The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is one of the agencies of the Philippine government. This agency is in-charge of encouraging and developing relevant and quality higher education. They ensure that every student has access to quality higher education. They also give assurance and protect academic freedom for continuing intellectual growth, advancement of learning and research, development of responsible and effective leadership, education on high level professionals, and enrichment of historical and cultural heritages.
CHED’s mandate includes ensuring quality education in higher education institutions (HEIs), formulating policies and standards for HEIs, administering scholarships and grants for faculty and students, accrediting programs and institutions, and providing technical assistance and support to HEIs.
Vision
Philippine higher education system that is equitable and producing locally responsive, innovative, and global competitive graduates and lifelong learners.
Mission
To promote equitable access and ensure quality and relevance of higher education institutions and their programs.
Mandate
The Philippine government puts education as the center of their strategy in reducing poverty, building national competitiveness, and pursuant to Republic Act 7722, CHED shall:
- Promote relevant and quality higher education (i.e. higher education institutions and programs are at par with international standards and graduates and professionals are highly competent and recognized in the international arena);
- Ensure that quality higher education is accessible to all who seek it particularly those who may not be able to afford it;
- Guarantee and protect academic freedom for continuing intellectual growth, advancement of learning and research, development of responsible and effective leadership, education of high level professionals, and enrichment of historical and cultural heritages; and
- Commit to moral ascendancy that eradicates corrupt practices, institutionalizes transparency and accountability and encourages participatory governance in the Commission and the sub-sector
Quality Policy Statement
Cultivate an equitable and sustainable higher education landscape that produces locally responsive, innovative, globally competitive graduates, and lifelong learners;
Harmonize mandates to promote inclusive access to higher education, ensure sustainable quality assurance of programs, and assert relevance of institutions;
Exemplify resilience and humility in service, integrity, excellence, and development-driven mindset; and,
Demonstrate continuous improvement in our Quality Management System to achieve our vision.
Power and Function
The president of the Philippines appointed a chairman and four other commissioners to ensure that the purposes, programs, and services of the CHED are implemented. According to Section 8 of Republic Act no. 7722, CHED shall:
- Formulate and recommend development plans, policies, priorities, and programs on higher education;
- Formulate and recommend development plans, policies, priorities, and programs on research;
- Recommend to the executive and legislative branches priorities and grants on higher education and research;
- Set minimum standards for programs and institutions of higher learning recommended by panels of experts in the field and subject to public hearing, and enforced the same;
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of programs and institutions of higher learning for appropriate incentives as well as the imposition of sanctions such as, but not limited to, diminution or withdrawal of subsidy, recommendation on the downgrading or withdrawal of accreditation, program termination or school course;
- Identify, support and develop potential centers of excellence in program areas needed for the development of world-class scholarship, nation building and national development;
- Recommend to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) the budgets of public institutions of higher learning as well as general guidelines for the use of their income;
- Rationalize programs and institutions of higher learning and set standards, policies and guidelines for the creation of new ones as well as the conversion or elevation of schools to institutions of higher learning, subject to budgetary limitations and the number of institutions of higher learning in the province or region where creation, conversion or elevation is sought to be made;
- Develop criteria for allocating additional resources such as research and program development grants, scholarships, and the other similar programs: Provided, that these shall not detract from the fiscal autonomy already enjoyed by colleges and universities;
- Direct or redirect purposive research by institutions of higher learning to meet the needs of agro-industrialization and development;
- Devise and implement resource development schemes;
- Administer the Higher Education Development Fund, as described in Section 10 of R.A. 7722, which will promote the purposes of higher education;
- Review the charters of institutions of higher learning and state universities and colleges including the chairmanship and membership of their governing bodies and recommend appropriate measures as basis for necessary action;
- Promulgate such rules and regulations and exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary to carry out effectively the purpose and objectives of R.A. 7722; and
- Perform such other functions as may be necessary for its effective operations and for the continued enhancement, growth and development of higher education.
Programs and Services
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) created programs and services that will give the students the highest quality education they deserve. CHED provides the following programs and services:
- Scholarships, student loans, and subsidies to qualified students
- Introduce a quality assurance system higher education institutions
- Monitoring the execution of the K to 12 Basic Education Program
- Regulation of private higher education institutions
- Creating and approving new higher education programs
- Managing research on higher education
- Creating guidelines for recognition of foreign qualifications in the Philippines
- Encourage international linkage in higher education
- Providing technical assistance to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
- Execute special projects for the development of specific sectors in higher education
Qualifications and Requirements for CHED Scholarship
For Filipino students who have financial difficulties but still want to pursue tertiary education, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) offers a lot of programs and services but they also set a list of qualifications that students and their parents or guardians need to meet. Please note that every program and service may have additional qualifications and requirements. The list that we are about to give is a general qualifications and requirements.
Qualifications:
- Filipino citizen
- Graduating high school student or high school graduate
- General Weighted Average (GWA):
- Must have 96% GWA or above for Full State Scholarship Program (FSSP) and Full Private Education Student Financial Assistance (FPESPA)
- 93% -95% GWA for Half-PESPA and Half-SSP
- Parents’ or guardians’ annual gross income:
- Combined annual gross income must not exceed Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 400,000)
- If the annual gross income is higher than Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 400,000), the applicant must present written certification or medical findings of illness of a family member, or school certifications of two or more dependents enrolled in college
- Have not applied or not part of any government-funded financial assistance program
Requirements:
- Certified true copy of Birth Certificate
- Certified true copy of high school report card
- Certified true copy of grades for Grade 11 and 1st semester of Grade 12 (for graduating high school students)
- Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents or guardians
- Certificate of Tax Exemption from Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
- Certificate of indigence (from Barangay or Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD)
- Case Study Report (Department of Social Welfare and Development – DSWD)
- Contract or proof of income for children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and seafarers
- Valid certification of Certification certify that you are:
- Persons with Disability (PWD) under RA 7277
- Solo Parent and/or their dependents under RA 8972
- Underprivileged and homeless citizen under RA 7279
- Senior Citizen under RA 9994
- Indigenous People under RA 8371
Every scholar must maintain their General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 85% or equivalent. Failure to do so will result in termination of the scholarship grant.
Application for CHED StuFAPs
For students who are interested and qualified for the scholarship, they must choose the link of their region to submit their application. Every region has its specific application so make sure you are choosing the region where you live.
- NCR- https://csp-application.chedro-ncr.com/application/index.htm
- Region 1- https://stufaps.chedro1.com/application/
- Region 2- https://stufaps.chedregion2.com/
- Region 3-https://chedro3.ched.gov.ph/chedro3stufap/
- Region 4A- http://csp.chedcalabarzon.com/
- Region 4B- https://mimaropa.ched.gov.ph/csp-application/
- Region 5- https://chedro5stufap.com/
- Region 6- https://chedro6.com/
- Region 7 –http://chedro7.com/csp/
- Region 8- https://www.chedro8stufap.com/
- Region 9- https://www.chedro9.com/
- Region 10- https://ro10.ched.gov.ph/
- Region 11- https://stufaps.chedroxi.com/
- Region 12-
- CAR- http://faster.chedcar.com/
- CARAGA- https://csp.chedcaraga.ph/login
- BARMM (link not yet available)
CHED Priority Courses
If you are applying for a scholarship, check the list of priority courses of CHED to make sure that your chosen course is aligned with CHED’s.
Engineering and Technology
- Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
- Ceramic Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering / Electronics and Communications Engineering
- Food Engineering
- Geodetic Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Manufacturing / Production Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Petroleum Engineering
- Pobotics Engineering
- Sanitary Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Aircraft Maintenance Technology
- Aviation Related Programs
- Engineering Technology
- Industrial Technology
- Mechatronics Engineering Technology
Information Technology Education
- Computer Science
- Cyber Security
- Entertainment and Multimedia Computing / Game Development and Animation
- Information System
- Information Technology
- Library and information Science
Science and Mathematics
- Applied Physics / Physics
- Applied Mathematics / Mathematics
- Applied Statistics/ Statistics
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Botany
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Geology
- Human Biology
- Marine Biology
- Marine Science
- Meteorology
- Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
Architecture and Related Programs
- Architecture
- Fine Arts
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Environmental Planning
Business and Management
- Accountancy
- Business Analytics (straight major)
- Hospitality Management/ Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Tourism Management/ Tourism
Maritime Education
- Maritime Engineering Marine Transportation
Teacher Education
- Secondary Education major in Science and Mathematics
- Culture and Arts
- Early Childhood Education
- Special Needs Education
- Sports and Exercise Science
Health Profession Education
- Doctor of Dental Medicine
- Doctor Of Optometry
- Medical Technology / Medical Laboratory Science
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Occupational Therapy
- Pharmacy
- Physical Therapy
- Radiologic Technology
- Respiratory Therapy
- Speech Language Pathology
Social Sciences
- Community Development
- Human Services (Guidance and Counselling)
- Indigenous Peoples Studies/ Education
- Peace Studies/ Education
- Psychology
- Social Work
Multi and Interdisciplinary Cluster
- Agribusiness
- Agro-forestry
- Data Science and Analytics
- Disaster Risk Management/ Climate Change
- Renewable / Sustainable Energy
VIDEO: One on One: CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera
Watch this one on one interview with CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera by CNN Philippines.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first before applying for a scholarship?
You must first notify your school of your intention to apply. The school then will send an official letter to CHED Regional Office.
Can I take more than one course?
Yes. An applicant can take a maximum of two courses but from different disciplines.
How long do I have before enrolment if my application was approved?
An applicant has only one semester after receiving the notification of approval. If the student fails to enroll, he or she will forfeit the scholarship and it will be transferred to another applicant.
When can I apply for the CHED scholarship?
The application starts from 1st February to 15th April of every year.
When will I know if my application has been approved?
All applicants will receive a notification from CHED on or before the 30th of May of every year.
Do I have to render any services after I graduate?
Yes. Every scholar has to complete a minimum of 4-year teaching activity in any accredited SUCs/CHED Institutions or until they pass the licensure examinations for their chosen courses.
Can I apply for a CHED scholarship if I am from private school?
No, private schools are not recognized by CHED.
Is K-12 education covered by CHED?
No. CHED only covers tertiary education.
Is there an age limit to apply for a scholarship?
Yes. Only applicants who will turn 18 by the end of June can apply.
How much is the CHED scholarship?
CHED only covers the students’ tuition fees. It does not cover miscellaneous fees, personal expenses, and other expenses needed to study. Accommodations are only available for summer school programs.
Can I send my application multiple times?
No. You can only file an application once per semester or summer school program.
How can I reach CHED if I have some questions?
To reach CHED, you may send an email at info@chedscholarships.com.
Summary
Every government wants to have a stable economy and good governance and one way of doing it is to invest in their people. This is why the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ensures that every Filipino student has access to quality tertiary education that will help the country to develop.
The CHED created different initiatives, programs, services, and facilities to help achieve the goal they set for Filipino students. These projects will greatly benefit financially-incapable students who want to pursue their education and to reach their dreams.