WHAT STUDENT-APPLICANTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE AGRICULTURAL COMPETITIVENESS ENHANCEMENT FUND
– GRANTS-IN-AID FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM (ACEF-GIAHEP)

The Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund – Grants-In-Aid for Higher Education Program (ACEF-GIAHEP) is officially open for applications for Academic Year 2024-2025! Applications will be accepted until August 15, 2024. There are only 37 slots available for the program for the stated academic year. The following are the important things that student-applicants need to know:

A. Eligibility Requirements

A student-applicant must comply with the following qualifications to avail of the scholarship grant:

  1. Filipino citizen;
  1. Graduating high school student; High school graduate; or with earned college academic units relevant to the identified degree programs;
  1. Will enroll or currently enrolled in recognized programs of PHEIs or authorized programs of SUCs / LUCs in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, veterinary medicine education and related agricultural education programs;
  1. Combined annual gross income of parents / guardians not exceeding Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 400,000.00) 

In exceptional cases where income exceeds PHP 400,000.00, CHEDROs shall determine the merits of the application. Said exceptional cases include but are not limited to the following:

  • Applicant who has four (4) or more dependent siblings;
  • Applicant who has family member/s with medical findings of serious illness;
  • Applicant whose Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) parents / guardians face employment problems, termination, or deportation; and
  • Other similar cases as mentioned above
  1. Preferably a dependent of registered farmers and / or fisherfolks in Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) and other registry systems;
  1. Must not be a beneficiary of any government funded student financial assistance program; and
  1. Must not be convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.

B. Documentary Requirements

Student-applicants must comply with the following requirements for the scholarship grant and be uploaded to the student-applicant designated portal account preferably in PDF format:

  1. Certified True Copy of Birth Certificate
  1. Academic requirement:
  1. For senior high school graduates – Form 138;
  2. For graduating senior high school students – duly Certified True Copy of grades for Grade 11 and 1st semester of Grade 12; and
  3. For applicants with earned units in college – duly Certified True Copy of grades for the latest semester / term attended;
  1. Proof of income – ANY of the following:
  1. Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of applicant and / spouse / parents / guardians if employed;
  2. Certificate of Tax Exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR);
  3. Certificate of No Income from BIR; 
  4. Certificate / Case Study Report from City / Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (C/MSWD)
  1. Proof that the student applicant belongs to special group/s (if applicable).

C. Financial Assistance Package

a.) PRIVATE HEIs

TYPE TOTAL COST PER SEMESTER TOTAL COST PER ACADEMIC YEAR
TOSF 10,00.00 20,000.00
Stipend 17,500.00 35,000.00
Book Allowance 2,500.00 5,000.00
TOTAL 30,000.00 60,000.00

b.) SUCs / LUCs

TYPE TOTAL COST PER SEMESTER TOTAL COST PER ACADEMIC YEAR
TOSF FREE FREE
Stipend 17,500.00 35,000.00
Book Allowance 2,500.00 5,000.00
TOTAL 20,000.00 40,000.00

D. Selection Criteria

In the selection of beneficiaries, the following percentage distribution shall be used in ranking:

Academic Performance 70%
Annual Gross Income 30%
Total 100%

To apply, create an account and fill out the online application form via the CHED Scholarship Portal

Applications are open from July 9, 2024 until August 15, 2024. For more information please send us an email at chedcaragastufaps@ched.gov.ph or contact us at 0912-089-2045 (mobile) / (085) 815-3698 (landline).