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Many students wish to join a scholarship program. After all, not many are born into families with the ability to support their education financially. Others find scholarships as an opportunity to study in their desired profession. On this list are 7 Scholarship Programs in the Philippines for Filipino Students in 2023.

Scholarship grants are similar to an investment. Organizations such as the government or big companies are the ones who frequently sponsor these projects. For the government, promising students from low-income families are often chosen to improve the nation’s economic status.

On the other hand, big companies might have different motives, such as improving the company’s reputation or training promising employees. Ultimately, both parties win since the scholar can quickly secure a job from the sponsor company.

DOST-SEI Scholarship Program

The Department of Science and Technology Scholarship Program is one of the most famous scholarship grants in the country. Many look up to DOST-SEI scholars since they have passed the scholarship’s difficult exam. 

The scholarship program is part of the Republic Act 2067, also known as the Science Act of 1958. This law aims to improve the nation’s scientific and technological research to foster innovation. As part of this law, the government shall provide scholarships to promising youth that wish to enter the STEM field.

DOST-SEI scholarships used to be only for graduate studies, such as those pursuing a Master’s Degree. However, in response to the implementation of K-12, DOST also started granting scholarships to undergraduate programs to drive knowledge-centric progress by developing the nation’s future workforce.

Eligibility:

The following criteria must be met by the applicant to be considered eligible for the scholarship grant:

• Natural-born Filipino citizen – Born and raised in the Philippines, no matter their parents’ nationality.
• Must be in the STEM strand graduating class in senior high school
• For the non-STEM strand in senior high school graduates, they must belong to the top 5% of the graduating class
• In good health and moral character
• A resident of the stated barangay or municipality
• First-time DOST-SEI exam taker or took the previous DOST-SEI Exam but didn’t qualify for the scholarship.
• Does not have any undergraduate or post-secondary unit
• Passed and took the DOST-SEI scholarship assessment or the DOST-SEI undergraduate examination.

DOST priority courses

The Department of Science and Technology requires you to choose a course that focuses on STEM fields which can be one of the following:

• Applied Mathematics
• Engineering
• Astronomy
• Mathematics
• Bachelor in Technology and Livelihood Education (Specialization in Information and Communications Technology)
• Mathematics and Science Teaching
• Information and Communications Technology

SM Foundation College Scholarship Program

As one of the most prominent conglomerates in the Philippines, the SM Group of companies created the SM foundation to pursue their core principle, which is “PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE.” 

The SM Foundation’s mission is to help its surrounding communities achieve the company’s vision: “A Philippines where everyone has the opportunity for self-improvement and the environment is sustained for future generations.”

Eligibility:

• Graduates of Grade 12 from private and public schools in covered areas; Applicants coming from private schools must have a DepEd voucher and be Grade 10 finishers from public high schools;
• A general weighted average grade of at least 92% or equivalent for Grade 12 – 1st semester;
• The total household income must not exceed P150,000 annually;

Areas Covered:

• Luzon
  • NCR, Albay, Bataan, Batangas,Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Sorsogon, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac, Zambales
• Visayas
  • Capiz, Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental
• Mindanao
  • Agusan del Norte, Davao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, Zamboanga del Sur

Courses Offered 

• BSBA in Financial Management 
• BSBA in Management Accounting 
• BS in Computer Science 
• BS in Information Technology
• BS in Electronics and Communications Engineering 
• BS In Electronics Engineering
• BS Electronics Engineering 
• BS in Computer Engineering
• BS in Civil Engineering 
• BS in Electrical Engineering 
• BS in Mechanical Engineering 
• BS in Accountancy 
• BS in Accounting Technology 
• BS in Accounting Information Systems 
• BS in Internal Auditing 
• BS in Elementary Education 
• BS in Secondary Education major in Biology, Chemistry, General Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, English

CHED Scholarship

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is the highest educational authority in the Philippines. Their scholarships focus on helping impoverished students with excellent grades. Moreover, being a CHED scholar will unlock many opportunities after you graduate since CHED scholars are known to have exceptional academic abilities.

ELIGIBILITY

• A Filipino citizen
• Graduating high school students or a high school graduate with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of:
  • Full scholarship: 96%
  • Half-merit scholarship: 93%-95%

CHED priority courses:

The CHED also lists priority courses that applicants should enroll in. Choose from the following:

• Information Technology Education – (These include Computer Science, Cyber Security, Game Development, and Animation)
• Science and Mathematics – (These include Biochemistry, Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Environmental Science, and Geology)
• Engineering and Technology 

GSIS Educational Subsidy Program

The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is an insurance system that caters only to government employees. Therefore, this scholarship program is targeted toward the beneficiaries of government employees as part of their benefits. However, these are only for low-income household members of the GSIS.

With only 400 scholarships available, 40 are given to students belonging to an indigenous tribe, students in single-parent households, or those with disabilities.

ELIGIBILITY

• Grantees must be college students with a 4 or 5-year course at any year level and enrolled in any school recognized by CHED.  
• No existing scholarship from public or private institutions.;
• Children/family members of active contributors to GSIS 
• Parents must have permanent employment status and be within the salary grade 24 and below.
• Have no record of underpaid or unpaid loan amortization (for more than 3 months).  

Gawad Patnubay Scholarship Program

Sponsored by Landbank, Gawad Patnubay aims to assist underprivileged students in the countryside who wish to pursue a degree in agriculture and fisheries. Landbank is a Philippine government financial institution mandated to support the development of the nation’s rural areas. 

In addition, the scholarship program also aims to reinvigorate the country’s agricultural industry, which is an industry that’s slowly fading in the background. Furthermore, Gawad Patnubay’s education-to-employment initiative ensures the beneficiary’s career by partnering with various agricultural institutes.

ELIGIBILITY

• A Filipino citizen;
• A student undertaking any agriculture-related disciplines such as BS Agriculture or BS Fisheries;
• Completed the initial screening procedures of partner accredited local universities (entrance exams, preliminary interviews, and complete document submission.);
• Ideally, dependents of active members of LANDBANK, LCDFI Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries, and Agrarian Reform Communities; presently aid mostly cooperatives of small farmers and fishers.

• Honor students’ primary qualification: general weighted average (GWA) of at least 2.5 or its equivalent in each semester; no record of grades lower than 3.0 or equivalent in any subject
• Must not be beneficiaries of other financial assistance, grant, or scholarship from external sources, public and private funding, such as partial scholarships and educational plans.
• Annual family income must not exceed PHP 300,000.00, as stated in their BIR Income Tax Return (ITR). But exemptions apply on a case-to-case basis.

Iskolar Ni Juan 

Iskolar ni Juan is a joint venture between the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation and Universal Robina Corporation. This scholarship program differs from the others since it aims to provide technical education for its scholars.  

In partnership with TESDA, they develop the scholar’s skills in an eight-month technical training program. Afterward, they undergo On-The-Job Training at Universal Robina Corporation as either a Machine/Production Operator or an Instrumentation Technician/Machine Maintenance.

This scholarship program assures employment at URC if you pass the training. Moreover, a Certificate of Completion is given to those who complete the program, particularly in Mechatronics Servicing or Instrumentation and Control Servicing.

Eligibility

• Filipino Citizen 
• Single 
• 18-25 years old 
• Senior High School graduate 
• No grade lower than 80% in Mathematics and Science 
• From a family with an annual income of not more than PHP200,000   
• Willing to stay at GBF Technical Training Center located in Calamba, Laguna, Philippines, to undergo an 8-month academic term 
• Ready to be deployed at Universal Robina Corporation plants present in the Philippines to undergo a 4-month On-the-Job Training 
• Willing to be employed at Universal Robina Corporation plant for at least one year after completing the program 

OWWA Scholarship Program

The Overseas Workers Welfare Association promotes the well-being of Overseas Filipino Workers. This scholarship program is dedicated to those dependent on an OFW family member. 

Eligibility

• The Salary of the OFW OWWA member must be $600 (Php 33000) or less per month.
• For incoming first-year students, the applicant must be a direct family member of an active OWWA member, single, and under the age of 21.
• Applicants currently enrolled in college must be a child of an active OWWA member, single, and under 30.
• They must have completed high school and have good physical and mental health.
• They must be of good moral character.
• They must pass an admission exam conducted by the state institution or university where they intend to enroll in the OWWA Regional Welfare Offices.
• They must not be a recipient of other scholarships, public or private.

Closing Remarks

Scholarship programs are always available at the end of a school year, usually in March. Some of them even go School-to-School to encourage students to pursue higher education. 

The scholarship programs listed all have varying goals, merits, and demerits. However, taking as many scholarship exams as possible, even if it’s not your desired choice, is an excellent tactic to ensure a broader range of options. –WhatALife!/Vaughn

Sources: (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6)

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Also read: DOST-SEI for 2023 Undergraduate Scholarship now OPEN