School expenses can add up quickly, including tuition, transportation, books, school supplies, and other daily needs. Foundation scholarships may help reduce some of these costs.

If you are currently enrolled as a freshman, Foundation Scholarships for 1st Year College Students may be worth checking based on your grades, financial situation, course, school, or family background.

This guide lists foundation scholarship programs that 1st year college students in the Philippines may consider.

Who Is This Guide For?

This guide is mainly for students who are currently in their first year of an undergraduate program.

Scholarship announcements may use different terms for students at this level. You may also see:

• 1st year college student
• First-year college student
• College freshman
• First-year undergraduate student
• Current college student

Some programs may also accept incoming freshmen or students in other year levels. Always check the specific eligibility rules of each scholarship.

Who May Qualify for Foundation Scholarships?

Foundation scholarship programs have different eligibility requirements. Depending on the program, support may be available to:

• Students from financially challenged families
• Students with strong academic performance
• Students taking STEM or other priority courses
• Children or siblings of qualified employees
• Students studying at partner schools
• Students from specific cities or areas
• Students with leadership or community involvement
• Students who meet other program-specific requirements

Not every scholarship applies to every student, so check the qualifications of each program before applying.

Important Application Reminder

Foundation scholarships have different application periods, requirements, and selection processes. Some may open every academic year, while others depend on available slots or partner-school schedules.

Before applying, make sure to check:

• Current application period and deadline
• Updated eligibility requirements
• Required documents
• Academic requirements
• Family income limits
• Eligible courses and partner schools
• Scholarship benefits and coverage
• Rules on receiving another scholarship
• Screening, interview, or examination requirements
• Official application process and submission channel

The scholarships listed in this guide may not all be accepting applications at the same time. Always check the latest official announcement before applying.

Foundation Scholarship Programs

Below are foundation scholarships that 1st year college students in the Philippines may consider. Review each program to see which one may match your academic, financial, course, school, or family situation.

Charity First Foundation

1. Charity First Foundation Scholarship

The Charity First Foundation Scholarship supports qualified students from financially challenged families studying at partner universities.

You may qualify if you are a 1st or 2nd year college student in Metro Manila, have at least an 85% GWA, and are not receiving another scholarship. You must also be willing to attend the program’s monthly life skills motivational seminars.

Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (SBFI)

2. Regalo Mo, Kinabukasan Ko (RMKK) Scholarship Program

The RMKK Scholarship Program provides educational support to qualified Security Bank agency personnel and their children.

You may qualify if you are the child of eligible agency personnel assigned to Security Bank for at least one year and have at least an 80% GWA. You must also not have another scholarship except for a school discount.

3. Security Bank Internal Scholarship Program

The Security Bank Internal Scholarship Program provides educational support to qualified Security Bank employees and their children.

You may qualify if you are the child of an eligible Security Bank employee and have at least an 83% GWA. The employee must also meet the program’s service and employment requirements.

Moirasia Foundation Inc. (MFI)

4. Moirasia Youth Excellence Scholarship (MYES)

The Moirasia Youth Excellence Scholarship supports qualified students studying at Higher Education Institutions in Metro Manila, Baguio, Palawan, or Cebu City.

You may qualify if you meet the program’s academic requirements, have no failing grades, and your family’s annual income does not exceed ₱300,000. You must also not be receiving another scholarship.

Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Inc. (GBFI)

5. GBF STEM College Scholarship

The GBF STEM College Scholarship supports qualified students taking priority STEM degree programs.

You may qualify if you are enrolled in a GBF priority STEM course, have at least an 85% GWA or equivalent, demonstrate financial need, and meet the program’s character and school involvement requirements.

6. GBF Next Gen Scholarship for Excellence

The GBF Next Gen Scholarship for Excellence supports qualified children or siblings of regular Gokongwei Group employees.

You may qualify if you are the child or sibling of an eligible employee, are taking a bachelor’s degree at a Philippine college or university, and have at least an 85% GWA or equivalent. Financial need and extracurricular involvement are also considered.

7. GBF Young Scientist Award Scholarship for Excellence

The GBF Young Scientist Award Scholarship supports recipients of the GBF Young Scientist Award who pursue priority STEM programs.

You may qualify if you are a GBF Young Scientist Award recipient and are enrolled or planning to enroll in a DOST priority STEM course at a qualified university.

8. GBF-URC BCFG STEM-Agri College Scholarship

The GBF-URC BCFG STEM-Agri College Scholarship supports qualified students taking selected agriculture-related programs.

You may qualify if you are enrolled in a GBF priority agriculture course at a preferred university and have at least an 85% GWA. The program also has class-ranking, family land, and farmer membership requirements.

9. GBF TeachSTEM College Scholarship Program

The GBF TeachSTEM College Scholarship supports students preparing for careers in teaching, particularly in STEM, tech-voc, or general education.

You may qualify if you are an incoming or current college student in an eligible teacher education program and have at least an 85% GWA. You must also demonstrate financial need, good character, and willingness to teach in a public school in your community after graduation.

Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation Inc. (CLFI)

10. CLFI National Scholarship Program

The CLFI National Scholarship Program supports qualified students enrolled in public universities or colleges and taking eligible degree programs.

You may qualify if you are a Filipino college student with at least an 85% GWA and your family’s annual income does not exceed ₱350,000. You or an eligible relative must also be a Cebuana Lhuillier client, and you must have a Cebuana Lhuillier Microsavings account.

GT Foundation, Inc. (GTFI)

11. GT YES (Youth for Excellence and Service) Scholarship

The GT YES Scholarship provides educational support to qualified first-year students studying at participating partner Higher Education Institutions.

You may qualify if you are a first-year college student, enrolled in a four-year degree program, and studying at one of the program’s participating partner schools.

Tzu Chi Foundation

12. Tzu Chi Foundation Scholarship Program

The Tzu Chi Foundation Scholarship Program supports qualified students from economically challenged families studying at partner State Universities or Colleges.

You may qualify if you are completing your first year and will be an incoming second-year regular student, have at least an 82% GWA or equivalent, and have no failing or incomplete grades. You must also be a Metro Manila resident and pass the program’s interview and home visitation.

BPI Foundation

13. Pagpupugay Scholarship Program

The BPI Pagpupugay Scholarship supports qualified relatives of medical frontliners who passed away or contracted COVID-19 while serving in the line of duty.

You may qualify if you are an eligible next of kin, are studying from 1st year to 4th or 5th year, and have at least an 85% GWA or equivalent. You must also not be receiving another scholarship or educational assistance program.

PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF)

14. PLDT-Smart Foundation Gabay Guro Scholarship Program

The Gabay Guro Scholarship Program supports qualified students pursuing teacher education degrees.

You may qualify if you are a Filipino first-year student taking BEED or BSED major in English, Science, or Mathematics, have at least an 85% high school GWA, and come from a family with an annual gross income of not more than ₱250,000. You must also not be receiving another scholarship.

Uplift Cares Global Movement Foundation Inc.

15. UPLIFT Cares Scholarship Program

The UPLIFT Cares Scholarship Program provides educational assistance to students from underprivileged families across different year levels and courses.

You may qualify as a 1st year student if your family’s monthly income does not exceed ₱30,000, subject to family circumstances, and you maintain at least 85% in each subject with no failing grades.

Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development (PCAFPD)

16. PCAFPD Undergraduate Scholarship

The PCAFPD Undergraduate Scholarship supports Filipino students who show strong academic performance, leadership, community involvement, and financial need.

You may qualify if you are a first-year college student, current Grade 12 student, or Senior High School graduate not yet enrolled in college. You should also demonstrate financial need, participate in community service, and plan to take a course that contributes to Philippine development.

Before You Apply

Before applying for a foundation scholarship, identify which programs match your situation.

Make sure to:

• Confirm that 1st year college students are currently eligible.
• Check whether the scholarship is accepting new applicants.
• Review the latest application period and deadline.
• Check the academic and family income requirements.
• Confirm eligible courses and partner schools.
• Review employee, family, residency, or membership requirements.
• Check whether receiving another scholarship is allowed.
• Prepare the required school, income, identification, and supporting documents.
• Complete any required interviews, examinations, or screenings.
• Apply only through the official scholarship provider.

Scholarship requirements may change from one academic year to another.

Always check the latest official announcement before applying.

References

The information in this guide was verified using the official websites, scholarship portals/application pages, application guidelines, and announcements from the following foundations and scholarship providers:

• Charity First Foundation
• Security Bank Foundation
• Moirasia Foundation
• Gokongwei Brothers Foundation
• Cebuana Lhuillier Foundation
• GT Foundation
• Tzu Chi Foundation
• BPI Foundation
• PLDT-Smart Foundation
• Uplift Cares Global Movement Foundation
• Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development

Scholarship details may change without prior notice. Application schedules, eligibility requirements, benefits, available slots, partner schools, accepted courses, and documentary requirements are determined by each scholarship provider.

Always check the latest official announcement before applying.

Research Note: This guide was prepared and verified with the help of partners, volunteers, and the CRA team.

Please note that being included in this guide does not necessarily mean that a scholarship is currently accepting applications. Always visit the official scholarship page or verified announcement for the latest application period, requirements, eligible schools and courses, scholarship coverage, and application procedures.