Thousands of incoming college freshmen could soon have access to one of the most generous scholarship packages the government has offered, with the Commission on Higher Education preparing to launch the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP) a merit-based initiative expected to cover 20,000 slots nationwide.
The program is built around academic excellence rather than financial need alone, targeting senior high school graduates who post strong grades but come from low- to middle-income households.
In exchange for support, scholars will be expected to complete a return service agreement after finishing their degree a commitment CHED frames as a way of tying the investment in each student back into the country’s workforce and public institutions.
How the funding breaks down
The size of the subsidy depends heavily on where a scholar ends up studying. Those attending state universities and colleges in Metro Manila can expect a ₱25,000 stipend per semester on top of a ₱4,000 book and connectivity allowance, bringing their total to ₱29,000 per semester.
Students who enroll in state schools outside NCR would receive a lower stipend, based on rates still being finalized.
The bigger figure comes into play for scholars attending private universities in NCR, who stand to receive a ₱75,000 tuition subsidy plus the same ₱25,000 stipend and ₱4,000 allowance an estimated ₱104,000 per semester, or roughly ₱208,000 a year, according to the Presidential Communications Office.
Students in private schools outside NCR would receive a comparatively smaller package, with annual support estimated at around ₱98,000.
Which courses qualify
Scholars won’t be able to use the grant for just any degree. The program is restricted to CHED-recognized institutions offering priority programs schools that hold recognized Centers of Excellence or Centers of Development status in fields the government considers critical to national development.
Those fields include STEM courses, agriculture and environmental science, health and allied health programs, IT and data-related degrees, and specialized teacher education tracks. CHED has indicated it may expand the list of eligible programs once the official guidelines are released.
Who can apply
To qualify, an applicant must be a Filipino citizen entering college as a first-year student, hold a Senior High School average of at least 95 percent with High or Highest Honors distinction, and come from a household that falls within CHED’s income guidelines for low- to middle-income earners.
Applicants also can’t be receiving another scholarship from a national government program at the same time.
TESDA National Certificate holders are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the academic requirements and haven’t yet earned tertiary-level units.
Required documents include a completed BPMSP application form, a PSA-issued birth certificate, a certificate of ranking or honors from senior high school, proof of household income, and an honorable dismissal certificate, along with a TESDA certificate for applicants applying under that track.
Applying through the CHED portal
While full implementing guidelines are still being finalized, CHED has outlined the expected process: applicants will start by visiting the official portal at bpms.ched.gov.ph, confirm they meet the eligibility criteria, and prepare their documents ahead of time so they’re ready once the application window opens.
From there, applications will be submitted directly through the portal, with CHED evaluating each one based on academic standing, eligibility, and how many slots remain available. Applicants who qualify will be notified through official channels.
CHED has not yet announced a specific deadline for applications. Those with questions can reach the agency’s Office of Student Development and Services, Undergraduate Studies Division, through osds@ched.gov.ph or by phone at (+632) 8988-0001.
