Incoming college students will soon have expanded access to higher education nationwide following the launch of a new government-funded, merit-based scholarship program.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Friday signed a joint memorandum circular establishing the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP) at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.
The agreement was signed by CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara, and TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez.
In her speech during the program’s launch, Agrupis said the initiative aims to strengthen merit within the national scholarship system by identifying academic excellence early and ensuring sustained support for deserving students.
The BPMSP has an approved PHP634-million allocation from the national government, which will fund 20,000 merit scholarship slots across the country.
Under the program, scholars may enroll in public and private higher education institutions offering CHED-identified priority degree programs aligned with workforce needs, including education, healthcare, engineering, agriculture, digital technology, creative industries, and finance.
To ensure transparency and consistency, Agrupis said the agency will implement the scholarship through a fully digital system covering application, validation, and monitoring. The shared standards and accountability mechanisms under the joint circular issued by CHED, DepEd, and TESDA will govern the program.
For scholars enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Metro Manila, benefits may include a PHP25,000 per-semester stipend and a PHP4,000 book and connectivity allowance, for a total of PHP29,000 per semester. Stipends will be lower for scholars studying in SUCs outside the National Capital Region.
Meanwhile, students enrolled in private higher education institutions within NCR may receive a PHP75,000 annual tuition subsidy, a PHP25,000 per-semester stipend, and a PHP4,000 book and connectivity allowance. Total annual support for private university scholars will be PHP208,000 in the NCR and PHP98,000 outside the NCR.
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