Teacher Education Scholarship Program 2026 Application Guide

Are you looking for a scholarship to help you pursue a teacher education degree? 

The Teacher Education Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to qualified Filipino students who aspire to become future educators.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the Teacher Education Scholarship Program, including its qualifications, requirements, benefits, priority courses, partner schools, application deadline, how to apply, and other important information.

Qualifications:

Before applying for the Teacher Education Scholarship Program, applicants must first ensure that they meet the program’s eligibility requirements. The scholarship is open to qualified individuals who satisfy the academic, citizenship, and enrollment criteria established by the Teacher Education Council (TEC). The qualifications are listed below: 

• Must be a Filipino citizen.
• For basic education applicants: Must be a graduate or graduating Grade 12 student or an Alternative Learning System (ALS) Senior High School (SHS) learner from any public or private school.
• For tertiary-level applicants:
  • Must be an incoming second-year student at the latest in a teacher education program. This also includes students shifting from non-teacher education programs and transferees from other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
  • Must have no failed grades in any courses included in the curriculum of the teacher education program being applied for.
• Must possess good moral character, supported by a valid Certificate of Good Moral Character issued by the school.
• Must not already hold a bachelor’s degree.
• Must not have previously applied for the Teacher Education Scholarship Program (TESP).
• Must not be receiving any other government scholarship or educational incentive, except for the Free Higher Education (FHE) benefit under Republic Act No. 10931.
• Must be enrolled in a teacher education program offered by a Teacher Education Center of Excellence (COE).
• Must satisfy the admission, shifting, and retention requirements of the Teacher Education Center of Excellence (COE).
• Applicants who received an Academic Excellence Award – Highest Honor during the most recent school year are exempted from taking the TESP examination.

Requirements:

To apply for the Teacher Education Scholarship Program, applicants must prepare and submit all the required documents to verify their eligibility for the scholarship. Ensure that each requirement is complete and accurate to avoid delays during the evaluation process. The required documents are listed below: 

• Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Birth Certificate.
• Marriage Certificate (if applicable), for female applicants who changed their surname after marriage.
• Notarized Affidavit of Guardianship, for applicants under the care of a legal guardian.
• Certificate of Good Moral Character issued by the applicant’s school for the TESP application.
• For Basic Education Applicants:
  • Certificate of Enrollment;
  • Senior High School (SHS) Diploma; or
  • Certificate of Graduation.
• Academic Excellence Award Certificate (if applicable), issued by the school for basic education applicants who graduated with Highest Honors (average grade of 98–100) during the most recent school year.
• Latest Certified True Copy of Grades issued for the TESP application (for tertiary-level applicants).

Additional Supporting Documents (If Applicable)

• Unserved or Underserved Area (UUA) Residency Certificate issued by the Local Government Unit (LGU) together with a Barangay Clearance.
• Certificate of Indigenous Peoples Membership (CIPM) issued by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP).
• Person with Disability (PWD) Identification Card.
• Solo Parent Identification Card.
• Underprivileged and Homeless Citizens Certification issued by the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) or the City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD/MSWD).

Note: Applicants should submit all required documents accurately and completely. Additional documentary requirements may be requested by the Teacher Education Council (TEC) or the implementing agency during the evaluation process.

Benefits: 

The Teacher Education Scholarship Program provides qualified scholars with various monetary benefits to help cover tuition, educational expenses, and other academic needs throughout their studies. Under Section 11 of Republic Act No. 11713, eligible scholars are entitled to the following financial assistance per academic year: 

Benefit	Amount	Description
Tuition Fees and Other School Fees	Public Teacher Education-COE: Covered under the Free Higher Education (FHE) ProgramPrivate Teacher Education-COE: Up to ₱127,000 per year	Grant released to Teacher Education Centers of Excellence (COEs) and equally divided per term based on the actual tuition and other school fees, up to the maximum allowable amount.
Allowance for Prescribed Books, Supplies, and Learning Materials	₱10,000 per year	Annual grant provided to help cover the cost of books, school supplies, and other learning materials.
Clothing or Uniform Allowance	₱2,000 per year	Annual grant to assist scholars with clothing or uniform expenses.
Dormitory or Boarding House Allowance	₱10,000 per year	Annual financial assistance for accommodation expenses.
Transportation Allowance	₱8,000 per year	Annual transportation assistance for scholars.
Education-Related Miscellaneous Subsistence or Living Allowance	₱50,000 per year (1st & 2nd Year) 60,000 per year (3rd & 4th Year)	Annual living allowance. Third- and fourth-year scholars receive an increased amount to support their teaching internship.
Thesis or Project Allowance	₱10,000	One-time grant released upon submission of proof of enrollment in the thesis or project course.
Research Presentation and/or Publication Allowance	₱30,000	One-time grant upon submission of proof that a research paper has been accepted for presentation or publication.
Licensure Examination Review Fee	₱10,000	One-time grant to help cover the cost of review classes for the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT).
Licensure Examination Fee	₱1,000	One-time grant released upon submission of the LEPT application.
Latin Honor Incentive	Cum Laude: ₱5,000Magna Cum Laude: ₱7,000Summa Cum Laude: ₱10,000	One-time cash incentive awarded after verification of the scholar’s academic achievement.

In addition to financial assistance, TESP scholars are also entitled to non-monetary benefits. Scholars will receive mentoring and guidance from their respective Teacher Education Centers of Excellence (Teacher Education-COEs) to support their academic, professional, and personal development throughout their teacher education journey.

The Teacher Education Council (TEC) may also provide other forms of assistance, which will be covered under separate guidelines issued by the Council. 

Priority Courses:

The Teacher Education Scholarship Program is intended for students pursuing undergraduate teacher education degree programs. 

The program gives priority to teacher education specializations that are identified by the Teacher Education Council (TEC) based on the country’s teacher workforce needs and demand analysis. 

These priority areas may be updated periodically by the Council to address shortages in the education sector. 

Note: The 2026 TESP Guidelines do not provide a specific list of priority courses. Instead, the Teacher Education Council determines the priority specializations through its annual teacher demand analysis. 

Partner School:

The Teacher Education Scholarship Program is available only to students enrolled in eligible Teacher Education Centers of Excellence (Teacher Education-COEs) recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and designated by the Teacher Education Council (TEC). 

Both public and private Teacher Education-COEs may participate in the scholarship program, provided they meet the standards and requirements set forth under Republic Act No. 11713 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

Note: The 2026 TESP Guidelines do not include an official list of participating schools. Applicants should wait for announcements from the Teacher Education Council regarding eligible Teacher Education Centers of Excellence (COEs).  

Application Deadline:

If you are planning to apply for the Teacher Education Scholarship Program, it is important to stay informed about the official application schedule. Below is the latest information regarding the program’s application deadline.

As of the latest Teacher Education Council (TEC) Circular No. 01, s. 2026, there is no fixed application deadline for the Teacher Education Scholarship Program. 

The official opening and closing dates of the application period will be announced separately by the Teacher Education Council (TEC) and the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) through their official channels. 

Therefore, interested applicants are encouraged to regularly check the official websites and social media pages of TEC and UniFAST for the latest announcements to ensure they do not miss important application schedules and updates.

How to Apply:

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for the Teacher Education Scholarship Program by following the application process set by the Teacher Education Council (TEC) and UniFAST. To guide you through the application, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

Step 1: Access the Application Form
Open the TEC Circular No. 01, s. 2026 – Implementation Guidelines for the Teacher Education Scholarship Program and go to pages 12 and 13 to access the official scholarship application form. Carefully read the instructions before filling out the form.

Step 2: Fill Out Your Personal Information
Enter your complete personal details, such as your full name, date of birth, address, contact number, and other required information.

Step 3: Provide Your Academic Information
Fill in your academic details, including your school, course, year level, and other educational information requested in the application form.

Step 4: Complete Your Family Background
Provide accurate information about your parents or guardian, family income, and other required family background details.

Step 5: Review the Declaration and Give Your Consent
Carefully read the declaration and consent statement. If all the information you provided is correct, agree to the terms and submit your application form.

About Teacher Education Scholarship Program:

The Teacher Education Scholarship Program is a government-funded financial assistance program that supports qualified Filipino students pursuing undergraduate teacher education degrees. 

Established under Republic Act No. 11713, the program aims to encourage more students to enter the teaching profession while helping address the country’s need for competent and highly qualified educators.

The scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible incoming first-year and continuing undergraduate students enrolled in recognized Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs). 

It is implemented by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) in coordination with the Teacher Education Council (TEC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

Through this program, deserving students receive support that helps reduce the cost of their education, allowing them to focus on completing their studies and preparing for a successful career in teaching.

Final Thoughts:

The Teacher Education Scholarship Program offers a valuable opportunity for aspiring educators to pursue quality teacher education with the support of government-funded financial assistance. 

By helping cover educational expenses, the program enables qualified students to focus on their academic and professional development while preparing for a meaningful career in teaching. 

If you meet the eligibility requirements, be sure to review the official guidelines, prepare all necessary documents, and submit your application before the deadline. 

Staying updated through official announcements from the Teacher Education Council, CHED, and UniFAST will help ensure that you do not miss important application schedules and program updates. 

If you’re interested in other scholarship opportunities, visit our Government Programs page for the latest updates and application guides. 

Reference:

1. Teacher Education Council. (2026). TEC Circular No. 01, s. 2026: Implementation guidelines for the Teacher Education Scholarship Program (TESP). https://tec.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/TEC-Circular-No.-01-s.-2026-IMPLEMENTATION-GUIDELINES-FOR-THE-TEACHER-EDUCATION-SCHOLARSHIP-PROGRAM-TESP.pdf 
2. Teacher Education Council. (n.d.). Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 11713. https://tec.gov.ph/irr-of-republic-act-11713/