Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Prospero de Vera III clarified at the Laging Handa Public Briefing that only the new applications for Merit or graded-based scholarship program have been suspended due to the lack of funds, Saturday, March 12.

“Ang hindi lang po napunduhan o’ kulang ng pondo na scholarship ng CHED ay yung tinatawag na Merit Scholarship. Ito po ay scholarship na ina-applayan ng mga istudyante based on grades. Pataasan po sila ng grades para sa mga priority programs,” said De Vera.

He also added that the Commission has many scholarship programs that are not affected by the suspension.

“Marami po ang scholarship ng CHED. Halimbawa ang Tertiary Education Subsidy, Tulong Dunong under RA10931, hindi po apektado ‘yan, iyan po ay mayroong pundo. Yung ating scholarship para sa Doctor sa Bayan, may pundo po yan. Yung ating scholarship sa anak sa mga sugar worker, may pondo po ‘yan,” he said.

According to De Vera, CHED can only fund the continuing scholars of the said merit program and not for new applications. At present, there are 5,000 slots affected for the said scholarship.

“Ang kaya lang po naming pundohan ay ‘yung continuing scholars. Sinuspendi po natin na tumanggap ng mga bagong application sa CHED Merit Scholarship dahil kulang po ng pundo. ‘Yun lang po ang apektado. Ang apektado diyan ay mga 5000 slots for scholarship. Maliit po ‘yan compared sa pangkabuuang financial assistance program ng CHED,” he explained.

Based on a memoradum released on February 21, De Vera said that the said program will temporarily suspend accepting new applications due to the budget inadequacy in the financial year budget for the Academic Year 2022-2023.

Story by Mediatrix Macasil