The CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship, is a student financial assistance program administered through the UniFAST. It supports at least part of a qualified grantee’s tertiary education costs, including education-related expenses.
UniFAST issued Memorandum Circular No. 02, Series of 2026 to revise the implementation rules beginning in the first semester of Academic Year 2026-2027. The updated rules clarify who may qualify, the grant amount, the documents required, the application channels, the validation process, the grounds for disqualification, and the release of benefits.
This guide explains the official 2026 requirements and application process for new applicants and continuing grantees. It also identifies information from the old article that should be removed because it was local, outdated, or not supported by the revised national guidelines.
Table of Contents
About CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is a government agency under the Office of the President of the Philippines, established on May 18, 1994, through Republic Act No. 7722. CHED is responsible for developing policies, plans, and programs relating to higher education in the country.
Among the programs administered by CHED through the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education or UniFAST is the Tulong Dunong Program or TDP.
TDP is a subsidy under the Tertiary Education Subsidy Program established pursuant to Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. It aims to support at least the partial cost of tertiary education, including education-related expenses of qualified grantees.
Under the 2026 revised guidelines, TDP may cover qualified students enrolled in:
- State Universities and Colleges or SUCs;
- CHED-recognized Local Universities and Colleges or LUCs; and
- Private Higher Education Institutions or PHEIs.
The institution must have a duly executed Memorandum of Agreement with CHED-UniFAST. Its program offerings must also have the applicable Certificate of Program Compliance, Report on the Result of Preliminary Assessment, Institutional Recognition, or Government Recognition required under the guidelines.
The revised guidelines will take effect beginning in the first semester of Academic Year 2026–2027.
Eligibility:
An applicant for the CHED Tulong Dunong Program must meet the following qualifications:
- Must be a Filipino citizen.
- A new applicant must be enrolled in any first undergraduate degree program in a State University or College, CHED-recognized Local University or College, or Private Higher Education Institution included in the CHED Registry of Programs and Institutions.
- The student’s Higher Education Institution must have an existing Memorandum of Agreement with CHED-UniFAST.
- Based on the current official UniFAST TDP information page, the combined gross income of the applicant’s parents or guardians must not exceed PHP 400,000 per year.
- However, the PHP 400,000 income limit is not expressly restated in Memorandum Circular No. 02, Series of 2026. Applicants should therefore follow the income qualification indicated in the official application call issued by UniFAST, the concerned CHED Regional Office, partner implementer, or Higher Education Institution.
- The applicant or grantee must comply with the admission, enrollment, retention, and maximum residency policies of the Higher Education Institution.
- An applicant must comply with the prohibition against receiving multiple national government-funded financial assistance programs.
Free Higher Education in SUCs and CHED-recognized LUCs is allowed. A student who received one-time assistance, such as Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations or Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition, may still apply for TDP.
However, continuing grantees cannot receive both TDP and SMART benefits during the same semester.
New applicants must be enrolled in their first undergraduate degree. Continuing grantees must have previously received TDP benefits, have a corresponding TDP Award Number, and be enrolled during the current semester.
A grantee may become ineligible or lose continuing status due to any of the following:
- Failure to comply with the admission and retention policies of the institution;
- Failure to enroll for one academic term without an approved Leave of Absence;
- Failure to enroll for at least two academic terms within an academic year;
- Failure to inform the concerned CHED Regional Office after dropping out, deferring the grant, transferring to another institution, or shifting to another program;
- Suspension for one academic term or longer;
- Expulsion from the institution;
- Failure to complete the undergraduate degree within one year after the period allowed under the institution’s Maximum Residency Rule;
- Submission of fraudulent or spurious documents; or
- Receiving prohibited multiple national government-funded financial assistance benefits.
If you’re not eligible for the CHED for Future Statisticians (Estatistikolar), don’t worry. You can explore other government scholarships and other CHED scholarships here that might interest you.
Programs and Grant Benefits:
Qualified new and continuing Tulong Dunong Scholarship grantees may receive:
PHP 7,500 per semester
or
PHP 15,000 per academic year
The UniFAST Board may approve an increase in the grant amount.
New TDP grantees for the first semester of Academic Year 2026–2027 will initially receive assistance for the first semester only.
They may become continuing grantees if funding is provided in the following fiscal year and succeeding years until they complete their degree.
The release of the grant is subject to qualification, validation, government funding, and inclusion in the final list of approved grantees.
Application Process:
Understanding how to apply for the program is essential for everyone. Let’s break down the process step by step.
Application Deadlines:
The 2026 revised guidelines do not provide one nationwide application deadline for Academic Year 2026–2027.
Application schedules may depend on the announcement issued by the:
- UniFAST Secretariat;
- Concerned CHED Regional Office;
- Partner implementer; or
- Participating school.
Applicants should regularly check announcements from their school and CHED Regional Office.
Requirements:
The following are the documentary requirements under the 2026 revised guidelines.
For New Applicants
Qualified new applicants must submit:
- Scanned Tulong Dunong Program Application Form;
- Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrollment in PDF format; and
- Certificate of Indigency issued by the Punong Barangay where the applicant lives.
If the applicant cannot obtain a Certificate of Indigency, either of the following may be submitted:
- Certificate of Tax Exemption; or
- Social Case Study issued by a registered social worker.
For Continuing Grantees
The school must submit the following to the concerned CHED Regional Office:
- Annex 2, Forms 1, 2, and 3;
- Notarized Registrar’s Certificate; and
- Enrollment List certified by the school registrar or attested by the school head.
The Enrollment List must be submitted in PDF and Excel formats.
A Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrollment may be used as an alternative.
If a grantee is not included in the Enrollment List, the school must submit the grantee’s Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrollment.
For Returning Grantees
A grantee returning after taking a Leave of Absence for one academic term must submit:
- Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrollment in PDF format; and
- Approved Leave of Absence in PDF format.
For Transferee Grantees
A transferee grantee must submit:
- Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrollment from the previous semester; and
- Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrollment for the current semester.
Direct Submission to CHEDRO
If the school fails to submit a continuing grantee’s documents, the grantee may directly submit:
- Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrollment in PDF format;
- School ID with a specimen signature or any government-issued ID with a specimen signature; and
- Approved Leave of Absence, when applicable.
Income Requirements
The official UniFAST program page states that the combined annual gross income of the applicant’s parents or guardians must not exceed PHP 400,000.
For documentary validation, the primary income document required under the revised guidelines is a Certificate of Indigency issued by the Punong Barangay.
A Certificate of Tax Exemption or Social Case Study may only be used when a Certificate of Indigency cannot be obtained.
Applicants should still check the official application announcement because the school, partner implementer, or CHED Regional Office may provide additional submission instructions.
How to Apply:
Step 1: Enrollment Confirmation
- Applicants must first complete their enrollment for the applicable semester.
- New applicants must already be enrolled before they can be included in the submission of TDP applications.
- Secure a Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrollment in PDF format.
Step 2: Contact the TDP or UniFAST Focal Person
Contact the TDP or UniFAST focal person at your school.
Ask whether:
- The school participates in the Tulong Dunong Program;
- An application call has already been issued;
- The school is currently accepting applications; and
- The documents must be submitted to the school, a partner implementer, or the CHED Regional Office.
Step 3: Prepare the Requirements
- Complete the TDP Application Form and prepare the required documents.
- Use only the application form provided by an official TDP application announcement, participating school, partner implementer, or CHED Regional Office.
- Make sure that all information is correct and that the files follow the required format.
Step 4: Submit the Documents
- Submit the requirements through the official channel announced by the school, partner implementer, or CHED Regional Office.
- If the school fails to submit the documents, the applicant may directly submit them to the concerned CHED Regional Office.
Step 5: Application Upload
- Applicants do not personally upload their application to the Regional Coordinator Portal.
- The CHED Regional Office will upload the submitted applications to the portal.
Step 6: Eligibility Checking
- CHEDRO and the UniFAST Secretariat will check the applicant’s qualifications and compare the information with other government financial assistance databases.
Step 7: Wait for the Results
- After the list of qualified applicants is finalized, the CHED Regional Office will release the results to participating schools.
2025 CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship – Albay: List of Schools
CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship – Albay: List of Schools
For Albay, students aiming for further education have the chance to apply for the CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship. This list features schools participating in the program. Let’s explore the educational opportunities available in Albay through these institutions.
- Bicol College
- Ago Medical And Educational Center
- De Vera Institute Of Technology
- University Of Sto. Tomas – Legazpi
- Bicol University
- Computer Arts And Technological College
- Divine Word College Of Legazpi, Inc.
- Immaculate Conception College – Albay
- Ligao Community College
- Mariners Polytechnic Colleges Foundation Of Legazpi City
- Mater Salutis College Seminary
- Polangui Community College
- Polytechnic Institute Of Tabaco
- Republic Colleges Of Guinobatan
- Perpetual Help Paramedical School, Inc.
- San Jose Community College
- Tabaco College
- Tanchuling College
- STI College – Legazpi
- Tiwi Community College
- Zamora Memorial College
- Colegio De Sta. Monica Of Polangui
- Computer Communication Development Institute – Legazpi City
- AMA Computer College – Legazpi City
- PLT College Of Guinobatan
- OAS Community College
- Libon Community College
- West Coast College
- Southern Luzon Technological College Foundation – Legazpi
- Daraga Community College
- Amando Cope College
- Forbes College
- Belen B. Francisco Foundation
- Infotech Development Systems Colleges
- Our Lady Of Salvation College
Final Thoughts:
The CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship Program plays a crucial role in supporting students across the Philippines. It offers financial assistance and educational support to help them achieve their academic dreams.
With a wide variety of priority courses available, the program ensures that quality education is accessible to all. Through this initiative, CHED empowers students to unlock their potential and make meaningful contributions to the country.
Aspiring scholars, seize the opportunity provided by the CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship Program. Take the first step towards your educational journey by understanding the program’s requirements and application process. Your future awaits.
References:
- Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education. Memorandum Circular No. 02, Series of 2026: 2026 Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of the Tulong Dunong Program. https://unifast.gov.ph/assets/pdf/guidelines/revised-tdp-pr.pdf
- Philippine Go. (n.d.). What is CHED? Retrieved from [https://philippinego.com/gov/what-is-ched/#what-is-ched](https://philippinego.com/gov/what-is-ched/#what-is-ched)
- Philippine Go. (n.d.). CHED UniFAST Scholarships. Retrieved from [https://philippinego.com/51383/#ched-uni-fast-scholarships](https://philippinego.com/51383/#ched-uni-fast-scholarships)
- CHED Scholarship. (n.d.). CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship. Retrieved from [https://chedscholarship.com/ched-tulong-dunong-scholarship/#how-to-apply-for-ched-tulong-dunong-program-grants](https://chedscholarship.com/ched-tulong-dunong-scholarship/#how-to-apply-for-ched-tulong-dunong-program-grants)
- Careers Filipino. (n.d.). CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship. Retrieved from [https://careersfilipino.com/ched-tulong-dunong-scholarship/#documentary-requirements](https://careersfilipino.com/ched-tulong-dunong-scholarship/#documentary-requirements)
- Facebook. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Retrieved from [https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122119141958138542&set=pcb.122119142168138542](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122119141958138542&set=pcb.122119142168138542)
- Facebook. (n.d.). [Photograph]. Retrieved from [https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=7764162530273108&set=pcb.7764184406937587](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=7764162530273108&set=pcb.7764184406937587)
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