Education is a right that every one of us must have access to. Thankfully, several government agencies have partnered with educational institutions to uphold this right and set forth various scholarship programs to help the bright but needy youth get their education.

Below is a list of public scholarships that you can apply for.

CHED-STUFAP

The Commission for Higher Education has always been one of the government agencies that offer full and partial scholarships to qualified students. They offer these grants to students enrolling in priority courses.

If you’re an incoming college freshman planning to enroll in the following fields, then you can apply for a CHED scholarship:

• Information technology
• Agriculture and related fields
• Education
• Science and math courses
• Engineering
• Health sciences
• Arts and humanities
• Social and behavioral sciences
• Business administration
• Architecture
• Maritime
• Communication

Based on your GWA, you can avail of either a full or partial scholarship. GWA must be at least 90% for full scholarships and having a GWA of 85% can net you a partial scholarship. Learn more here.

Submission deadline: TBA

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DOST-SEI

The DOST-SEI scholarship is awarded to qualified students with high aptitude in science and mathematics. If you’re an incoming college freshman who wishes to pursue a course in science and technology, you are eligible for this scholarship. Other eligibilities include being a member of the stem strand in senior high school and a qualifier of the S&T scholarship examination.

Qualified students can enroll in science and technology programs in state universities and colleges, institutions that CHED identifies as Centers of Excellence, or DOST-SEI identified network institutions.

This scholarship can be availed as well by incoming third-year college students also pursuing degrees in the field of science and technology. They must have a GWA of at least 83% during their first and second years to qualify.

Scholars receive P40,000 a year for tuition and school fees as well as book and travel allowances. They also receive monthly stipends of up to P10,000 a year. You can learn more here.

Submission deadline: August 28, 2020 (closed)

OWWA Scholarships

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration has also established scholarship programs for the children of Overseas Filipino Workers. There are three: Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP), OFW Dependent Scholarship Program (ODSP), and Educational Livelihood Assistance Program (ELAP).

EDSP is offered to qualified dependents of active OWWA members who wish to pursue a 4-5 year course in their preferred college or university. Qualified scholars are given financial assistance of P60,000 per school year.

Incoming first-year students who wish to apply for this grant must have an average grade of at least 80%, while students who are already in their 2nd to 5th year of college must have a GWA of a least 85% from their last school year. They must also pass the qualifying examination conducted by DOST and must have a parent or guardian who is an active OWWA member.

ODSP is offered to dependents of an active OWWA member whose salary is not more than US$600. This grant is also offered to incoming college freshmen or students who are already enrolled in college.

Lastly, ELAP is for the dependents of OFWs who were active OWWA members at the time of death. It also includes convicted OFWs facing the death penalty in the country where they are working. The grant is given to only one child, usually the eldest. The amount of financial assistance varies depending on the grade level of the dependent.

To see if you qualify, check their website here.

Submission deadline: First week of August of every year

BFAR-FSP

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources continues its Fisheries Scholarship Program for SY 2021-2022. Full scholarship is awarded to high school graduates taking up Bachelor of Science in Fisheries. The program has three components: Fisheries Children Educational Grant (FCEG), the Fisheries Industry and Leaders Grant (FILG), and the Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs).

FILG is for high school graduates who belong to the top 10 of their class, while FCEG is for graduates whose parents or guardians are registered fisherfolk. And the ICCs/IPs are reserved for students who belong to indigenous communities around the Philippines.

To qualify, applicants must have a GWA of at least 80% with no failing grade or for ICCs/IPs, at least a GWA of 75%. They must also pass the examination conducted by the BFAR Regional Office. More information can be found here.

Submission deadline: December 2020 (Closed)

DSP-DARBs

DAR Scholarship Program for the Dependents of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries was established to assist the children of Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries who wish to pursue a degree in the field of Agriculture.

Scholars enjoy paid tuition and miscellaneous fees, a monthly allowance of P3,000, and allowances for books, transportation, and lodging. It also includes a thesis allowance of P10,000 if applicable.

To qualify, the student must have at least a GWA of 83% and provide proof that their parent or guardian is an ARB, among other qualifications that are listed here.

Submission deadline: January 31, 2021

PESFA

TESDA established Private Education Student Financial Assistance or PESFA to offer educational grants to deserving college freshmen in degree and non-degree courses. This program seeks to promote TVET (Technical-Vocational Education and Training) and produce a skilled workforce.

Applicants must be high school graduates, have a GWA of at least 85%, and will enroll in priority courses indicated by TESDA’s guidelines. You can check the list of degree and non-degree courses as well as the application process on their website.

Submission deadline: TBA

NCIP-EAP/MBS

The national commission on indigenous peoples also includes in their services IP education and advocacy with Educational Assistance Program and Merit-Based Scholarship Program. These grants are reserved for qualified ICCs/IPs.

The EAP provides P10,000 to deserving students. The MBS offers free tuition and allowances for books, uniforms, travel, and lodging to top IP students.

EAP scholars are required to maintain at least 80% GWA and 85% for MBS scholars. Learn more here.

Submission deadline: TBA

NTA-TGSP

The National Tobacco Administration under the Department of Agriculture has also set forth Tobacco Growers Scholarship Program mainly for needy but deserving children of tobacco farmers. Qualified dependents can enroll in-state colleges/universities and private/public tech-voc schools within Region 1 and Cordillera Autonomous Region.

To qualify, the applicant must be a high school graduate who wishes to pursue a course in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, home technology, or economics. The applicant must also be a legitimate dependent of a tobacco grower. One condition, though, is they can only enroll in an institution within their home province.

The grant includes tuition and miscellaneous fees coverage and allowance.

Visit their website to learn how to apply.

Submission deadline: TBA

GSIS Scholarship

The government service insurance system has set up the GSIS Scholarship Program (GSP) for the dependents of low-income GSIS members. They also reserve slots for dependents of PWDs, IPs, and single parents.

Interested applicants must be incoming college freshmen taking up 4 or 5-year priority courses identified by CHED and enrolling in an institution also qualified by CHED. They must also have a parent or guardian who is an active GSIS member.

The grant includes tuition and miscellaneous fees coverage not exceeding P40,000 per year and a monthly allowance of P3,000. There are also monetary incentives for scholars who graduate with Latin Honors, ranging from P20,000 up to P50,000. For more information, click here.

Submission deadline: TBA

Good luck!