Incoming college students have more options to explore academic programs nationwide through a new merit-based scholarship program the government offers to deserving students.
On Friday, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in partnership with the Department of Education and the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, signed a joint memorandum circular outlining the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP) policies and guidelines at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena.
CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis, who hails from Batac City, led the signing alongside DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara and TESDA Director General Jose Francisco Benitez.
In her speech during the BPMSP launch, Agrupis said the initiative “strengthens the role of merit within the national scholarship system by ensuring that academic excellence is identified early and supported decisively.”
With an approved funding of PHP634 million from the national government, Agrupis said this will cover 20,000 slots for merit scholars nationwide.
“Scholars can now enroll in quality public and private higher education institutions offering CHED-identified priority degree programs related to ongoing workforce gaps in fields like education, healthcare, engineering, agriculture, digital tech, creative industries, and finance,” she said.
For integrity and consistency, Agrupis said the program will be implemented through a fully digital system covering application, validation, and monitoring.
This will also be reinforced by the joint circular of CHED, DepEd, and TESDA on shared standards and accountability.
Under the program, eligible scholars enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Metro Manila could receive a PHP25,000 per-semester stipend and a PHP4,000 book and connectivity allowance, for a total per-semester benefit of PHP29,000.
The stipend is lower for scholars enrolled in SUCs outside the National Capital Region (NCR).
Meanwhile, those studying in private universities within NCR can receive a tuition fee subsidy of PHP75,000, a PHP25,000 stipend, and a PHP4,000 book and connectivity allowance.
The total annual support for students enrolling in private universities is set at PHP208,000 for those in the NCR and PHP98,000 for those outside the NCR. (PNA)