CHED AHEAD Grant 2026

CHED AHEAD Grant for Allied Health Students 2026

Clinical training can be expensive, especially when students need to pay for transport, lodging, uniforms, training fees, and other Related Learning Experience costs.

The AHEAD Grant is designed to help allied health students complete their clinical training without carrying those expenses alone.

Through this program, qualified grantees may receive a one-time ₱25,000 financial assistance released directly to their LANDBANK account.

What is the AHEAD Grant?

The AHEAD Grant, or Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students Grant, is a one-time financial assistance program for qualified allied health students.

It provides ₱25,000 per grantee to help cover expenses related to Related Learning Experience, such as internships, hospital rotations, and community practicums.

The grant is issued under CHED for FY 2026 GAA and is intended to support students completing clinical training requirements.

Qualifications

To qualify for the AHEAD Grant, applicants must meet all four conditions below:

  • Must be a Filipino citizen
  • Must be enrolled in a CHED-recognized bachelor’s program
  • Must be currently taking Related Learning Experience courses
  • Must have a family income of not more than ₱1,200,000 per year

Covered Programs

The AHEAD Grant covers 14 allied health programs across different clinical, laboratory, rehabilitation, and community health tracks.

The covered programs include:

  • Second to Fourth Year
    1. Nursing
    2. Medical Technology / Medical Laboratory Science
    3. Midwifery
    4. Nutrition and Dietetics
    5. Occupational Therapy
    6. Public Health
    7. Physical Therapy
    8. Respiratory Therapy
    9. Radiologic Technology
    10. Pharmacy
    11. Speech-Language Pathology
  • Second to Sixth Year
    1. Dental Medicine
    2. Optometry
    3. Veterinary Medicine

Ranking and Prioritization

Applicants are ranked first by year level, then by income.

This means priority is given to students who are closer to graduation. Within each year-level tier, applicants with lower family income receive higher rankings.

For four-year programs, the ranking priority is:

  1. Incoming 4th year
  2. Incoming 3rd year
  3. Incoming 2nd year

For longer programs such as DMD, DO, and DVM, the ranking priority is:

  1. Incoming 6th year
  2. Incoming 5th year
  3. Incoming 4th year

Special Equity Groups may also receive additional ranking points. These groups may include Persons with Disabilities, Solo Parents, Senior Citizens, and Indigenous Peoples.

How to Apply

The AHEAD Grant follows a four-step process from application to disbursement.

Step 1: Apply Online

Applicants need to open an account, upload proof of income, and submit their application online. Drafts may be autosaved, allowing applicants to complete the form in one sitting.

Step 2: Wait for HEI Verification

The Higher Education Institution, or HEI, verifies the applicant’s enrollment status and confirms that the student is taking RLE courses for the current term.

Step 3: Undergo CHEDRO Evaluation

The CHED Regional Office evaluates submitted applications and publishes the ranked list of grantees.

Step 4: Receive the Disbursement

Approved grantees receive the ₱25,000 grant directly through their LANDBANK account. New account holders may receive a letter of introduction as part of the process.

AHEAD Grant Benefits

The AHEAD Grant provides a one-time financial assistance of ₱25,000.00 per qualified grantee.

This amount helps cover real training-related expenses that may fall outside regular tuition costs, especially during Related Learning Experience or RLE.

These may include:

  • Transport to placement areas
  • Lodging near the training site
  • Uniforms and PPE
  • Training fees and laboratory dues
  • Supplies and consumables

The grant aims to reduce the out-of-pocket cost of one semester of RLE by providing financial support directly to the approved grantee.

Application Status

Applications for the AHEAD Grant are temporarily on hold while the Higher Education Institution (HEI) Orientation is being completed.

If you are interested in applying, please wait for the official advisory on when the application process will resume.

While waiting, you can review the qualifications, covered programs, and ranking rules so you can prepare early once applications reopen.

Final Thoughts

The AHEAD Grant can be a big help for allied health students who need support during their clinical training semester.

Since RLE expenses can add up quickly, the ₱25,000 one-time assistance may help reduce the financial burden on students and their families.

If you are eligible, monitor official updates and prepare your documents early once applications reopen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


1. How much is the AHEAD Grant?

The AHEAD Grant provides a one-time fixed financial assistance of twenty-five thousand pesos (₱25,000.00). This amount is intended to help cover eligible expenses related to completing your Related Learning Experience requirements, such as transport, lodging, uniforms, training fees, and other related costs.

2. What counts as proof of income?

Depending on your situation, proof of income may include an Income Tax Return (ITR) or a Certificate of Tax Exemption from the BIR for your parents or guardians. Special cases, such as solo parents, OFWs, or deceased parents, may require additional documents like death certificates or sworn affidavits.

3. How are applicants ranked?

Applicants are ranked first by year-level tier, then by combined annual gross family income. This means students closer to graduation are prioritized, and those with lower family income earn higher points. Applicants who belong to Special Equity Groups may also receive additional points on top of their ranking.

4. Can I apply if I already have another scholarship?

Yes. Beneficiaries of other nationally funded grants, such as the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) or Tulong Dunong, may still receive the AHEAD Grant. However, they must independently meet all AHEAD Grant qualifications and requirements to be considered eligible.

5. How will I receive the grant?

The grant will be released directly to the approved grantee through a LANDBANK account. If you do not have a LANDBANK account yet, you will receive a Letter of Introduction that you can use to open one for the disbursement.


Reference

  1. Commission on Higher Education AHEAD. (2026). CHED AHEAD Grant Portal. https://ahead.ched.gov.ph/
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