Tertiary education is important but not everyone has the privilege to pursue a college education. Hence, the Commission on Higher Education took the initiative to support the college education of every Filipino youth in a wide range of courses and degree programs they can choose from. Included here is the Cash Grant to Medical Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs).
Also Read: List of CHED Scholarship Programs
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) with the joint force of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has been initiated to offer cash grants to medical students enrolled in some identified State Universities and Colleges. Read it below and learn more about this cash grant.
What is the CHED-Cash Grant to Medical Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs)?
The CHED-Cash Grant to Medical Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs) is a CHED and DBM jointly issued implementing guidelines that provide financial grants to all Filipino medical students both new and continuing enrolled under Doctor of Medicine Programs in some identified State Universities and Colleges including the following:
1. Bicol University which is located in Daraga, Albay
2. University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte
3. University of Northern Philippines in Tamag, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
4. University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine located in Pedro Gil, Manila
5. West Visayas State University which is located on Luna Street, La Paz, Iloilo City
6. Mariano Marcos State University found in Quiling Sur, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte
7. Cagayan State University which is located in Carig, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
8. Mindanao State University located in Marawi City, Lanao Del Sur
The Cash Grant to Medical Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs) aims to provide tuition fee subsidies to all qualified students in the State Universities and Colleges enrolled under the Doctor of Medicine Programs. Its coverage is for Filipino medical students, either new or continuing medical students taking up any Doctor of Medicine Program.
Benefits
This financial educational grant is open to all Filipino medical students both new and continuing to undertake the medical program in the aforementioned universities that can acquire a greater benefit including the following:
- They shall be entitled to receive a one hundred percent (100 %) tuition fee subsidy based on the exact tuition fee of the respective universities. However, the beneficiary may only apply for one government financial assistance program for tuition.
- Currently, there are eight universities in the Philippines that offer a 100% tuition subsidy for all medical students
- Qualified applicants can no longer think of their tuition payment because it is already covered by the CHED.
Qualifications
The following is the list of qualification requirements that aspiring applicants must meet to be eligible applicants for the said educational grant.
- It is open to all Filipino medical students enrolled in the specified state universities and colleges both continuing and new.
- Parents/guardian’s annual combined gross income does not exceed Php 400, 000.00
- High School graduates or College students who have earned units in CHED-recognized Programs at Private HEIs, SUCs, or LUCs with at least passing weighted average (GWA) or who have passed the Alternative Learning System (ALS)/ Philippine Education Placement Test (PEPT).
Requirements
The following is the list of requirements that aspiring medical student applicants must meet to qualify for the said program.
- SUC admission requirements must be met.
- Enroll in SUC’s authorized Doctor of Medicine Program.
- Eligible applicants must maintain his/her general weighted average (GWA) in a passing grade.
- No irregularities and must maintain a regular academic load and complete the medical degree within the time frame specified by the university.
- In exchange, student-grantees of the said program must serve the Philippines for one year where in they can repay the favor by working as doctors in government or private hospitals. Local government health facilities or even a barrio’s doctors. This is what they considered a Return Service System (RSS). It is also an advantage to them to acquire experience of service as a medical practitioner.
Note: SUCs have already implemented a Return Service System to ensure that student grantees stay and serve the country after graduation.
How to Get CHED Cash Grant for Medical Students
To the medical students who wish to apply and avail of a free tuition subsidy offered by the CHED, the following are the step-by-step guide and instructions for the application process.
Step 1: The applicants must submit the duly accomplished CGMS-SUCs Application Form (Annex A) along with the required documents to the SUC before the academic year will start.
Step 2: Next, the SUC evaluates the documents of the applicants.
Step 3: After that, the SUC issues a Notice of Award (NOA) to the applicants using the Annex B
Step 4: Upon receiving the NOA, the applicants must submit their response regarding their application using Annex B.
Step 5: Then, the SUC relay further instructions to the applicants.
Important Reminders
Attached below are some of the important points that aspiring applicants need to remember before applying.
- The Filipino medical student who wishes to apply to the said program must consider first the school they will enroll in.
- Not all SUCs offer a free tuition subsidy to medical students.
- If you are interested applicants you must consider first the requirements that you need to meet and follow or you will lose your scholarship grant.
- Be mindful when you fill out the Application Form and verify all the information you have indicated on the Application Form and make sure that all the information is accurate.
Video: Cash Grant to Medical Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges
Check out the video provided below as it will give you in-depth knowledge regarding the said program.
The videos features here all the information that you might need to know if you are a medical student and interested to apply for the said educational scholarship grant. It was also discussed in the video the application process on how and where you can send or submit an application including the universities or colleges where the scholarship program is available. Hence, it is a huge help and a great advantage to know these things and tips before applying for the said program.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. I am interested to apply for the said program. Where can I get the application form?
If you are an interested applicant you can download the application form online https://tinyurl.com/CGMS-SUCs-Application-Form or you can also visit https://ched.gov.ph/stufaps/ for more information.
2. I am a medical student and I am interested to apply to have a tuition fee subsidy but I am currently in another medical school. Am I still qualified?
As what being stated in the joint memorandum circular no. 2017-4, the program is intended for all Filipino medical students, who will enroll for the Academic year 2017-2018 in identified participating SUCs offering a Doctor of Medicine Program. Hence, verify first whether the school or university you are currently enrolled in is on the list of the universities or colleges mentioned above.
3. I am a grantee of another government scholarship program and it is not enough to cover my whole expenses at the medical school where I enrolled in. Am I eligible to apply for the said scholarship program that the CHED offer?
Although this program is intended for Filipino medical students it is required that the grantees must be a recipient of only one government scholarship program so if you are already a scholarship awardee of any government scholarship program you are not qualified to apply for the said program.
4. To whom will I contact if I have concerns regarding the scholarship?
If you have more questions or concerns regarding the program you can call them at (02) 8988-0001 or you can email them at osds-Isad@ched.gov.ph or visit their website https://ched.gov.ph/stufaps/ for your concerns or you can also ask for assistance to the scholarship department in your university.
5. Does the scholarship program cover all the educational expenses in my med school?
The scholarship covers one hundred percent (100%) of your tuition fee but not all the expenses in your med-school. You are responsible for your other school expenses including your allowance, projects, and many more.
6. I am only an average student who wishes to be a doctor someday. Is it guaranteed that the scholarship program will cover the tuition fees? I heard that there are delays in the scholarship reimbursement.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) together with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) also verifies the budget before releasing it to the different State Universities and Colleges so therefore it is pretty normal that it takes time to do the verification process and release the scholarship budget so usually the SUCs suggested the refund payment process to scholarship beneficiaries.
7. Where can I secure an application?
Go to the participating State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) offering Doctor of Medicine Programs and apply.
8. When can I apply for the Cash Grant to Medical Students enrolled in SUCs?
The schedule of application is before the start of the Academic Year. Hence, make sure to make research in advance and make up your mind to choose a desired university or college that offers Doctor of Medicine Programs from the list of SUCs mentioned in this article.
9. The program I wish to take is not available at the State University I wish to study. What should I do?
By any chance, if you’re chosen Doctor of Medicine program is not available in the university or college you wish to study at, you can check out the other scholarship programs offered by the Commission on Higher Education. You may also check out some from the Department of Science and Technology and apply. Just try to look instead for other scholarship programs.
10. What are the CHED email address and hotline numbers per region?
- CHEDRO 1
Email Address: chedro1@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (072) 242-0238 / 242-5017
- CHEDRO 2
Email Address: chedro2@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (078) 396-0651 / 304-1650
- CHEDRO 3
Email Address: chedro3@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (045) 436-1847
- CHEDRO 4a
Email Address: chedro4a@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (02) 8332-4734
- CHEDRO MIMAROPA
Email Address: chedro5@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (02) 8922-1850
- CHEDRO 5
Email Address: chedro6@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (052) 481-5096
- CHEDRO 6
Email Address: chedro7@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (033) 329-5955 / (033) 508-8852
- CHEDRO 7
Email Address: chedro7@ched.gov.ph
Hotline: (032) 414-9194 / 414-9195 / 422-7096
- CHEDRO 8
Email Address: chedro8@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (053) 888-1343
- CHEDRO 9
Email Address: chedro9@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (062) 991-7648 / 991-7084
- CHEDRO 10
Email Address: chedro10@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (088) 880-8513 / 880-8563
- CHEDRO 11
Email Address: chedro11@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: N/A
- CHEDRO 12
Email Address: chedro12@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (083) 228-1127 / 228-7570
- CHEDRO NCR
Email Address: chedroncr@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (02) 8441-0879 / 8441-0985 / 8441-1224
- CHEDRO CAR
Email Address: chedrocar@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (074) 422-4052
- CHEDRO CARAGA
Email Address: chedrocaraga@ched.gov.ph
Hotline Number: (085) 342-5253 / 815-3699
Summary
This is the process of applying for Cash Grants to Medical Students Enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs). Hence, if you wish to be one of the next generation’s life saviors, you are a footstep closer to reaching your dreams since the Commission on Higher Education together with the DBM will help you out as you fight for your dreams to be a medical specialist someday.
Just bear in mind to research beforehand about the different Doctor of Medicine Programs offered by the different State Universities and Colleges as mentioned above. It is also an advantage if you already have a chosen State University or College where you wish to study. Additionally, when applying for the said scholarship grant, make sure to fill out the Application Form accurately and verify all the information declared and indicated before applying.
Also, complete all the required documents and attach all of them along with your Application Form when you submit it to the SUC you have chosen. If ever you still have some concerns or queries about the said scholarship grant, you can contact the CHED through the email addresses and hotline numbers provided above. Good luck with your application!