Over 20,000 Senior High School (SHS) graduates are set to benefit from the Bagong Pilipinas Scholarship Program, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced Monday.
Formally launched as the Presidential Merit Scholarship, the initiative is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push to expand access to higher education. It will complement existing efforts such as free tuition in state universities and colleges, the Tulong Dunong program, and the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES).
In her speech at the Higher Education Summit at the Manila Hotel, CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis said the program will help eligible SHS graduates pursue their chosen degrees while creating opportunities for national service.
“Bagong Pilipinas scholars must be enrolled in priority programs that will address hard-to-fill occupations in the country through return service. Bagong Pilipinas scholars are para sa Serbisyo ng Bayan,” Agrupis said.
Eligible applicants include Filipino SHS graduates who ranked among the Top 5 of their batch and come from low- to middle-income households.
The scholarship prioritizes fields such as health sciences, digital technology, agriculture, fisheries, and education, though students may also apply to private institutions provided they qualify for their chosen degree.
About ₱600 million has been allocated under the 2026 National Expenditure Program to fund the first batch of 20,000 scholars.
CHED will also coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to ensure fair and transparent implementation.