CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)

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Other information on this scholarship

CHED Merit Scholarship Program for incoming first-year college students for AY 2025-2026 is now CLOSED!

There are 2,779 slots available.

The deadline for submission is on June 20, 2025.

OVERVIEW

The CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) is a competitive scholarship initiative of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) that aims to support academically talented and deserving Filipino students. This program is intended for incoming/current first-year college students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance and potential for excellence in higher education.  Specifically, the CMSP is open to student applicants who have achieved a minimum General Weighted Average (GWA) of 93% or its equivalent in their Grade 12 report card.

SCOPE and COVERAGE

The CMSP covers incoming or current first-year students regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, civil status, disability, religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. Additional points in the ranking shall be given to applicants belonging to the special equity groups pursuant to the following laws: Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens under Republic Act (RA) No. 7279, Magna Carta Law for the poor under RA No. 11291, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) under RA No. 7277 as amended, Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act under RA 11861 as amended, Senior Citizens under RA 9994, and Indigenous Peoples (IPs) under RA 8371, and other relevant legislation that gives priority to the marginalized group, such as the first-generation students who are the first in their families to attend college or university. Applicants from these groups must still meet the minimum qualification requirements and shall be ranked in accordance with the program’s selection criteria.

PRIORITY PROGRAMS

  1. National
  2. Regional
  3. Gender and Development (GAD)

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

  1. Filipino Citizen,  
  2. Senior High school graduate with a minimum general weighted average (GWA) of 93% or its equivalent; and 
  3. Combined annual gross income of parents, or legal guardian should not exceed Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP500,000.00)

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

  1. Accomplished Online Application Form (please see Application Procedure);
  2. Copy of Birth certificate issued by National Statistics Office (NSO) or Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA);
  3. Certified true copy of Form 138 (Learner’s Progress Report or SF9), duly signed by the registrar or an authorized representative of the senior high school attended;
  4. Financial – The student-applicants shall submit any one (1) of the following documents whichever is applicable:
    • Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents or guardian
    • Certificate of Tax Exemption/Non-Filer issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR);
    • Certified true copy of latest contract or proof of income may be considered for children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and Seafarers; or
    • Social Case Study Report issued by the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD/MSWD).
  5. Other Requirement (if applicable)
    • PWD ID issued by CSWD/MSWD or Certification issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO);
    • Solo Parent ID issued by CSWD/MSWD;
    • Senior Citizen ID issued by CSWD/MSWD;
    • Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens certification issued by DHSUD/CSWD/MSWD;
    • Social Case Study Report issued by CSWD/MSWD covered under Magna Carta of the Poor and/or First-Generation Students
    • Indigenous Peoples Certification issued by National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
  6. Notarized Certificate of Guardianship issued by the legal guardian of the student-applicant, if applicable.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

This scholarship program shall cover tuition and other school fees (TOSF), stipend which shall be released directly to the scholars or through HEIs, and book connectivity allowance per semester of a given academic year until the completion of the degree program.

Private HEIs

Program Period TOSF Stipend Book/ Connectivity Allowance Total
Full PESFA Annual 40,000 70,000 10,000 120,000
Semestral 20,000 35,000 5,000 60,000
Half PESFA Annual 20,000 35,000 5,000 60,000
Semestral 10,000 17,500 2,500 30,000

SUCs/LUC

Program Period TOSF Stipend Book/ Connectivity Allowance Total
Full SSP Annual Free Higher Education 70,000 10,000 80,000
Semestral Free Higher Education 35,000 5,000 40,000
Half SSP Annual Free Higher Education 35,000 5,000 40,000
Semestral Free Higher Education 17,500 2,500 20,000

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

  1. Prepare the complete documentary requirements
  2. Scan the documentary requirements clearly.
  3. Send the application and documents ONLINE to your respective CHED Regional Office.

CHED MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION FORM

For inquiries, kindly contact your respective CHED Regional Office.

FORMS

Annex A – Scholarship Application Form (front) | data privacy consent (back)
Annex B-1 – Notice of Award (NOA)
Annex B-2 – Scholarship Contract
Annex C – Official Ranklist
Annex D – Masterlist
Annex E-1 – Database of Beneficiaries
Annex E-2 – Database for Transaction and Monitoring
Annex F – StuFAP Forms (by status, cy level, sex, type of HEI, special group, graduates, liquidation report form)
Annex G – HEIs Billing Statement Form
Annex H – Template Request Form
Annex I – Graduate Exit Form
Annex J – Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Annex K – Template Letter to Scholar

ISSUANCES

Memorandum from the Office of the Executive Director No. 336, series of 2025 – Call for Application for the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) for Academic Year (AY) 2025-2026

CHED Memorandum Order No. 13, series of 2025 – Revised Policies and Guidelines for the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)