CHED Merit Scholarship 2026-2027 Application, Requirements, Benefits | Apply Now
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is currently accepting applications for the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) for incoming first-year college students via CHED Regional.
Are you an entering first-year college student with an outstanding academic record? Qualified scholars can get up to P120,000 per year in educational support; here’s everything you need to know.
What is the CHED Merit Scholarship Programme (CMSP)?
The CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) is to academically qualified Filipino students participating in CHED-designated priority degree programs. the program is offered to both incoming and current first-year college students who meet academic and financial standards.
What are the priority programs?
The CMSP prioritizes the following programs:
First Priority
- Educational Psychology (BS Psychology and AB Psychology)
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology
Second Priority
- Based on CHED’s most recent issue of priority programs
Read also: List of Scholarships 2026
What are the Scholarship benefits?
The Scholarship covers living expenses, book allowance, internet allowance, and other educational costs. Depending on the kind of higher education institution, the fee varies.
For Students in Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs)
| Benefits | Full PESFA | Half PESFA |
| Tuition and Other School Fees | P40,000/year | P20,000/year |
| Stipend | P70,000/year | P35,000/year |
| Book/Connectivity Allowance | P10,000/year | P5,000/year |
| Total Annual Benefits | P120,000 | P60,000 |
For Students in State universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs)
| Benefits | Full SSP | Half SSP |
| Tuition and Other School Fees | Free Higher Education | Free Higher Education |
| Stipend | P70,000/year | P35,000/year |
| Book/Connectivity Allowance | P10,000/year | P5,000/year |
| Total Annual Benefits | P80,000 | P40,000 |
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the CHED Merit Scholarship 2026, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a Filipino citizen who lives in the philippines.
- Must be entering first-year college student.
- Must have graduated from a Senior high School in the Philippines with a minimum general average (GA) of 93.
- The total annual gross income of parents or legal/authorized guardians must not exceed P500,000.
- Must have been admitted to any of the following:
- State universities and Colleges (SUCs)
- Local universities and Colleges (LUCs) with Institutional Recongnition (IR)
- CHED-recognized Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs)
- Must enroll in CHED-identified priority programs.
Additional Points for Special Groups
Additional ranking points will be provided to applicants belonging to the following categories:
- Underprivileged and homeless Citizens (RA7279)
- Magna Carta Law for the Poor (RA11291)
- People with Disabilities or PWDs (RA 7277)
- Expanded Solo Parents (Ra 11861)
- Senior Citizens (RA9994)
- Indigenous People or IPs (RA8371)
- First-generation college students (the first in their family to go to college)
Note: Applicants in these categories must still meet the minimum qualifying standards.
Documentary Requirements
Applicants need to prepare and submit the following documents:
- Accomplished Application Form (Annex A)
- Photocopy of national ID, PSA-issued National ID Transaction Slip, or Birth Certificate issued by PSA/NSO.
- Certified authentic copy of Grade 12 School Form 9(SF9) or Learner’s Progress Report, signed by the school registrar.
- Any one of the following proofs of income
- Latest Income Tax Returns (ITR) of parents or legal guardians from BIR
- Certificate of Tax Exemption from BIR
- Certified authentic copy of the most recent contract or proof of income (for children of OFWs and Seafarers).
- Social Case Study Report published by the city/Municipal Social Welfare and Development office (CSWD/MSWD)
Application Deadline
- The Starting of online is on June 22, 2026 and
- The Deadline to apply Scholarship Program is on July 31, 2026.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their applications using the official CMSP Online Application Portal at bit.ly/2026CMSPApplicationPortal.
Apply Regional
| CHED Region | Online Application Link |
| CHEDRO 1 | https://bit.ly/2026CMSPApplicationPortal |
| CHEDRO 2 | https://bit.ly/2026CMSPApplicationPortal |
| CHEDRO 4 | https://bit.ly/2026CMSPApplicationPortal |
| CHEDRO 7 | 𝐡𝐭𝐭𝐩𝐬://𝐛𝐢𝐭.𝐥𝐲/𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔𝐂𝐌𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥 |
| CHEDRO 8 | https://bit.ly/2026CMSPApplicationPortal |
| CHED CARAGA | https://caraga.ched.gov.ph/ched-scholarship-program-csp/ |
[Source: CHED Scholarship]
