The CHED EASE Scholarship Program helps incoming first-year college students from marginalized and underprivileged groups afford higher education. If you belong to a Special Equity Group and are about to begin college, this scholarship can open the door to a degree that once felt out of reach.
Qualified applicants can apply through the application form and prepare the required documents before the deadline. Take a moment to check if you meet the requirements, gather what you need, and submit on time to secure your slot.
- Application portal: https://bit.ly/2026EASEApplicationPortal
What Is the CHED EASE Scholarship Program?
EASE stands for Expanding Access to Scholarships for Equity Groups. It’s a financial assistance program from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) built to support qualified incoming first-year college students who belong to Special Equity Groups (SEGs).
The program does more than just help students enroll. It’s designed to strengthen social inclusion by tackling the real challenges that vulnerable students face. Through targeted financial benefits, EASE supports three important goals:
- Access: Helping students get into higher education in the first place
- Retention: Keeping students enrolled so they don’t drop out due to financial pressure
- Completion: Supporting beneficiaries until they finish their degree
By backing students from start to finish, EASE contributes to poverty reduction, social protection, and a stronger role for these students in national development and nation-building.
Who Are the Special Equity Groups (SEGs)?
Special Equity Groups are individuals or sectors recognized as marginalized, underprivileged, or vulnerable under existing Philippine laws and policies. If you belong to any of the following groups, you may qualify for EASE:
- Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens – as defined under RA No. 7279 (Urban Development and Housing Act), as amended
- The Poor – as defined under RA No. 11291 (Magna Carta of the Poor)
- Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) – under RA No. 7277 (Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities), as amended
- Solo Parents and their Children – under RA No. 8972 (Solo Parents’ Welfare Act), as amended
- Senior Citizens – under RA No. 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act)
- Indigenous Cultural Communities/Indigenous Peoples (ICCs/IPs) – under RA No. 8371 (Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act)
The program welcomes eligible first-year students from these groups regardless of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, civil status, disability, religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation. What matters is that you meet the requirements and belong to a recognized SEG.
Eligibility Requirements
Before you apply, check whether you meet all of the following criteria. You’ll need to satisfy each one to qualify for the EASE Program:
- Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines
- A duly certified member of any Special Equity Group
- A Senior High School (SHS) graduate in the Philippines with a minimum general average of at least 85% or its equivalent
- Admitted or enrolled in a CHED-identified priority undergraduate program with valid Government Recognition (GR) or Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC)
- Your annual income must not exceed Php 2,000,000 — this means your individual income if you’re employed, or the combined annual gross income of your parents or legal guardians if you’re a dependent
Meeting all five points is essential. If you fall short on even one, your application may not move forward.
Which Schools Qualify?
It’s not enough to be enrolled anywhere. Your school and your program both need the right recognition from CHED. The EASE Program covers students enrolled in CHED-identified priority undergraduate programs offered by:
- Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) duly recognized by CHED
- State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) duly recognized by CHED
- Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) with Institutional Recognition (IR)
Your chosen program must have valid Government Recognition (GR) or a Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC). The priority programs are listed in CMO No. 7, s. 2023, or the latest applicable CHED issuance covering national, regional, and Gender and Development (GAD) priority programs. When in doubt, confirm with your school or your CHED Regional Office before applying.
Application Form for CHED EASE
For those who are decided in applying for CHED EASE, you may check the online application form for the new school year using this link – https://bit.ly/2026EASEApplicationPortal
Deadline for this academic year is until July 31, 2026
Visit your CHED Regional Office website or scan the official QR code from the EASE poster to access the application form and full details
Priority Programs Under EASE
Not all programs are treated equally when slots are awarded. EASE follows a priority system to make sure benefits reach students in the most in-demand fields first.
First Priority
Through Joint Memorandum Order series of 2026, first priority goes to qualified applicants who are incoming or current first-year students pursuing these programs:
- Psychology (BS/AB)
- Physical Therapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech-Language Pathology
Second Priority
If slots remain after all qualified first-priority applicants have been considered, second priority is awarded based on the programs listed in CHED Memorandum Order No. 15, s. 2026. So even if your program isn’t in the first-priority list, you may still have a chance once the initial round is filled.
Documents You Need to Prepare
A complete application is a strong application. Gather these documents before the deadline so you’re not scrambling at the last minute:
- Accomplished Application Form
- PSA / NSO Birth Certificate
- Certification and/or Identification Card confirming your membership in a Special Equity Group
- Certified True Copy (CTC) of SF 9 / Form 138 (your report card)
- One (1) valid Proof of Income, which can be any of the following:
- BIR Form 1701 / 1701A or BIR Form 2316
- Certificate of Tax Exemption
- Social Case Study Report
- Latest contract for children of OFWs or seafarers
Double-check that each document is current and properly certified. Missing or incomplete paperwork is one of the most common reasons applications get rejected.
How and When to Apply
The application window for A.Y. 2026–2027 is open now, and you have a firm deadline to meet.
- Deadline: Applications are open until July 31, 2026
- Where to apply: Visit your CHED Regional Office website or scan the official QR code from the EASE poster to access the application form and full details
- Application portal: https://bit.ly/2026EASEApplicationPortal
You can also reach CHED Regional Office III through their Facebook page, their website at region3.ched.gov.ph, or by email at stufapsro3@ched.gov.ph if you have questions along the way.
Final Reminder Before You Apply
The CHED EASE Scholarship Program is a real opportunity to ease the cost of college and stay focused on your studies. It’s built for students from equity groups who deserve a fair shot at higher education — and it supports them all the way to graduation.
Here’s what to do next:
- Confirm your eligibility against all five requirements, especially your 85% average and income limit.
- Gather and certify your documents early so nothing holds you back.
- Submit before July 31, 2026 through your CHED Regional Office or the official application portal.
One last thing to keep in mind: only complete applications submitted on or before the deadline will be considered. Start early, prepare carefully, and give yourself the best chance to secure your spot. Your future is worth the effort.