CHED opens merit scholarship applications for college, TECH-VOC students

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has opened applications for the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP) for the first semester of Academic Year 2026–2027, offering government-funded tuition support, stipends, and academic incentives to outstanding senior high school graduates pursuing priority college and technical-vocational courses.

Applications will remain open until June 30, 2026 or until available slots are filled through the official BPMSP portal.

The merit-based scholarship program supports qualified Filipino students entering either higher education institutions under the CHED track or technical-vocational programs under the TESDA track.

According to program guidelines, the scholarship aims to recognize academic excellence, expand access to education, and help develop skilled professionals who can contribute to national development under the government’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda.

Under the Higher Education (HE) track, scholars enrolling in CHED-identified priority bachelor’s degree programs in qualified Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may receive free tuition and other school fees, stipends and allowances, as well as Academic Excellence Incentives for top-performing scholars per region and academic term.

Meanwhile, scholars under the Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) track may receive tuition coverage, stipends, and book or connectivity allowances while pursuing TESDA-identified priority diploma programs and National Certification qualifications in accredited institutions.

The scholarship is open to incoming first-year Filipino students from households with a combined annual income of up to P2 million.

For the HE track, applicants must either belong to the Top Five of their graduating senior high school class or have a minimum General Weighted Average (GWA) of 95 percent. Applicants for the TVET track must have at least a 90 percent GWA.

Applicants must also be enrolling in identified priority fields and must not yet have earned units or degrees in tertiary education.

Priority areas under the Higher Education track include healthcare, engineering, education, agriculture and fisheries, digital technology, financial services, creative industries, and science and mathematics.

For the TVET track, priority areas include agriculture, information and communication technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing and semiconductor-related programs.

CHED said priority degree programs offered by participating HEIs must meet at least one of several quality benchmarks, including designation as Centers of Excellence or Development, Level III or IV accreditation, or approval by the Commission en Banc.

The scholarship program also requires scholars to render return service in the Philippines after completing their studies.

Applicants are required to submit documents including PSA birth certificates, report cards, proof of household income, enrollment or admission documents, and signed parent or guardian certifications.

CHED advised applicants to use only official government websites and social media pages when accessing scholarship information and warned the public against fake scholarship announcements circulating online.

The BPMSP is being implemented in partnership with TESDA and the Department of Education as part of broader government efforts to strengthen workforce development and expand educational access in critical industries and professions. — Sherilyn Untalan/RSJ, GMA News