CHED Merit Scholarship Program 2025 (CMSP): Full Guide for Incoming College Freshmen in PH

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Cordillera Administrative Region has officially opened the application for the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP) Academic Year 2025–2026. This scholarship offers financial assistance to incoming first-year college students who demonstrate academic excellence and belong to low-income households.

Applications are open until June 20, 2025. This guide outlines the eligibility criteria, required documents, financial benefits, and how to apply online.

Who Can Apply for CHED Merit Scholarship 2025?

To qualify for the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP), applicants must:

• Be a Filipino citizen
• Be an incoming first-year college student
• Be a Senior High School Graduate with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 93% or its equivalent
• Have a combined annual gross income of parents or legal guardian not exceeding ₱500,000
• Be enrolled or planning to enroll in CHED-recognized priority programs
  • At CHED-recognized HEIs, SUCs, LUCs, or private colleges/ universities with COPCs (Certificate of Program Compliance)

Note: Students must apply to the CHED Regional Office where they graduated from Senior High School.

CHED Merit Scholarship 2025 Requirements

Applicants must prepare scanned or physical copies of the following documents:

1. Photocopy of Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) or NSO
2. Certified true copy of Senior High School Report Card (Form 138), for incoming first-year students eligible for college
3. Proof of Income of Parents/Guardian – submit any one (1) of the following:
   • a. Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents or legal guardian if employed
   • b. Certificate of Tax Exemption / Non-Filer issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
   • c. Certified true copy of latest contract or proof of income for children of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and Seafarers
   • d. Social Case Study Report issued by the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWD)
4. Other Requirements, if applicable:
   • a. Certification / ID from C/MSWD for Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens, PWDs, Solo Parents, Senior Citizens, Social Case Study (for those covered under the Magna Carta for the Poor or first-generation college students)
   • b. Indigenous Peoples Certification issued by NCIP
5. Notarized Certificate of Guardianship, issued by the legal guardian of the student applicant, if applicable

CHED Scholarship Benefits 2025

The CHED Merit Scholarship covers tuition and other school fees (TOSF) and includes a stipend. Benefits vary based on the type of scholarship and the institution enrolled in:

CHED Priority Programs for 2025–2028

CHED Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 07, Series of 2023 lists the updated CHED Priority Courses for Academic Year 2023–2024 to 2027–2028. These programs are spread across various disciplines including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, health professions, social sciences, and interdisciplinary clusters. Below is the accurate and complete list based on the latest official CHED release:

SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

• Physics / Applied Physics
• Mathematics / Applied Math
• Statistics / Applied Statistics
• Biochemistry
• Biology
• Botany
• Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Geology
• Human Biology
• Marine Biology
• Marine Science
• Meteorology
• Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
• Volcano and Seismology Related Fields

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION

• Computer Science
• Entertainment and Multimedia Computing
• Information System
• Information Technology
• Game Development and Animation
• Cyber Security
• Library and Information Science

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

• Accountancy
• Business Analytics
• Hospitality Management
• Tourism / Tourism Management

TEACHER EDUCATION

• Secondary Education Major in Science
• Secondary Education Major in Mathematics
• Culture and Arts
• Early Childhood Education
• Special Needs Education
• Sports and Exercise Science

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

• Agricultural and Bio-systems Engineering
• Aircraft Maintenance Technology
• Ceramic Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Computer Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Food Engineering
• Geodetic Engineering
• Geological Engineering
• Industrial Engineering
• Manufacturing / Production Engineering
• Materials Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Mining Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Robotics Engineering
• Sanitary Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Aircraft Maintenance Technology
• Aviation-related Programs
• Engineering Technology
• Industrial Technology
• Mechatronics Engineering Technology

ARCHITECTURE

• Architecture
• Fine Arts
• Interior Design
• Landscape Architecture
• Environmental Planning

HEALTH PROFESSION

• Dental Medicine
• Doctor of Optometry
• Medical Laboratory Science
• Midwifery
• Nursing
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Occupational Therapy
• Pharmacy
• Physical Therapy
• Radiologic Technology
• Respiratory Therapy
• Speech Language Pathology
• Public Health

MULTI AND INTERDISCIPLINARY CLUSTER

• Agribusiness
• Agro-forestry
• Data Science and Analytics
• Disaster Risk Management / Climate Change
• Renewable / Sustainable Energy

SOCIAL SCIENCES

• Community Development
• Human Services (Guidance and Counseling)
• Indigenous Peoples Studies / Education
• Peace Studies / Education
• Psychology
• Social Work

MARITIME EDUCATION

• Marine Engineering
• Naval Architecture

REGIONAL PRIORITY COURSE (CAR)

• Entrepreneurship

CHED CMSP 2025 Online Application Portals by Region

Applicants must submit their CHED Merit Scholarship applications to the regional CHED portal corresponding to the region where they graduated from Senior High School. Below is a list of known regional application links:

• Applicants must submit their CHED Merit Scholarship applications to the regional CHED portal corresponding to the region where they graduated from Senior High School. Below is a list of working regional application links:

  • NCR: Google Form
  • CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region): cmsp.chedcar.com
  • Region I (Ilocos Region): stufaps.chedro1.com
  • Region II (Cagayan Valley): stufaps.chedregion2.com
  • Region III (Central Luzon): chedro3.com
  • Region IV-A (CALABARZON): Google Form
  • Region IV-B (MIMAROPA): mimaropa.ched.gov.ph
  • Region V (Bicol Region): dexus.chedro5.com
  • Region VI (Western Visayas): Google Form
  • Region VII (Central Visayas): Google Form
  • Region VIII (Eastern Visayas): chedro8stufap.com
  • Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula): Google Form
  • Region X (Northern Mindanao): Google Form
  • Region XI (Davao Region): stufaps.chedroxi.com
  • Region XVIII: Google Form
  • BARMM – Region 9: Google Form
  • BARMM – Region 10: Google Form
  • Caraga Region: https://chedcaraga.ph/ched-scholarship-program-csp/

Note: Some regional offices may announce or activate their own CMSP portals independently. If your region is not listed above, visit the official CHED website or Facebook page of your CHED Regional Office for updates.

How to Apply for the CHED Scholarship 2025 (CMSP)

1. Visit the CHED-CAR CMSP online portal: https://cmsp.chedcar.com
2. Create an account and fill out the application form
3. Upload all required documents
4. Submit your application before June 20, 2025

Apply now and get the support you need to complete your college journey!

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SOURCE: CHED Cordillera StuFAPS