The PCAFPD Undergraduate Scholarship aims to support Filipino students in their educational pursuits and community development efforts.
Funded primarily by former Peace Corps Volunteers, this program provides financial assistance to help students achieve their academic and career goals.
Learn how to apply through this guide.
Table of Contents
About PCAFPD Undergraduate Scholarship:
Founded in 1983 by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and staff, the Foundation was established to help former volunteers and staff stay connected with the Philippines and each other through meaningful initiatives. Learn more about the Foundation’s mission and history here.
The PCAFPD (Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development.) Scholarship Program provides Filipinos with opportunities to advance their education and contribute to national development.
Funded primarily by former Peace Corps Volunteers, this program supports individuals committed to enhancing the quality of life in the Philippines.
This scholarship is for Filipino citizens who are current Grade 12 students, high school graduates not currently enrolled, or college students needing several years of funding.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for the PCAFPD undergraduate scholarship, applicants must:
- Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines.
- Educational Status:
- Current Grade 12 Senior High School students.
- High school graduates who are not currently enrolled in any educational program.
- College students who need financial support for several years of study.
- For Grade 12 students and SHS graduates, you must be admitted to your chosen course by May 31st of the enrollment year.
- Academic and Experience Requirements:
- Maintain a strong academic record.
- Demonstrate leadership abilities.
- Show evidence of community service involvement.
- Financial Need: Must demonstrate financial need. Priority is given to applicants from low-income households.
- Commitment: Show a commitment to serving your community and country after graduation. This scholarship is not intended for those planning to work abroad.
- Field of Study: Apply for fields of study that have a high potential to contribute to the development of the Philippines.
Benefits:
Successful applicants for the PCAFPD Undergraduate Scholarship will receive the following benefits:
- Full Tuition & School Fees: Coverage for all tuition and related school fees.
- Books & Educational Supplies Allowance: Financial support for purchasing books and educational supplies.
- Living Allowance per Semester: A stipend for living expenses each semester. Graduate students must show a need for this support to be considered.
- Education-Related Reimbursements: Reimbursement for other education-related activities, subject to prior approval.
- Laptop Computer: Undergraduate students will receive a laptop computer provided by the Foundation.
- Thesis Support: Graduate students may receive up to PhP 10,000 to support their thesis. To access this funding, they must submit a proposal to the Vice President of Philippines Operations.
Courses Not Supported
The following courses are not eligible for the undergraduate scholarship:
- Medical-related courses such as nursing, medical technology, and graduate study in medicine
- Dentistry
- Veterinary medicine
- Law
List of Provinces
This is the selection list of provinces for the PCAFPD Undergraduate Scholarship Program.
- Abra
- Agusan del Norte
- Agusan del Sur
- Aklan
- Albay
- Antique
- Apayao
- Aurora
- Basilan
- Bataan
- Batanes
- Batangas
- Benguet
- Biliran
- Bohol
- Bukidnon
- Bulacan
- Cagayan
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Camiguin
- Capiz
- Catanduanes
- Cavite
- Cebu
- Cotabato
- Davao de Oro
- Davao del Norte
- Davao del Sur
- Davao Occidental
- Davao Oriental
- Dinagat Islands
- Eastern Samar
- Guimaras
- Ifugao
- Ilocos Norte
- Ilocos Sur
- Iloilo
- Isabela
- Kalinga
- La Union
- Laguna
- Lanao del Norte
- Lanao del Sur
- Leyte
- Maguindanao del Norte
- Maguindanao del Sur
- Marinduque
- Masbate
- Metro Manila
- Misamis Occidental
- Misamis Oriental
- Mountain Province
- Negros Occidental
- Negros Oriental
- Northern Samar
- Nueva Ecija
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Occidental Mindoro
- Oriental Mindoro
- Palawan
- Pampanga
- Pangasinan
- Quezon
- Quirino
- Rizal
- Romblon
- Samar
- Sarangani
- Siquijor
- Sorsogon
- South Cotabato
- Southern Leyte
- Sultan Kudarat
- Sulu
- Surigao del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- Tarlac
- Tawi-Tawi
- Zambales
- Zamboanga del Norte
- Zamboanga del Sur
- Zamboanga Sibugay
Application Deadline:
The deadline to apply for the PCAFPD Undergraduate Scholarship Program. is October 31 for the first semester of the next school year.
Application Process for the PCAFPD Scholarship Program
The application process for the PCAFPD Scholarship Program outlines the steps you need to follow to complete your application successfully.
Requirements:
To submit a complete application for the PCAFPD Undergraduate Scholarship Program., you will need the following documents. It is recommended to gather everything before starting the application form:
Grades
Submit your latest report card, which must include a cumulative GPA. The type of report card required depends on your current academic status:
- Grade 12 Students: Submit your Grade 11 report card.
- Senior High School Graduates (not enrolled in college) and 1st or 2nd Year College Students: Submit your Senior High School transcript of records or Grade 12 report card.
- 2nd-Year College Students and Above: Submit your latest college grades.
Essays
All applicants must submit three essays, which are crucial in the selection process. Each essay should be no more than 400 words and written in English.
It is recommended to prepare your essays offline and then copy them into the application.
Required Topics:
- Topic 1: Explain the course you want to study and how your education will help you contribute to your country’s development.
- Topic 2: Describe any personal hardships or barriers you have overcome or an event in your life that demonstrates or shaped your character.
- Topic 3: Share an experience where you volunteered as a leader or participant in an extracurricular activity supporting your community. Discuss what this experience taught you about leadership and community service.
Note: For Grade 12 students and SHS graduates not enrolled in college, you only need to address Topics 1-3.
Short Answers
If you are currently in college or have another scholarship, provide the following short answers:
- Short Answer #1: For college students only. Describe how you have supported your college education so far and why you need additional support at this time. Limit your response to 200 words.
- Short Answer #2: For those with another scholarship. Explain why you need the PCAFPD scholarship in addition to your current scholarship. Limit your response to 200 words.
Income Certification
- Submit the latest Bureau of Internal Revenue Income Tax Return (ITR) of your parents/guardians or your own if you are already working.
- If an ITR is not available, provide a Certificate of Indigence from your Barangay or an Affidavit of Non-filing of Income Tax Return.
Recommendation Forms
- Submit two (2) recommendation forms detailing your community service, leadership potential, and overall suitability for the scholarship. Recommenders should include:
Click the “Button” Above to access the Recommendation forms
- An academic official (teacher, principal, registrar, or another senior academic administrative representative). Note: College students who have completed at least two years should obtain recommendations from college professors, advisors, or counselors.
- A Barangay captain
- A religious leader
- A Peace Corps Volunteer
- A civic leader (not related to you)
Important: Recommendations should be completed using their Recommendation Form Template and submitted digitally.
Click the “Button” Above to access the Recommendation forms
Take note: Handwritten letters will not be accepted.
Learn how to fill out the application form:
Follow these steps to complete and submit your application for the PCAFPD Undergraduate Scholarship Program:
Step 1: Application Form
Once you click the button below you will be redirected to the application form as shown in the picture. scroll down and fill out the details, see the STEP 2
Step 2 of 1: Provide Personal Details
Fill in the required personal information in the application form:
- Name: Fill out this information with your First Name, Middle Name, and Last Name.
- Gender: Select your gender: Male, Female, or Other.
- Date of Birth: Enter your date of birth in the format MM/DD/YYYY.
- Marital Status: Select your marital status: Single, Married, Divorced, or Widowed.
- Address: Provide your address details:
such as,
Barangay
City/Municipality
and Province
Email and Phone Number: Enter your email address. Enter your phone number.
Click Next to proceed with the next stage.
Step 3 of 2: Proceed with Education Details
- Indicate your Educational Attainment by selecting one of the following: Currently in Grade 12, Currently in College, or Not enrolled in School.
- Provide the full name of the school you plan to attend with the support of the scholarship.
- Specify whether the school is public or private and State the estimated annual amount of tuition and other school fees.
- For Grade 12 students and SHS Graduates, indicate whether you have already passed the school’s entrance examination, are scheduled to take it, or have not yet taken it and Specify the degree program you plan to pursue or are currently taking.
- Provide your expected college graduation year.
Step 4 of 3: Family Information
- Father’s Name: Provide your father’s first, middle, and last names.
- Father’s Occupation: State your father’s occupation.
- Father’s Annual Income: Indicate your father’s annual income.
- Father’s Highest Level of Education Completed: Select one of the following options:
- Did Not Finish High School
- High School Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree or Above (Ph.D., JD, MD)
- Mother’s Name: Provide your mother’s first, middle, and last names.
- Mother’s Occupation: State your mother’s occupation.
- Mother’s Annual Income: Indicate your mother’s annual income.
- Mother’s Highest Level of Education Completed: Select one of the following options:
- Did Not Finish High School
- High School Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree or Above (Ph.D., JD, MD)
- Family Income: Indicate whether you currently contribute to the family income by selecting Yes or No.
- Other Scholarships: State whether you have a scholarship other than the PCAFPD scholarship by selecting Yes or No.
- Miscellaneous Information:
- How did you learn about the PCAFPD Scholarship? Choose one of the following.
- Preferred Method of Contact: Choose your preferred method of contact, either Email or Mobile.
Step 5 of 4: Essay Topics
All applicants are required to submit three essays on different topics. Your Personal Statements are the best means of getting to know you and are a major factor in determining awards.
Each essay has a 400-word limit. Be sure to format your essays properly, accounting for paragraph breaks and titles.
Topic 1: Tell us what course you want to study and how you believe that your education will prepare you to contribute to your country’s development. (400 Word Limit)
Topic 2: Describe any personal hardships or barriers you have had to overcome, OR describe an event in your life that either demonstrates your character or helped shape it. (400 Word Limit)
Topic 3: Describe an example of when you volunteered either as a leader or participant in an extracurricular activity that supported your community. What did that experience teach you about leadership and service to your community? (400 Word Limit)
Step 6 of 5: Documentation
Please read the note indicated on the form or see the image below for guidance.
- Upload a PDF File of your first recommendation form. The maximum file size allowed is 5MB.
- Upload a PDF File of your second recommendation form. The maximum file size allowed is 5MB.
- Upload a PDF File containing your grade records as described in the requirements above. Your most recent report cards or grades must include a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA). The maximum file size allowed is 5MB.
- Upload a PDF File of the latest Bureau of Internal Revenue Income Tax Return (ITR) of your parents/guardians or yours if you’re already working. If you or your parents/guardians do not have an ITR, you may submit a Certificate of Indigence from your Barangay or an Affidavit of Non-filing of Income Tax Return. The maximum file size allowed is 5MB.
Step 7 of 6: Certification
- I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines that the information on this application is true and correct and represents the true financial status of my family.
Check to Certify
- I affirm that completing the scholarship application was done without the assistance of artificial intelligence.
- Check to Certify
- Signature of Scholar Applicant Named Above
Result Notice
After submitting, a result note can be displayed as follows:
“Thanks for applying for a scholarship. We’ll be notifying awardees of our decision in March. Please visit our website frequently during that month to look for the announcement.”
PCAFPD Scholarship Terms and Conditions:
To ensure the continued support of your PCAFPD Scholarship, you must adhere to the following obligations.
These requirements are essential to maintaining your scholarship and making the most of the opportunity provided.
- Maintain Full-Time Enrollment: Carry a full course load unless you have been approved for part-time attendance. If part-time, complete your degree within one and a half times the standard duration (e.g., a 2-year degree must be finished within 3 years).
- Complete Your Degree on Time: Finish your degree within the prescribed time frame. For part-time students, this means completing your studies within one and a half times the standard duration.
- Submit Transcripts: Provide a transcript of grades at the end of each semester.
- Achieve Passing Grades: Ensure that you earn passing grades in all courses.
- Submit Semester Essays: Write and submit an essay at the end of each semester reflecting on your experiences.
- Maintain Communication: Keep regular contact with the PCAFPD/Manila team.
- Report Additional Scholarships: Inform the Foundation immediately if you receive another scholarship. This may lead to adjustments in your PCAFPD funding to allocate resources to other deserving students.
- Seek Approval for Changes: Obtain prior approval if you plan to change your course of study or school. This request must be made by the first semester of your second year. Changes, especially in graduate school, may affect your scholarship and could lead to termination if credits are lost.
- Participate in PCAFPD Activities: Engage in PCAFPD networks and activities, such as mentoring programs, scholar meetings, and alumni associations.
Final Thoughts:
The PCAFPD Scholarship Program offers Filipino students a chance to further their education and make a positive impact in their communities.
The application process is thorough, so it’s important to carefully prepare and submit all required documents.
Keep an eye on the official website for updates and the list of accepted applicants, which will be announced in March.
Notice: Information Disclaimer
The PhilScholar website does not offer scholarship programs or engage in hiring activities. It serves solely as an informational platform providing details on scholarships and grants available for educational purposes.
While the PhilScholar website does not directly facilitate applications, users can find guides and informational articles related to admissions and scholarship application processes.
However, users are advised to meticulously examine the credibility of the content provided.
All information presented on this platform is intended for informational purposes only.
Users are encouraged to verify any details independently before making decisions based on the content provided.
For additional verification or inquiries, references are provided at the end of the content section.
Reference:
- Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Philippines. (n.d.). PCAFPD scholarship application. Retrieved September 2, 2024, from https://rpcvphilippines.org/applications/?fbclid=IwY2xjawFCBnJleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQ6mibwfRLgZoYNLf4fvTiWpVqg02N9khyrOrVGWqlNe74igLqCJE8Zm9A_aem_8D11L0jLkHWfeBNvWsb8KA
- Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Philippines. (n.d.). PCAFPD undergraduate scholarship application. Retrieved September 2, 2024, from https://rpcvphilippines.org/pcafpd-undergraduate-scholarship-application/
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