Pursuing education in the Philippines can be a major challenge for many Filipino students, including their parents. Fortunately, there are many scholarships offered by the government and even private companies that offer financial assistance for exemplary students who pass their requirements.
If you or you know someone who may benefit from education assistance, we listed some of the top scholarships for Filipino students.
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| We have listed the top scholarships for Filipino students. Photo Courtesy: The Summit Express |
1. DOST-SEI Scholarship
The Department of Science and Technology—Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) is considered one of the top and most sought-after scholarships in the country.
It focuses on providing aid to Filipino students who excel in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This scholarship is aimed at empowering more future leaders and innovators in the STEM area.
Read: 2025 DOST Scholarship E-Application now open
Types
- RA 7687: For economically disadvantaged but talented students
- MERIT: For students who meet the qualifications but do not pass the economic status requirement
Benefits
- Tuition and school fees coverage (Up to Php 40,000 per academic year)
- Monthly stipend of Php 8,000
- Book allowance of Php 10,000 per year
- Uniform allowance of Php 1,000
- Transportation allowances for those living outside home province (1-roundtrip ticket)
- Group health and accident insurance
- Thesis grants of Php 10,000
- Graduation allowance of Php 1,000
- Summer allowance (If required in the curriculum)
Eligibility
- Must be a Filipino citizen
- Must be Grade 12 of a recognized Philippine high school, private or public
- For the RA 7687, must belong to the top 5% of the graduating class or top 5% of the STEM strand
- Pass the DOST-SEI Scholarship Examination
- Must enroll in DOST-SEI priority courses
For RA 7687 only:
- The family's gross annual income must not exceed P300,000
- For students from marginalized sectors or remote areas, exceptions may apply
You can also visit the DOST website’s list of scholarships and grants or contact your chosen school for more information.
2. CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) is a financial assistance program given to deserving students pursuing undergraduate courses in state universities and colleges (SUCs).
The scholarship program is highly competitive, and only a limited number of students are selected each year. It aims to support qualified students, especially those who belong in the following groups:
- Underprivileged and homeless citizens (RA 7279);
- Persons with Disability (RA 7277); and
- Solo parents and/or their dependents (RA 8371).
Types:
- Full Merit
- Partial Merit
Benefits
- Tuition coverage
- Monthly stipend
- Book allowance
Eligibility
- Filipino citizen
- Graduating high school student/ High school graduate with general weighted average (GWA) of at least 96% for Full Merit Program and 93% to 95% or its equivalent for Half Merit Program
- Student-applicants belonging to the special group of persons such as the underprivileged and Homeless Citizens under Republic Act (RA) No. 7279, Persons with Disability (PWDs) under RA No. 7277 as amended, Solo Parents and/or their Dependents under RA 8371, shall submit certifications and/or Identification Cards (IDs) issued by the appropriate offices or agencies.
- Avail of only one government-funded financial assistance program.
You can also visit the CMSP website or contact your chosen SUC for more information.
3. SM Foundation Scholarship
The SM Foundation Scholarship is a prestigious program that offers financial assistance to deserving Filipino students in participating universities and colleges.
Benefits
- Full tuition
- Monthly allowance
- Part-time opportunities during Semester or Christmas break
Eligibility:
- Grade 12 student from public or private high 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
- Choice of specialization in accounting, information technology, engineering, and education
To learn more, you can check the website of SM Scholarship Program.
4. Ayala Foundation U-Go Scholarship Grant
Ayala Foundations’s U-Go Grant helps promising young women in low-income communities who study in public schools pursue higher education enrolled in public universities to pursue higher education by providing grants.
Benefits:
- Tuition (P40,000)
- Monthly stipend
- Leadership training
- Mentoring opportunities
Eligibility:
- Must be a female Filipino student
- A general weight average (GWA) of at least 85% with no failing grades
- Enrolled and Studied in public universities and colleges
- Possessing a good moral character
- An active member of the community
- Must demonstrate financial insufficiency and there’s a need for financial assistance to sustain educational finances
For more details, you can also check the Ayala Foundation’s U-Go Grant website.
5. GSIS Scholarship (Government Service Insurance System)
The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Scholarship Program is a financial assistance program offered to low-income GSIS members and permanent total disability (PTD) pensioners below 60 years of age.
Benefits:
- Tuition and miscellaneous fees up to P40,000.00 per academic year
- Monthly allowance of P3,000
Eligibility:
The following may nominate their children for scholarships:
- All permanent employees in the government with at least three (3) years of service and a salary grade of 24 or below or its equivalent job level and who are active and regular GSIS members at the time of application and who have paid premiums for the last six (6) months are eligible to apply.
- All Permanent Total Disability (PTD) pensioners who are below sixty (60) years of age
To qualify, dependents should be:
- Must be a child of a member, including the child/dependent of solo parent-member as defined under The Solo Parents’ Welfare Act or the dependent of a childless married or single member;
- An incoming college freshman-dependent who is accepted in or taking up any 4- or 5-year course at schools identified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) with its own charter or a school qualified by the CHED as Levels IV and III, autonomous or deregulated.
For the full details, you may check the GSIS Scholarship Program website.
6. Megaworld Foundation Scholarship
The Megaworld Foundation Scholarship is a program offered by the Megaworld Foundation, Inc. to academically deserving but financially challenged students since 1999.
Benefits:
- Full tuition fee
- Allowance
- Volunteerism activities and seminars
- Career opportunities
Eligibility:
- For incoming freshmen:
- Final grade report in senior high school with an average of at least 85% or its equivalent; and with at least 80% grade in all subjects.
- A passing result from a university entrance exam, letter of admission, or certificate of enrollment
- A certificate of upper 10% class ranking of graduating batch (if available)
For incoming sophomores and juniors:
- All grade reports from previous semesters to the current semester with a GPA of at least 85% or its equivalent, and with at least 80% grade in all subjects
- A full load enrollment assessment/registration form with class schedule
- Complete and most updated course curriculum
For full details on the application, you can check the Megaworld Foundation Scholarship website.
7. OWWA Scholarship Program
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Scholarship Program is a financial assistance program designed to help the children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) with their education.
Types:
- Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP) - Offers a maximum of P60,000.00 grant per scholar every school year
- OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP) - Offers a maximum of P20,000.00 gran per school year to qualified dependents of OFWs who receive a monthly salary of not more than US $600.00
Benefits:
- Tuition
- Allowance
Eligibility:
For EDSP:
A child of an active OWWA member or a sibling of a single active OWWA member who is:
1. Incoming Senior High School (Grade 12)
- must have at least 80% General Weighted Average (GWA) without failing grades upon application
- passed the qualifying examination to be conducted by DOST and belongs to the top 400 passers nationwide
2. Incoming Freshmen (1st year college)
- Single
- Grade 11 graduate (Incoming Grade 12 / currently enrolled as Grade 12)
- Not more than 21 years old
- With a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 80% or higher. If required GWA is not yet available at the time of filing of application, the academic performance of the applicant in the two consecutive preceding school year shall be used as basis for evaluation
- Belonging to the top 400 qualifiers of the Department of Science and Technology national qualifying exam
3. For those who are already enrolled in 2nd year to 5th year in college
- Not more than 30 years old
- With a GWA not lower than B letter grade or 85% equivalence in all academic and non-academic subjects during the last school year attended in full load
For ODSP:
A child of an active OWWA member or a sibling of a single active OWWA member who is:
1. Incoming Freshmen (1st year college)
- Single
- Grade 11 graduate (Incoming Grade 12 / currently enrolled as Grade 12)
- Not more than 21 years old
- With a passing grade
2. For those who are already enrolled in 2nd year to 5th year in college
- Single
- Not more than 30 years old
- With a passing grade
For more information, you can check the OWWA Scholarship website.
These are just some of the scholarships available in the Philippines that offer valuable opportunities for Filipino students to pursue their educational aspirations and secure a brighter future.
— Sally, The Summit Express
