[Re-opened for 2023] CHED Merit Scholarship Program, CMSP

Overview: One of the scholarships that CHED offers for incoming college students is called the CHED Merit Scholarship Program or CMSP. This was re-opened for the Academic Year 2003–2004 after it was suspended last year.

The goal of CMSP is to provide financial assistance to incoming first-year college students who will take up any of the identified priority programs in any authorized private higher education institutions (HEIs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), or Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs).

This is a yearly competitive student financial assistance program given to students based on their grades from the previous school year. The Full Merit and Half Merit scholarship may be awarded to qualified student applicants.

Qualifications

Student applicants must comply with the following criteria to qualify for the scholarship grant:

1. Filipino citizens of good moral character.

2. Must not be more than 30 years of age at the time of application except for senior citizens.

3. Must be a candidate for graduation or graduated high school with a general weighted average (GWA) of at least 96% for the Full Merit Program and 93% to 95% or its equivalent for the Half Merit Program.

4. Combined annual gross income must not exceed P400,000.

5. Must not be a recipient of any government scholarship and financial assistance.

The scholarship is open to all qualified and deserving students, preferably those belonging to a special group of persons such as the following:

• Underprivileged and homeless.

• Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

• Solo parents and their dependents.

• Members of a cultural minority.

• Members of the Hill tribe.

• Senior citizens

Documentary requirements

Submit the following documents for evaluation purposes.

1. Birth certificate (PSA or NSO) as proof that you are a Filipino citizen.

2. A high-school report card or certified true copy of grades for Grade 11 and 1st semester of Grade 12 for graduating high-school students.

3. Any of the following:

   • Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents or guardians.

   • Certificate of Tax Exemption from BIR.

   • Certificate of Indigence either from their Barangay or Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

   • Case study report from DSWD.

   • The latest copy of the contract or proof of income may be considered for children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and seafarers.

4. Certificate of good moral character.

Proof of the following (if applicable):

• Parents are senior citizens
• Belonging to an indigenous group
• Solo parents or their dependents
• A person with a disability (PWD)
• Underprivileged and homeless

Benefits of a CHED scholar

As a CHED scholar, you don’t have to worry about paying your tuition, miscellaneous fees, and other school fees. CHED scholars also get a monthly allowance or stipend every semester which will be released directly to the scholars or through the school/Higher Education Institution.

The breakdown of financial assistance is as follows:

Private university

Every semester, full scholars of CHED who are enrolled in a private university get P20,000 for their tuition and other school fees, P35,000 allowance, and P5,000 for books.

Here’s the breakdown of the benefits of CHED scholars who are enrolled in a private university.

Public university

For CHED scholars who prefer to enroll in a state or public university, they get FREE tuition while receiving P40,000 per semester for a stipend and book allowance.

How to apply for the CHED Scholarship

NOTE: Incomplete application requirements will NOT be considered. Documents submitted to CHED will NOT be returned to the applicants.

1. Prepare the documentary requirements.
2. Scan the documents clearly.
3. Submit online all the required documents to your CHED Regional Office.

Responsibilities

CHED scholars are required to study full-time and must be regular students in a recognized private or public university in the Philippines.

Students with full-merit scholarships have to maintain a grade of at least 85% while half-merit scholars are required to maintain a grade of at least 80%.

WARNING: Failure to maintain the required GWA is a ground for termination of the scholarship. However, you can ask for reconsideration within 15 days from the notice of your GWA.

NOTE: If you intend to transfer to another school or shift to another course, you need to secure approval first from the Regional Office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final thoughts

Overall, the CMSP is a valuable opportunity for promising Filipino students to pursue their higher education goals without having to worry about the financial burden.