GWA Requirements for Scholarship Programs in the Philippines (2026 Complete Guide)
Most guides about Philippine scholarships list the benefits and application steps. But the answer for two real questions is usually missed.
“Is my GWA good enough, and will I keep my scholarship once I have it?”
This guide answers both. It covers the exact GWA required to qualify for every major scholarship in the Philippines, the maintenance GWA you need to keep each one, and what actually happens when your GWA falls short.
Before checking any scholarship requirement, first calculate your current GWA so you know exactly where you stand.
Two GWA Numbers Every Scholar Must Know
Before the scholarship list, understand this distinction because most students only focus on one of these numbers and get blindsided by the other.
1. Entry GWA (To Qualify)
This is the minimum GWA you need in your high school Grade 12 report card to submit a valid application. If you are a continuing college student applying for a mid-year scholarship, this is your current college GWA.
If you are unsure of your current college GWA, use our free GWA Calculator to compute it before applying.
2. Maintenance GWA (To Keep It)
This is the minimum GWA you must maintain every semester once you are already a scholar. This is the number that can end your scholarship, and it is often different from, and sometimes more difficult than, the entry requirement.
Many students qualify easily then lose their scholarship in second or third year because they did not know or track their maintenance GWA carefully enough.
Government Scholarship Programs
1. CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Merit Scholarship Program is one of the most widely applied-for government scholarships in the Philippines. It is administered by CHED through its Regional Offices and is open to incoming first-year college students enrolling in CHED priority courses at recognized Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Entry GWA requirement: Applicants must have achieved a minimum General Weighted Average (GWA) of 93% or its equivalent in their Grade 12 report card.
Income requirement: Combined annual gross family income of ₱500,000 or below, or the applicant can justify financial need if above this amount.
Benefits: Covers tuition and other school fees (TOSF), a living stipend released directly to the scholar or through the HEI, and a book and connectivity allowance per semester until completion of the degree program.
Maintenance GWA: CHED scholars typically must maintain a minimum GWA each term, submit grade reports, and remain in approved programs. The specific maintenance GWA is set per CHED Memorandum Order check with your CHED Regional Office for the current semester requirement as these are updated periodically.
Important restriction: You can only benefit from one government-funded scholarship or financial assistance program at a time.Official website: ched.gov.ph
2. Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP)
The Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program is a newer CHED-administered scholarship launched as part of the national budget, targeting top-performing Senior High School graduates from low- to middle-income families.
Entry GWA requirement: Applicants must have graduated from Grade 12, belonging to the Top 5 of the graduating class, or achieved a minimum GWA of 95% or its equivalent.
Income requirement: Parents or guardians must have a combined annual income of not more than PHP 2,000,000.
Return service requirement: The scholarship includes a return service agreement. Scholars may be required to work in the Philippines after graduation. The purpose is to ensure that graduates use their skills to help the country, especially in jobs that are hard to fill.
Official website: bpms.ched.gov.ph
3. DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship (Undergraduate)
The Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) scholarship is the gold standard for Filipino students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degrees. It is among the most generous and most competitive government scholarships available.
Entry GWA requirement: Applicants must be in the top 5% of their graduating class (STEM strand students prioritized), with strong academic performance in Science, Mathematics, and English typically 85% or higher in these subjects from Grade 9 to Grade 11. Applicants must take and pass the DOST qualifying exam administered nationwide.
Income requirement: Parents’ combined annual income must not exceed ₱360,000 (subject to verification).
Maintenance GWA: First Year: An annual weighted average of 2.75 or better if enrolled in the UP System; 2.5 or 85% or better if enrolled in another college or university; and no failing grade in any academic subject for all semesters. Second Year onwards: A semestral weighted average of 2.75 or better if enrolled in the UP System; 2.5 or 85% or better if enrolled in another college or university; and no failing grade in any academic subject.
Benefits: The DOST-SEI scholarship provides a tuition fee grant of up to ₱40,000 a year and a monthly stipend of ₱8,000.
Return service requirement: DOST-SEI scholars must serve in the Philippines for a period equivalent to the number of years of scholarship one year of service for every year of scholarship enjoyed.
Official website: sei.dost.gov.ph
4. DOST Junior Level Science Scholarship (JLSS)
The DOST JLSS is a separate DOST-SEI scholarship specifically for current college students (not incoming freshmen) who are already in their second year and pursuing a DOST-priority S&T course.
Entry GWA requirement: You must have a GWA of at least 83% and no failing or conditional grades.
Eligibility: Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen and a regular second-year college student enrolled in a DOST-SEI priority course at a UP campus, SUC, or CHED-recognized COE/COD institution.
Benefits: Scholars receive a monthly living allowance of PHP 8,000, a PHP 10,000 annual book allowance, up to PHP 40,000 per year for tuition if enrolled in a private school, and a one-time thesis allowance of PHP 10,000.
How competitive is it: For the most recent 2025 cycle, only 958 students qualified out of 14,609 applicants a passing rate of approximately 6.5%.
Official website: sei.dost.gov.ph
5. Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) UniFAST
The Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) under the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) is a need-based program, not merit-based. Unlike CHED and DOST scholarships, TES does not have a GWA entry requirement.
GWA requirement: None for initial qualification financial need is the primary criterion.
TES prioritizes students who are most financially disadvantaged. Priority categories include Listahanan students (listed in the latest Listahanan database), 4Ps beneficiaries (students in the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program), and other students from low-income households in PHEIs without access to SUCs or LUCs.
Maintenance GWA: Renewal typically requires maintenance of a minimum GWA of 80–85% and no failing grades.Who this is for: Students who cannot meet the 93% GWA cutoff of CHED-CMSP but have significant financial need. TES is the most accessible government scholarship for academically average but economically disadvantaged students.
Private and Corporate Scholarship Programs
1. SM Foundation College Scholarship
The SM Foundation, established in 1983 by Henry Sy Sr. and Felicidad T. Sy, is one of the most well-known corporate scholarship programs in the Philippines. It is open to graduates of public high schools and private high schools with a DepEd voucher.
Entry GWA requirement: Must have a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 92% or its equivalent during Grade 12 – 1st semester.
Income requirement: Must belong to a household with a total annual income of PHP 250,000 or below.
Benefits: Full tuition and miscellaneous fees, a monthly stipend, and part-time job opportunities during semestral and Christmas breaks. Graduates are given exclusive job offers within the SM Group (BDO, SMIC, etc.), and there is no mandatory return service.
Priority courses: Engineering, Education, Information Technology, Computer Science, Accountancy, and HRM.
Critical tip: After submitting your online form, you must log back into the portal within seven days to click the ‘Confirm’ button. Many applicants miss this step and are automatically disqualified, even if their documents are complete.
Official portal: scholarship.sm-foundation.org
2. Ayala Foundation Scholarship (U-GO Scholar Grant)
The Ayala Foundation scholarship is managed by Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI), the social development arm of the Ayala Group — one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates encompassing Globe Telecom, BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands), Ayala Land, and other major corporations.
The program’s flagship grant for 2026 is the U-GO Scholar Grant, a partnership with the international NGO U-Go specifically supporting female students from public universities.
Entry GWA requirement: A general average of at least 85% from the previous semester.
Eligibility: Female Filipino students entering their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year in college. 4th year students enrolled in a 5-year course may also apply. Only students enrolled in public or state universities and colleges are eligible.
Income requirement: Total annual family income must usually be below ₱400,000.
Maintenance GWA: Scholars must maintain a GWA of 85% or higher with no failing grades.
Benefits: A financial grant of PHP 40,000 per year for tuition, books, transportation, and other school-related expenses. Scholars also gain access to the Ayala Young Leaders Congress (AYLC) and are prioritized for internships within the Ayala Group.
3. Megaworld Foundation Scholarship
The Megaworld Foundation Inc., the philanthropic arm of Megaworld Corporation, offers full tuition, allowances, and career opportunities upon graduation.
Entry GWA requirement (incoming freshmen): Senior high school final report card with a general average of at least 85% (or equivalent) and no subject grade lower than 80%, plus proof of passing a university entrance examination.
Entry GWA requirement (continuing students 2nd and 3rd year): Official grade reports from all previous semesters with a GPA of at least 85% (or equivalent) and no subject grade below 80%.
4. Aboitiz Foundation Scholarship
The Aboitiz Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group (which includes Aboitiz Power, UnionBank, and Republic Cement), runs its scholarship program through partner universities.
Entry GWA requirement: GWA of 88% or higher in the second or third grading period of Grade 12. Must not have any failing or incomplete grades in any subject.
The program is campus-based you must first check whether your university is a partner institution, then apply through your school’s scholarship office.
5. Iskolar ng LANDBANK (Land Bank of the Philippines)
The Iskolar ng LANDBANK program was established in 2023, specifically for children and grandchildren of farmers and fishermen in the country’s 60 poorest provinces a scholarship that addresses a sector of Filipino students that most corporate programs overlook.
GWA requirement: Must be a top-performing graduating high school student endorsed by your principal.
Income requirement: Total annual family income not exceeding PHP 300,000, with possible exemptions evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Eligibility note: Must be a child or grandchild of an agrarian reform beneficiary or small farmer/fisher, and recommended by a LANDBANK-affiliated agriculture-based cooperative or association.
Quick Reference: GWA Requirements at a Glance
| Scholarship | Type | Entry GWA | Maintenance GWA | Income Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHED Merit (CMSP) | Government | 93% | Per CMO (check CHED RO) | ₱500,000/year |
| Bagong Pilipinas (BPMSP) | Government | 95% or Top 5 | TBA by CHED | ₱2,000,000/year |
| DOST-SEI Merit | Government | Top 5% + qualifying exam | 85% (non-UP) / 2.75 (UP) | ₱360,000/year |
| DOST JLSS | Government | 83% (college GWA) | 83% | None specified |
| TES (UniFAST) | Government | None | 80–85% | Listahanan/4Ps priority |
| SM Foundation | Corporate | 92% | Not publicly specified | ₱250,000/year |
| Ayala Foundation (U-GO) | Corporate/NGO | 85% | 85% | ₱400,000/year |
| Megaworld Foundation | Corporate | 85% (no grade below 80%) | 85% | Not specified |
| Aboitiz Foundation | Corporate | 88% | Per university policy | Not specified |
| Iskolar ng LANDBANK | Government bank | Top performer (principal endorsement) | Not specified | ₱300,000/year |
Compare your GWA against this table, use our online GWA Calculator if you need to compute your current average and use or GWA to Percentage converter to get your actual percentage against obtained GWA.
What Happens When Your GWA Drops Below the Maintenance Requirement?
This is the part most scholarship guides skip entirely but it is the most important thing a current scholar needs to understand.
Probation First, Termination Second
Most scholarship programs do not immediately terminate a scholar whose GWA drops. The typical process is:
- Warning notice your HEI’s scholarship coordinator or the awarding agency notifies you that your GWA has fallen below the required level.
- Probationary period you are given one semester (sometimes two) to bring your GWA back up to the required level.
- Termination if your GWA does not recover within the probationary period, the scholarship is cancelled.
The Refund Risk Is Real
All scholars sign a scholarship contract imposing binding obligations. Scholars must refund all benefits received plus 12% interest per annum in case of willful violation, dropping out without cause, or failure to render return service.
This means that if you lose a DOST or CHED scholarship due to academic failure without valid cause, you may be legally required to return every peso of tuition and stipend you received with interest.
What Counts as a Valid Excuse
Exceptions to return service and refund obligations are granted only upon proof of grave illness, death, or migration for permanent residence abroad with prior approval. A difficult semester, heavy workload, or personal challenges generally do not constitute an automatic exemption though you can file an appeal explaining your circumstances.
Track your GWA every semester using our GWA Calculator, so you never get blindsided by a maintenance cutoff.
What to Do If You Are At Risk
If you see your GWA trending toward the maintenance cutoff mid-semester, act before the semester ends:
- Talk to your HEI’s scholarship coordinator immediately do not wait for the failing notice.
- File for a leave of absence if the situation is severe and you believe a semester off is better than a failed one.
- For CHED scholars, contact your CHED Regional Office to explain your situation and ask about the appeals process.
- For DOST scholars, you can write a letter of appeal to DOST-SEI, and they will evaluate your case to decide if you can continue the program.
GWA Requirement by Academic Standing: Where Do You Fall?
Not sure which tier you fall into? Calculate your GWA now and then match your result to the categories below.
Use this as a quick self-check. Based on your current or projected GWA, here is what you realistically qualify for:
GWA of 95% and above (top-tier students) You are eligible for the most competitive scholarships Bagong Pilipinas (BPMSP), DOST-SEI Merit (if you pass the qualifying exam), and all lower-tier programs. Your primary bottleneck is likely income ceiling, not grades.
GWA of 92–94% CHED Merit Scholarship (CMSP) is your strongest government option. SM Foundation scholarship is within reach. DOST requires the qualifying exam on top of your GWA.
GWA of 88–91% CHED CMSP is out of reach. Focus on Aboitiz Foundation, Megaworld Foundation, and university-based scholarships. DOST-JLSS is possible if you are already in college.
GWA of 85–87% Ayala Foundation (U-GO) if you are female and in a public university. Megaworld Foundation at 85% cutoff. Many university-based institutional scholarships fall in this range.
GWA of 83–84% DOST-JLSS is still an option for current college students. TES if you qualify on financial need. University-level scholarships at less selective schools.
GWA below 83% TES is your primary government option — it requires no minimum GWA. Look also at local government unit (LGU) scholarships from your city or municipality, which typically have lower or no GWA requirements.\
