Government Scholarships in the Philippines: Complete Guide

Government Scholarships in the Philippines: Complete Guide

The Philippine government helps pay for college in several ways, from free tuition at state universities to full scholarships with a monthly allowance. Many students don't know the full picture, so here it is. Amounts and rules change each year, so confirm the details with the agency before you apply.

RA 10931: free tuition at state and local universities

The biggest single program. Under RA 10931 (the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act):

• Qualified Filipino students at state universities and colleges (SUCs) and CHED-recognized local universities and colleges (LUCs) pay no tuition and no miscellaneous fees
• This covers schools such as UP, PUP, the MSU system and regional state universities
• You still need to pass the school's admission requirements (often its own entrance exam, such as the UPCAT or PUPCET) and meet its retention rules
• Books, transport, and board and lodging aren't covered

For many families, getting into a state university is the single biggest way to cut the cost of college.

Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES)

Also under RA 10931, TES gives a grant to help with the cost of college for students from low-income households, with priority for students from households in the government's poverty lists. It's available at SUCs, CHED-recognized LUCs and private higher education institutions, subject to prioritization and available funds. Check with UniFAST and your school's scholarship office for the current amounts and how to apply.

DOST-SEI Undergraduate Scholarships

The top government scholarship for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) courses. There are two tracks:

• RA 7687: for students from families who meet DOST-SEI's socioeconomic cut-offs
• Merit: no income test

Who can apply: natural-born Filipinos in Grade 12 (or SHS graduates with no college units). All STEM-strand students may apply; non-STEM students must be in the top 5% of their class.

Benefits for 2026 scholars included tuition and fees of up to ₱40,000 a year, a ₱8,000 monthly living allowance, a ₱10,000 yearly learning materials and connectivity allowance, plus thesis, graduation, transportation and clothing allowances and insurance.

The exam is tough: in the 2026 cycle, 8,500 of 97,617 examinees qualified (8.71%). Applications for the 2027 scholarships closed on September 17, 2026, and the nationwide qualifying exam is on November 14–15, 2026.

See the DOST-SEI scholarship guide.

CHED scholarships and grants

CHED runs merit-based scholarships and smaller financial assistance grants such as Tulong Dunong, with income and grade requirements that vary by program. CHED also administers medical scholarships under the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act (RA 11509) for students who agree to serve in the public health system after they graduate. Check the CHED regional office for your area for the current calls.

For high school: ESC and SHS vouchers

DepEd's GASTPE programs help students attend private high schools: the Educational Service Contracting (ESC) program for junior high school and the Senior High School Voucher Program for SHS.

LGU scholarships

Many provinces, cities and municipalities run their own scholarships, and some are funded through the Sangguniang Kabataan. Amounts and rules vary widely, so ask your city or municipal hall and your barangay.

Military and police academies

Philippine Military Academy (PMA)

• A free college education at the PMA, leading to a degree (BS Management major in Security Studies) and a commission in the AFP
• Entry is through the PMA Entrance Exam. In 2025, 1,436 of 24,671 examinees passed (5.82%)
• Applicants must be single, natural-born Filipinos aged 17–22 on admission, with an SHS general average of at least 85%
• The 2026 exam ran from July to September 2026; the 2027 exam hasn't been announced yet

Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA)

• A free college education (BS in Public Safety), leading to a commission as a Police Lieutenant, Fire Inspector or Jail Inspector
• Entry is through the PNPA Cadet Admission Test, which is on October 25, 2026 for Class 2031. In the last cycle, 1,627 of 21,179 examinees passed (7.68%)

Private and corporate scholarships

Company foundations, banks and civic groups also fund scholarships, often with work or service commitments after graduation. Ask your school's scholarship office for a list, and apply to several.

How to apply

For most government scholarships:

1. Check eligibility: income, grades, strand or course requirements
2. Take any required exam: the DOST-SEI exam, the PMA or PNPA exam, or your target university's entrance test
3. Prepare documents: PSA birth certificate, school records, proof of income
4. Submit on time: most programs have short, strict windows

Start planning in Grade 11. Many deadlines fall a full year before college starts.

Common mistakes

• Not applying because you doubt yourself: apply anyway if you meet the requirements
• Missing deadlines
• Not checking the rules on combining grants: some can be combined, others can't
• Applying to only one: apply broadly and choose among the offers you get

When DOST-SEI is the priority

If you're taking a STEM course and qualify, DOST-SEI is one of the most valuable undergraduate scholarships in the country. Applying is free, so it's worth a try even if you're unsure.

Where Super Tutor fits

Super Tutor has reviewers for the main college entrance and scholarship tests: UPCAT (with full mock exams), ACET, DLSU's DCAT, USTET, PUPCET, the FEU and CEU entrance exams, MSU-SASE, the DOST-SEI scholarship exam, and the PMA and PNPA entrance exams. See every exam Super Tutor covers or start free — 5-day trial, no card needed.

What to read next

• DOST-SEI scholarship value explained
• Scholarship deadlines and application tips
• Choosing a college after CET acceptance