scholarship for the Gifted and San Martin de Porres Equity Scholarship.
- University of Asia and the Pacific scholarships
UA&P provides merit, financial assistance, athletic and arts scholarships. Qualified students may receive partial or full tuition support and, under selected programs, living, technology or internet allowances.
- Mapúa University scholarships
Mapúa offers the E.T. Yuchengco, Alfonso T. Yuchengco and Don Tomas Mapúa scholarships, among other academic grants.
Depending on the program, benefits may include partial or full tuition discounts, annual stipends and book allowances.
Local government scholarship
- Quezon City Scholarship Program
The Quezon City government provides tuition grants or stipends to qualified city residents.
Its scholarship categories cover senior high school, college, postgraduate, continuing education and vocational students. Assistance may be renewed if scholars continue to satisfy the city’s requirements.
What students should prepare
Requirements vary, but applicants are commonly asked to submit:
- Certified grades or report cards
- Proof of admission or enrollment
- PSA-issued birth certificate
- Proof of household income
- Certificate of class ranking, when required
- Valid identification documents
- Proof of residence or membership in a priority group
Students should prepare their documents early and apply only through official websites, school offices or verified government channels.
They should also determine whether a scholarship permits them to receive assistance from another provider, as some national programs prohibit beneficiaries from holding two government-funded grants at the same time.
Most importantly, students should not assume that financial hardship has already closed the door to education.
A scholarship may not solve every struggle faced by a family, but it can give a young person the breathing room to remain in school, complete a degree and help change the course of an entire household.
