- Several major scholarship programs for Filipino college students are opening or expected to open in 2026, from government-funded grants to private foundation scholarships.
- Programs covered include SM College Scholarship, Megaworld Foundation, CHED Merit Scholarship, Ayala Foundation U-Go, Aboitiz Future Leaders, and Iskolar ng LANDBANK.
- Application windows vary per program some open as early.
MANILA – Missing a scholarship deadline isn’t always about being unqualified. Most of the time, it’s about finding out too late.
College scholarships in the Philippines follow different application timelines some open in February, others in August, and a few close early once slots are filled. The students who land them are usually the ones who were watching months before the application window opened.
Here’s an overview of the major scholarship opportunities to prepare for in 2026, with what you need to qualify and when to expect the application period for each.
SM College Scholarship
Best for: Grade 12 graduates taking STEM, engineering, accountancy, or education courses
Application period: February 1 to February 28.
The SM Foundation College Scholarship is one of the most popular private scholarships in the country, offering full tuition at SM partner schools plus a monthly allowance and part-time job opportunities during school breaks.
To qualify, you must:
- Be a Grade 12 graduate from a public or private school (private school applicants need a DepEd voucher and must have finished Grade 10 in a public high school)
- Have a GWA of at least 92% for Grade 12 – 1st semester
- Come from a household with a total annual income not exceeding ₱250,000
- Be taking a priority course in science, technology, engineering, or accountancy at an SM partner school
The selection process goes beyond grades after document submission and an eligibility review, qualified applicants take an exam and are interviewed on the same day. Finalists undergo a home visit before their school and course are confirmed. The process is thorough, so prepare accordingly.
Check SM Foundation partner schools and the application portal at the official SM Foundation website.
Megaworld Foundation Scholarship
Best for: Incoming freshmen and current college students (2nd or 3rd year) taking any course at a Megaworld partner school
Expected application period: March or April (no official announcement yet as of writing)
Megaworld Foundation offers full tuition, monthly allowances via an ATM card, and career opportunities after graduation within Megaworld and its affiliate companies.
For incoming freshmen:
- Senior High School final report card with a general average of at least 85% and no subject grade lower than 80%
- Proof of passing a university entrance exam, letter of admission, or certificate of enrollment
- Certification of inclusion in the top 10% of the graduating class (if available)
For incoming sophomore or junior applicants:
- Grade reports from all previous semesters with a GPA of at least 85% and no subject below 80%
- Enrollment or registration form showing a full academic load
- Complete and most recent course curriculum
General requirements for all:
- ITR showing combined annual gross income of parents not exceeding ₱400,000 (or BIR Tax Exemption Certificate with Affidavit of Non-Filing)
- PSA Birth Certificate
- Endorsement letter from the college or university, if applicable
- Copies of utility bills (rent, electricity, water, telephone, internet)
- Two 2×2 photos, two 1×1 photos
- A photo with your family or guardian
Online applications require clear scanned copies originals are submitted at a later stage. Incomplete requirements will not be processed.
Watch the Megaworld Foundation official channels for the application announcement.
CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)
Best for: Incoming first-year college students with a 93% or higher GWA from SHS
Expected application period: Around May or June
The CHED Merit Scholarship is one of the most competitive government scholarships available, covering tuition and school fees, a book and connectivity allowance, and a living stipend.
To qualify:
- Filipino citizen
- Senior High School graduate with a GWA of at least 93% or its equivalent
- Combined annual income of parents or guardian not exceeding ₱500,000
- Must enroll in a CHED priority program
Additional ranking points are given to applicants from special equity groups, including underprivileged and homeless citizens (RA 7279), persons with disabilities (RA 7277), solo parents (RA 11861), senior citizens (RA 9994), indigenous peoples (RA 8371), and first-generation college students.
Meeting the minimum qualifications is just the first step all applicants are ranked, and slots go to the highest-scoring qualified applicants.
Learn how to apply for the CHED Scholarship for requirements, benefits, downloadable forms, and updates on when applications open.
Ayala Foundation U-Go Scholar Grant
Best for: Female students in public universities with financial need and a GWA of at least 85%
Application period: May 5 to June 6, 2026.
The U-Go Scholar Grant is run by Ayala Foundation in partnership with U-Go, a global nonprofit that has supported over 1,000 Filipina scholars. It provides approximately ₱40,000 per year and is renewable as long as scholars maintain their academic standing.
To qualify:
- Female Filipino citizen
- Incoming 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year college student for the next school year (incoming 4th year may apply only if taking a 5-year course)
- No existing scholarship
- GWA of at least 85%
- Demonstrated financial need
- No disciplinary or administrative cases
- Active in the community and aspires to create positive change
- Willing to pursue personal and professional development
Required documents:
- Current Certificate of Registration or Enrollment signed by the registrar
- Latest copy of grades
- Proof of financial need: parents’ or guardians’ most recent ITR, BIR tax exemption certificate, Certificate of Indigency, OFW or seafarer contract or proof of income, or latest electric bill
Learn how to apply for the Ayala Foundation Scholarship
Aboitiz Future Leaders Scholarship Program
Best for: Sophomore students at Aboitiz partner universities with a strong academic record and no failing grades
Expected application period: August
The Aboitiz Future Leaders Scholarship is merit-based and explicitly focused on cultivating student leaders. It covers full tuition and a monthly allowance, with mentorship and leadership development included.
Partner schools:
- Ateneo de Manila University
- University of the Philippines – Diliman, Cebu, and Mindanao
- De La Salle University
- Mapúa University Manila
- University of Santo Tomas
To qualify:
- Sophomore student at one of the partner universities listed above
- Enrolled in a degree program identified by the Foundation
- First-year college GWA of at least 88% or its equivalent
- No failing or incomplete grade in any subject
- No disciplinary record
Required documents:
- Student ID
- Certificate of Good Moral Character
- 1st year college grades or Transcript of Records
- Certificate of Enrollment or Registration
- Certificates of college leadership, awards, or seminars attended
Applications open through each school’s own scholarship application form not a central portal. When the application period opens, watch for the announcement from your school’s scholarship office or check the Aboitiz Foundation official channels.
Iskolar ng LANDBANK
Best for: Children or grandchildren of agrarian reform beneficiaries, small farmers, and fishers from marginalized provinces
Expected application period: August (no announcement yet as of writing)
The Iskolar ng LANDBANK program, established in 2023, specifically serves students from the bank’s mandated sectors farming and fishing communities in identified marginalized provinces. It covers tuition and allowance at state universities and colleges.
To qualify:
- Child or grandchild of an agrarian reform beneficiary, or of a small-scale farmer or fisher
- Recommended by a LANDBANK-affiliated agriculture-based cooperative, association, or organization in your province
- Graduating high school student with the minimum required average or in the top of your class
- Endorsed by your high school principal
- Not receiving any other scholarship or financial aid
- Qualified for admission at a state university or college in your province
- Total annual family income not exceeding ₱300,000 (exemptions considered case-by-case)
Eligible courses include:
- Agribusiness Management, Animal Science, Horticulture, Food Technology, Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial or Management Engineering, IT Engineering, Accounting, Information Technology, and Data Analytics or Science
No 2026 application announcement has been released yet. Watch LANDBANK’s official website and social media pages starting around mid-year.
When to expect each scholarship to open
| Scholarship | Expected Application Period |
|---|---|
| SM College Scholarship | February 1 to March 31 |
| Megaworld Foundation | Around March or April |
| CHED Merit Scholarship | Around May or June |
| Ayala Foundation U-Go | May 5 to June 6, 2026. |
| Aboitiz Future Leaders | Expected August |
| Iskolar ng LANDBANK | Expected August |
How to stay ahead
The students who land these scholarships aren’t necessarily smarter they’re more prepared. A few habits that help:
Start gathering documents now: ITRs, certificates of enrollment, report cards, and barangay certifications all take time to process. Having them ready before the application window opens removes the biggest source of last-minute stress.
Follow official pages, not unofficial groups: Scholarship announcements shared in Facebook groups are often outdated or inaccurate. Follow the official Foundation or agency page directly.
Apply to more than one: You can apply to multiple scholarships simultaneously just read each program’s rules on whether holding another scholarship disqualifies you. Many private foundation scholarships exclude only government-funded grants, not each other.
Don’t wait for the “right time.” Most of these scholarships close early once slots are filled, not when the stated deadline arrives. Early applications consistently get more thorough reviews.
Good luck!
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