The CHED Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Grants-in-Aid for Higher Education Program (ACEF-GIAHEP) Scholarship provides financial assistance to qualified students enrolled in agriculture and agriculture-related degree programs. Depending on the type of school, eligible scholars may receive up to PHP 60,000 per year to help cover tuition, allowances, and other education-related expenses.
Although the application is not yet open, interested applicants can already start preparing their requirements. This guide will help you get ready before the official application period begins.
Benefits
The financial package depends on your school type, and both options ease the biggest burdens on families.
Private HEIs – up to PHP 60,000 per year:
- Tuition and other school fees: PHP 20,000
- Stipend: PHP 35,000
- Book allowance: PHP 5,000
SUCs and LUCs – up to PHP 40,000 per year:
- Tuition and other school fees: FREE
- Stipend: PHP 35,000
- Book allowance: PHP 5,000
Qualification
The program targets students from farming and fishing communities who need support to stay in school. To qualify, applicants must:
- Be a Filipino citizen
- Be a graduating senior high school student, SHS graduate, or someone with earned college units in a related course
- Enroll in a recognized program at a private HEI, SUC, or LUC
- Have a combined parental or guardian annual income of no more than PHP 400,000
- Not be receiving any other government-funded student aid
- Have no conviction involving moral turpitude
Dependents of registered farmers and fisherfolk under the RSBSA are given preference.
Courses
The scholarship covers degree programs tied to the agricultural sector, including:
- Agriculture and Agricultural Technology
- Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine
- Fisheries, Food Technology, and Forestry
- Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
- Specialized majors like Agronomy, Horticulture, Organic Agriculture, and Agricultural Economics
Documents You Need to Prepare
Have these ready before you apply:
- Certified true copy of your PSA Birth Certificate
- Academic records (Form 138 for SHS graduates, certified grades for graduating students, or latest college grades for those with earned units)
- Proof of parental or guardian income (ITR, BIR Certificate of Tax Exemption or No Income, or a C/MSWD case study report)
- Proof of membership in a special group (solo parent, IP, PWD), if applicable
How to Apply
Applications are processed per region, so your first step is checking your CHED Regional Office.
- Gather and clearly scan all your documents.
- Visit your CHED Regional Office portal to check if applications are open in your area.
| CHEDRO I | CHEDRO V | CHEDRO IX | CHEDRO IX (BARMM) | CARAGA |
| CHEDRO II | CHEDRO VI | CHEDRO X | CHEDRO X (BARMM) | MIMAROPA |
| CHEDRO III | CHEDRO VII | CHEDRO XI | CHEDRO XII (BARMM) | NCR |
| CHEDRO IV | CHEDRO VIII | CHEDRO XII | CAR |
- Submit your requirements through the correct regional form or contact channel.
Note: As of now, the CHED ACEF-GIAHEP application is not yet open. Based on previous application cycles, the program has typically opened around August. Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare their requirements and monitor CHED’s official announcements for updates.
Summary
The CHED ACEF-GIAHEP Scholarship is a financial assistance program for qualified students taking agriculture and agriculture-related courses. Eligible scholars may receive a financial assistance, depending on the type of higher education institution they attend. The grant helps cover tuition and other educational expenses, making it easier for students to complete their college education.