The Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), often known as CHED-TDP, is one of CHED’s many scholarship programs. This program aims to help eligible and qualified Filipino students. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) together granted this scholarship grant to help students with their educational expenses and tuition fees.
The purpose of this scholarship grant is to provide financial assistance to newly enrolled or prospective students in CHED-recognized programs at Private Higher Education Institutions (Private HEIs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) with a Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC).
A COPC certifies that the degree programs offered by SUCs/LUCs comply fully with the policies, regulations, standards, and guidelines set forth by the Commission on Higher Education to guarantee the quality of their existing degree programs. Grantees or student grantees are eligible for a grant of twelve thousand pesos (Php 12,000.00) per academic year or six thousand pesos (Php 6,000.00) per semester to assist with tertiary education expenses. This includes both school expenditures (tuition fees) and a living allowance.
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What is CHED Tulong Dunong Program?
Pursuant to the pertinent provisions and mandate of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) under Republic Act (RA) No. 7722, known as “Higher Education Act of 1994” and pursuant to Special Provision No. 5, Volume 1-B, CHED Budget of the Republic Act No. 10924 also known as the General Appropriations Act of FY 2017, the conditional implementation in the President’s Budget Action Message Fiscal Year 2017 on December 22, 2016, the Department of Budget and Management and the Commission on Higher Education jointly issued implementing guidelines to ensure that all existing programs are rationalized in accordance with the UniFAST Act given the grant of free tuition and tuition fee subsidy.
The CHED-TDP, or Tulong Dunong Program, is a scholarship program offered by CHED to support eligible and qualified Filipino students. Through a grant from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the program covers educational expenses and tuition fees. This program presents a significant advantage to Filipino students, particularly those who face financial challenges when pursuing college education. It offers a chance to obtain a degree at no cost or reduce financial difficulties.
Qualifications
The qualifications for the Tulong Dunong Program include the following:
- Must be a Filipino citizen.
- Parents or guardians must have a combined annual gross income that shall not exceed Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Pesos (Php 350,000.00).
- Applicants must be High School graduates or College students with earned units in CHED recognized degree/programs of Private Higher Education Institutions (Private HEIs), SUCs, or LUCs with COPC, with a passing General Weighted Average (GWA), or a passer of the Alternative Learning System (ALS), or a passer of the Philippine Educational Placement Test. (PEPT).
Requirements
The CHED Tulong Dunong Program has specific eligibility requirements that interested student applicants must meet. These include:
- High School Report Card: This is required for incoming freshmen students who are eligible for college.
- ALS Accreditation and Equivalency Certificate: ALS passers must provide a certified copy of this document.
- PEPT Certificate of Advancing to the Next Level: Philippine Educational Placement Test passers must provide a certified copy of this certificate.
- Certified True Copy of Grades: This is required for student applicants with earned units in college in CHED recognized Private HEIs and SUCs/LUCs with COPC. The document should contain the latest semester/term attended grades.
- Income Requirements: This varies depending on the circumstances of the applicant. For employed parents/guardians who are fixed income earners, they should provide the latest Income Tax Return (ITR) and a Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Form 2316. Unemployed parents/guardians should provide a Certificate of Tax Exemption from the BIR or a Certificate of Indigence from the Barangay or DSWD. Children of OFW and Seafarers must provide the latest copy of the contract or proof of income.
Important reminders for student grantees:
- They must first pass the HEI admission tests before applying for the CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship grant.
- Students must also enroll in a CHED-recognized degree/program at a private HEI, SUC, or LUC that offers COPC.
- Regardless of the passing grade for any subject, students must maintain a GWA of at least a passing grade.
- They must carry a regular load per term or semester as determined and approved by HEIs.
- Student grantees must only transfer to properly authorized HEIs or may shift to CHED-recognized degrees/programs of Private HEIs, SUCs, or LUCs with the written approval of CHEDRO to move to another school or change courses.
How to Apply for the Tulong Dunong Program
The CHED Tulong Dunong observes the following mechanics in the implementation of the program.
STEP 1: Go to the CHED Regional Office (CHEDRO) in your region or location and submit the CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship Application Form together with the other required documents. In any case, you will submit an online application to CHEDRO’s official website in your region, with all required documentation in PDF format. The attached documents will be cross-checked against the original documents.
STEP 2: After submitting an application, CHEDRO will review the documents and create a ranking list of qualified applicants and grants.
STEP 3: CHEDRO will send a Notice of Award (NOA) to qualified applicants, or they will notify the list of awardees through the HEIs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the common questions and answers about CHED’s Tulong Dunong Scholarship:
1. What is the CHED Tulong Dunong Program?
The CHED Tulong Dunong Program scholarship is a financial assistance program offered by the Philippines Commission on Higher Education (CHED). It aims to help financially challenged students in pursuing higher education by providing financial assistance for tuition, school fees, and a monthly allowance.
2. How to apply for the CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship?
Interested applicants may apply each academic year by submitting the necessary documents and going through the selection process. The application process and requirements change, so check with the CHED website for the most up-to-date information.
3. Who is eligible for the CHED-TDP scholarship?
The CHED-TDP scholarship is available to eligible and qualified Filipino students, whether they are high school graduates or college students who have earned units in CHED-recognized degree programs offered by Private Higher Education Institutions (Private HEIs), SUCs, or LUCs with COPC. It is also open to those who have passed the Alternative Learning System (ALS) or the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT).
4. What are the eligibility requirements for the CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship grant?
To be considered for the CHED Tulong Dunong Scholarship grant, applicants must fulfill certain eligibility criteria. They must be Filipino citizens, High School graduates or College students with earned units in CHED-recognized degree/programs of Private Higher Education Institutions (Private HEIs), SUCs, or LUCs with COPC, and have a passing General Weighted Average (GWA). Alternatively, they can be a passer of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) or the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT). Additionally, the annual gross income of their parents or guardians should not exceed three hundred fifty thousand pesos (Php 350,000.00).
5. What are CHED priority courses?
CHED priority courses are degree programs that are considered crucial to the country’s development and are in high demand. Examples of these courses include accounting, agriculture, education, engineering, and health sciences.
Summary
The CHED Tulong Dunong Program provides an excellent opportunity for financially disadvantaged students in the Philippines to continue their education. Eligible students receive assistance to cover tuition, school fees, and a monthly stipend. It is important to note that the requirements and application process may change, and applicants should stay informed by visiting the official CHED website or contacting them directly. By applying for this scholarship, students can receive the support they need to reach their academic objectives.
The program is valid for one academic year and may be renewed annually if the recipient meets the eligibility criteria and maintains the necessary academic standing. This scholarship program is extremely beneficial to Filipino students, especially those who cannot afford to go to college. That’s a great opportunity for Filipino students to complete their college degrees for free or to lessen their financial difficulty.