CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)

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

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
   
   • CHED Memorandum Order No. 7, series of 2023 – List of Identified Priority Programs for CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) for Academic Years (AY) 2023-2024 to 2027-2028
2. Regional
   
   • Memorandum from the Chairperson -Regional Priority Courses for CHED Scholarship Programs (CSPs) Effective Academic Year 2021-2022
3. Gender and Development (GAD)
   
   • Memorandum from the Chairperson – Gender and Development STUFAPs Slot Allocation for AY 2011-2012

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

SUCs/LUC

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.

ISSUANCES

CHED Memorandum Order No. 8, series of 2019 – Policies and Guidelines for CHED Scholarship Programs (CSPs)

CHED Memorandum Order No. 11, series of 2021 – Amendments to Section 6 and 12 of CMO No. 8, s. 2019

Memorandum from the Chairperson – Call for Applications for the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) for Academic Year (AY) 2023-2024

Memorandum from the Chairperson – Advisory on the Temporary Suspension of Application for CHED Merit Scholarship Programs for Academic Year (AY) 2022-2023

Memorandum from the Chairperson – Gender and Development STUFAPs Slot Allocation for AY 2011-2012

CHED Memorandum Order No. 7, series of 2023 – List of Identified Priority Programs for CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) for Academic Years (AY) 2023-2024 to 2027-2028

Memorandum from the Chairperson -Regional Priority Courses for CHED Scholarship Programs (CSPs) Effective Academic Year 2021-2022

Memorandum from the Chairperson – Call for Application for the CHED Merit Scholarship Programs (CMSP) for Academic Year 2024-2025

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