The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is now accepting applications for the Expanding Access to Scholarships for Special Equity Groups (EASE) Program for Academic Year 2026-2027 for qualified incoming first-year college students belonging to Special Equity Groups (SEGs).
CHED EASE Scholarship 2026
The Expanding Access to Scholarships for Special Equity Groups (EASE) Program strengthens social inclusion by expanding educational opportunities for students from marginalized, underprivileged, or vulnerable sectors. Through targeted financial benefits, the program supports not only access to higher education but also the retention and successful completion of beneficiaries, contributing to poverty reduction and social protection.
The following are considered Special Equity Groups (SEGs) under the program:
- Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens (RA No. 7279);
- Poor, as defined under the Magna Carta of the Poor (RA No. 11291);
- Persons with Disabilities or PWDs (RA No. 7277);
- Solo Parents and their Children (RA No. 8972);
- Senior Citizens (RA No. 9994); and
- Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous Peoples (RA No. 8371).
What are the qualifications?
Before applying, make sure you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Must be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines;
- Must be a duly certified member of any Special Equity Group (SEG);
- Must be a graduate of Senior High School in the Philippines with a minimum general average of at least 85% or its equivalent;
- Must be admitted or enrolled in any CHED-identified priority undergraduate program with valid Government Recognition (GR) or Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC), offered by PHEIs, SUCs, or LUCs with Institutional Recognition (IR); and
- The applicant’s individual income, if employed, or the combined annual gross income of parents or legal guardians must not exceed ₱2,000,000.
READ: Metrobank Foundation Scholarship 2026
What are the requirements?
Applicants must prepare and submit the following documentary requirements in PDF or JPEG format:
A. Required Documents:
- Photocopy of Birth Certificate issued by the NSO or PSA;
- Certified true copy of Form 138 or School Form 9 (SF9) duly signed by the registrar or an authorized representative of the Senior High School attended; and
- Admission Slip or an equivalent document from the intended HEI.
B. Certification of Membership in any Special Equity Group:
- For Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens – certification issued by the Local Housing Office, Urban Poor Affairs Office, DHSUD, or C/MSWDO, or proof of inclusion in the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS);
- For Indigenous Peoples – certification issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP);
- For Senior Citizens – Senior Citizen ID issued by the Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA);
- For Solo Parents and their Children – valid Solo Parent ID of the applicant or parent issued by the C/MSWDO;
- For PWDs – valid PWD ID issued by the PDAO or certification issued by the C/MSWDO; and
- For individuals covered under the Magna Carta for the Poor – Social Case Study Report or proof of inclusion in the CBMS as certified by the C/MSWDO.
C. Financial Documents (any one of the following):
- Income Tax Return (BIR Form No. 1701/1701A) or Certificate of Compensation Payment or Tax Withheld (BIR Form No. 2316);
- Certificate of Tax Exemption or Non-Filer issued by the BIR;
- Certified true copy of contract or proof of income for children of OFWs and seafarers; or
- Social Case Study Report issued by the C/MSWDO.
D. For Applicants with Legal Guardians:
Notarized Certificate of Guardianship issued by the legal guardian of the student-applicant.
Note: Each file should not exceed 5MB. Use the file naming convention: LastName_FirstName_DocumentName (e.g., LastName_FirstName_BirthCertificate). Make sure all uploads are rotated correctly and free from password protection.
How to apply for the CHED EASE Scholarship 2026
Make sure to prepare all the required documents before applying. Then, submit your application online through the official EASE Application Portal at: bit.ly/2026EASEApplicationPortal.
Application Period
The deadline for submission of applications for the CHED EASE Scholarship Program for Academic Year 2026-2027 is on July 31, 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their requirements as early as possible to avoid last-minute technical issues.
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