The University of Makati (UMak) offers a range of scholarship programs, grants, and educational assistance designed to help deserving students access quality education. These opportunities ease the cost of tuition and other school expenses, giving financially challenged students the support they need to focus on their studies and reach their goals. As a public university, UMak already keeps education affordable—and its scholarships go a step further to open doors for those who need them most.
What Is the University of Makati?
The University of Makati (UMak) is a public university funded by the local government, located along J.P. Rizal Extension, West Rembo, Makati City. It traces its roots to 1972, when it began as Makati Polytechnic College under Municipal Resolution No. 242, Ordinance No. 64.
Over the years, the institution grew and changed names several times:
- 1987 – Became a full-fledged college, renamed Polytechnic Community College
- 1990 – Became a university after integrating the former Fort Andres Bonifacio College
- 1991 – Renamed Pamantasan ng Makati by Hon. Mayor Jejomar Binay and began operations
- 2002 – Adopted its current name, the University of Makati
As it expanded, UMak broadened its facilities, colleges, and course offerings. Today, it offers programs in arts and sciences, education, business administration, computer science, technology management, governance and public policy, nursing and allied health, performing and digital arts, and physical wellness. The university also runs a Senior High School program, graduate programs, a School of Law, and a Technical Education and Skills Training program.
UMak has earned several certifications and accreditations along the way. It became the country’s first ISO-certified local university and has held ISO 9001:2008 certification (conferred by SGS) since 2012. Twenty-three of its programs are accredited by the Association of Local Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation. UMak was also one of 33 institutions that piloted DepEd’s Senior High School Program, and it became the country’s biggest producer of Senior High School graduates during A.Y. 2014 and 2015. On top of that, it ranks among the top-performing schools in the Nurse and Radiologic Technologist Licensure Examinations.
UMak shines beyond academics, too. Its homegrown athletes have represented Elite Team Philippines at the 28th SEA Games in Archery, Floorball, Traditional Boat Race, Women’s Rugby, and Squash—earning 6 medals among the university’s 14 delegates. UMak is also a six-peat Overall Champion of the National ALCU Games. For students, this means a place to grow both their talents and their skills while enjoying quality, affordable tertiary education.
True to its mission, UMak continues to offer scholarship programs aimed especially at underprivileged students who need help covering their educational costs. These programs encourage students to stay focused and reach their goals. The list below details all the scholarship programs, grants, and financial aid opportunities you may apply for as a student of the University of Makati.
1. Full Entrance Token Fee Exemption Grant
This scholarship grant is being offered to incoming freshmen students (residents or non-residents of Makati City) who want to enroll in the University of Makati. To apply and qualify, they must have graduated as a Highest Honor awardee with a general weighted average (GWA) of 98-100 during their Senior High School years.
Interested students may opt to apply for the said scholarship program by providing the basic requirements including the 1st semester and 2nd semester Grade 12 high school report card indicating the general average required above as well as the certification indicating the Highest Honor Award of the scholarship applicants duly signed by their principal or in charge school registrar.
2. Partial Entrance Token Fee Exemption Grant
This scholarship grant is similar to the scholarship grant mentioned above. The only difference is that the Partial Entrance Token Fee Exemption Grant is offered to the incoming freshmen students of the University of Makati (resident or non-resident of Makati City who obtained a High Honor award during their Senior High School years.
Interested students who wish to apply for the said scholarship grant must have obtained a general weighted average (GWA) of 95-97 in the 1st or 2nd semester of their senior high school years. The required documents are also similar to the requirements mentioned above that include the following;
- Grade 12 High School report card indicated the general grade mentioned above signed by the high school adviser/teacher, school registrar, and the school principal.
- A Certificate that indicates the awards achieved by the scholarship applicants duly signed by the principal of the school that he or she last attended.
3. Maritime Scholarship
This kind of scholarship is a full token fee exemption given to the eligible students of the said university, taking up an undergraduate course or college of maritime leadership innovation. Required documents may include a Grade 12 report of grades from 1st semester to 2nd semester or the Senior High School report card duly signed by the class adviser and the endorsement letter coming from the College Dean.
4. Persons with Disability 9442
The said study grant is specially designed in line with Presidential Decree 577 which gives a special full token fee exemptions to the dependents of the deceased military personnel who died under their service or those who are incapacitated because of the military duty and responsibility.
The said presidential decree declared that since the Armed Forces of the Philippines sacrifice to attain the peace and order of the country even if they risk their lives unto it wherein their dependents are left to share a burden, it is necessary to provide a full exemption to the tuition and matriculation fee of their children or legal dependents.
Interested applicants of the said scholarship must be an incoming freshmen student and are required to submit the following documents including the senior high school report of grades most especially the 1st semester and the 2nd semester or the Grade 12 report card, then the certification from the Armed Forces of the Philippines or any ID indicated that the applicant is a beneficiary.
5. Sister City Scholar
In line with the Sisterhood Program of the City Government of Makati, the said scholarship grant is specially designed to formulate scholarship support for the non-residents of Makati City who want to study at the University of Makati. A full token of exemptions will be granted to the eligible applicants of any undergraduate program or courses.
Qualified students must have a general weighted average of at least 2.0 without having grades lower than 3.0 in all academic subject courses. Additionally, students should not have failed or incomplete grades, or dropped subjects which may lead to disqualification of the scholarship program.
Interested applicants are required to submit the basic requirements including the Grade 12 report card (both 1st semester and 2nd semester) and the endorsement from the International Relations Department (IRD) which can be found in the Office of the Mayor.
6. UMak Faculty and Non-Teaching Employees and their Dependents
This is a scholarship award given to the teaching and non-teaching faculty and employees of the University of Makati including their dependents. Additionally, this is designed to improve the quality of teaching at the said university as the enrolled students who are recognized as the legal dependents of the employees of the University of Makati with at least one (1) year of service in the said institution can receive a tuition or token fee exemption once they qualified to the said educational grant.
To apply, they are required to submit the required documents which will be needed for the scholarship application including the Grade 12 1st and 2nd-semester report card and Endorsement that will come from the HRMO of the said university.
7. Band Member Token Fee Exemption Grant
This is an educational support grant given to the recognized students who are members of the UMak Band. Students are required to submit their Grade 12 report cards in the last 1st and 2nd semesters during their senior high school years, including their endorsement coming from the Center of Culture and the Arts (CCA). Additionally, they must take an active part in the University most especially in the organization and the city of Makati, and must secure no incomplete grades, dropped subjects, or failing grades.
8. Chorale Token Fee Exemption Grant
The said educational grant is similar to the Band Member Token Fee Exemption Grant wherein the member of the UMak Chorale Group who is interested to be an awardee of the said grant will be given a full token of exemption that will be endorsed by the Center of Culture and the Arts (CCA). Interested applicants are expected to submit the following requirements which will be needed for the application of the said grant;
- Endorsement coming from CCA.
- Grade 12 Report of Grades from 1st and 2nd semester of his or her Senior High School years.
- Must render a contribution to the said university including in the City of Makati.
- Must have no failures, incomplete and dropped subject.
9. Corps of Sponsors Token Fee Exemption Grant
This education support is given to those NROTC officers and cadets who take an active part in its unit which can be found in the said university in which scholars of the said program will be given a token fee of the exemption provided that they will take an active part in the organization and must not have any failing grades, incomplete or dropped subject in which they may opt to submit the required documents including the report Grade 12 card from the 1st and 2nd semester from Senior High School grades including the endorsement that will come from the Center for National Service Training Program (CNSTP).
Video: University of Makati
Check out this video that is helpful for those incoming students of UMak who wish to be part of the said university. Here, you will be guided with some tips and information and a brief background or overview of the said institution.
The requirements including the benefits that you may receive from the scholarship programs are also tackled here. Thus, this video was designed to promote the best interest of the said learning institution to attract more student enrollees.