- The Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP) Higher Education Track is now open for incoming first-year college students for AY 2026-2027.
- Scholars receive up to ₱45,000 in stipend per year, plus tuition coverage, with top performers eligible for an additional ₱18,000 academic excellence incentive per term.
- The application deadline is June 30, 2026, or earlier once all slots are filled – so applying early matters.
This one is for the academic standouts. If you graduated Senior High School in the Top 5 of your class or with a GWA of at least 95% the government has a scholarship that matches your effort.
The Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program, or BPMSP, is now open for AY 2026-2027. Administered by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the Higher Education Track, it was designed to support the country’s best students pursuing degree programs that address critical workforce gaps from healthcare and engineering to education and digital technology.
The deadline is June 30, 2026 – or sooner if all slots are filled. Apply early.
Read Also: Ayala Foundation Scholarship 2026
What do scholars receive?
The BPMSP benefit package varies depending on whether you enroll in a public or private university:
If you’re in a state or local university (SUCs/LUCs):
| Benefit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and other school fees | Covered under the Free Higher Education Act (RA 10931) |
| Stipend and allowance | ₱45,000 per year (₱22,500 per semester) |
| Academic Excellence Incentive | *₱18,000 per term (Top 15 scholars per region) |
If you’re in a private college or university (Private HEIs):
| Benefit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition and other school fees | Up to ₱45,000 per year (₱22,500 per semester) |
| Stipend and allowance | ₱45,000 per year (₱22,500 per semester) |
| Academic Excellence Incentive | *₱18,000 per term (Top 15 scholars per region) |
*The Academic Excellence Incentive is awarded to the top 15 scholars per region per term. It’s subject to fund availability and approval but if you’re already aiming for a 95% GWA just to qualify, you’re already in the running for it.
One important note for private school applicants: the ₱45,000 tuition coverage is a cap, not a guarantee. If your school’s actual fees exceed that amount, you’ll need to cover the difference yourself.
Are you eligible?
The BPMSP sets a higher bar than most government scholarships. You need to meet all of the following:
- Incoming first-year college student for AY 2026–2027
- Graduated from Grade 12 in the Top 5 of your graduating class, OR with a minimum GWA of 95% (or its equivalent)
- Have not earned any units or degree in tertiary education
- Parents or legal guardians have a combined annual gross income not exceeding ₱2,000,000
- Must enroll in a BPMSP priority program at a qualified Delivering Higher Education Institution (DHEI)
- Must be willing to sign a return service undertaking committing to work in the Philippines after graduation
Read also: DOST JLSS Scholarship 2026
Other students who may also apply:
Even if you don’t fit the standard incoming freshman profile, you may still qualify if you meet the GWA and income requirements and have not yet earned tertiary units:
- Holders of TESDA NC I, NC II, NC III, or NC IV certificates
- SHS Tech-Voc graduates
- Individuals already employed who are seeking a college degree
- Students who completed Fourth Year High School on or before SY 2015–2016 under the old DepEd curriculum
You are NOT eligible if:
- You are a foreign national or hold dual citizenship
- You have already earned undergraduate units or completed a degree
- You are a transferee or shiftee with credited units
- You are already receiving any nationally government-funded scholarship (note: LGU grants, private organization scholarships, and one-time community-based grants do not count against you)
- You have a pending disciplinary case in school or at work
- You submitted incomplete, falsified, or tampered documents
That income limit of ₱2,000,000 is worth noting it’s significantly higher than most other government scholarships, which means more families qualify for this one.
Do you get extra ranking points?
Yes. CHED gives additional ranking points to applicants from the following groups you still need to meet the minimum requirements, but these boost your chances in the selection process:
- Indigenous Peoples (RA 8371)
- Persons with Disabilities (RA 7277)
- Solo parents and their dependents (RA 8972, as amended by RA 11861)
- Senior citizens (RA 9994)
- First-generation college students meaning no one in your immediate family has attended college before you
What courses and schools qualify?
Not all degree programs and not all schools are covered. The BPMSP focuses on eight priority domains:
- Agriculture and Fisheries
- Creative Industries
- Healthcare and Allied Programs
- Engineering and Technology
- Financial Services
- Teacher Education
- Digital Technology
- Science and Mathematics
To be eligible, your chosen school must be a Delivering Higher Education Institution (DHEI) meaning it must offer a BPMSP priority program and be either a CHED-recognized Center of Excellence or Center of Development, hold Level III–IV program accreditation, or have a degree program approved by the CHED Commission En Banc.
For the complete and updated list of priority programs and eligible schools, go to: https://bpms.ched.gov.ph/priority-lists
Check this list before you apply. Applying for a program or school that isn’t on the DHEI list will result in disqualification.
What documents do you need?
Start preparing these now some require signatures from school offices that can take a few days:
Requirements (everyone):
- PSA-issued Birth Certificate
- Certified True Copy of Form 138 (SF9 / Learner’s Progress Report Card) – must carry the wet signature of your registrar
- Copy of university or college admission slip or proof of admission
- Parent or Legal Guardian Consent Form (Annex L), if applicable
Proof of financial need – submit any ONE of the following:
- BIR Certificate of Tax Exemption or Non-Filer Certificate
- Latest Annual ITR (BIR Form 1701) or Certificate of Compensation Payment/Tax Withheld (BIR Form 2316) of both parents or guardians
- DSWD or C/MSWD certificate for 4Ps beneficiaries
- Certified true copy of latest contract or proof of income (for children of OFWs or seafarers)
If you graduated Top 5 of your class:
- CTC of a certificate from your Senior High School confirming your Top 5 standing signed by the school head, registrar, or authorized representative
If you graduated under the old DepEd curriculum (on or before SY 2015–2016):
- CTC of your Fourth Year Report Card (Form 138) from your last high school
Additional documents for special equity groups:
- PWD ID from C/MSWD or PDAO certification
- Solo Parent ID from C/MSWD
- Senior Citizen ID
- Social Case Study Report from C/MSWD (for first-generation students)
- NCIP certification (for Indigenous Peoples)
Applicants from Geographically Isolated, Disadvantaged, and Conflict-Affected Areas (GIDCAs) may submit the physical Application Form (Annex A) through the nearest DepEd office instead of applying online.
Also Read: CHED Scholarship 2026: Requirements and Qualifications
How to apply for the scholarship
Step 1: Check the priority programs and schools list
Before anything else, confirm that your chosen course and school are on the BPMSP DHEI list at https://bpms.ched.gov.ph/priority-lists. This is non-negotiable.
Step 2: Prepare and scan your documents
Gather everything on the list above and scan clearly. Blurry or incomplete scans are among the most common reasons applications get flagged.
Step 3: Apply through the official portal
Go to https://bpms.ched.gov.ph and complete the online application form. Upload all required documents before submitting.
Step 4: Watch your email
After submitting, all updates including requests for additional documents or resubmission will be sent to the email address you provided. Check it regularly.
Note: If your documents are found to be incomplete, CHED may give you a one-time chance to resubmit them within a set period. However, submitting complete documents from the start is always the safer option.
Application Period
| Application | Dates |
|---|---|
| Application now open | May 1, 2026 |
| Application deadline | June 30, 2026 (or until slots are filled) |
The “or until slots are filled” part is real. Once all available slots are taken, the portal closes regardless of whether it’s June 30 yet. Apply as early as you can.
Quick answers to common questions
Yes. The BPMSP only disqualifies applicants who are recipients of nationally government-funded scholarships. LGU grants, private organization scholarships, and one-time local grants do not count against you.
Yes if you have not yet earned any tertiary units, meet the GWA and income requirements, and are enrolling in a priority program at an eligible DHEI.
Scholars must sign an undertaking to work or render service in the Philippines after completing their degree. Specific terms are outlined in the scholarship agreement you will sign if selected.
Only through the official portal: https://bpms.ched.gov.ph
The Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship isn’t for everyone and that’s the point. It was built for students who’ve already proven what they’re capable of academically, and now need the financial backing to match.
Source: Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
