Davao del Sur’s scholarship setup works differently from most provinces, and understanding the difference is what gets your application accepted rather than bounced.
The province does not run a large standalone provincial fund the way Cebu or Negros Occidental does. Instead, it operates as the local filing point for two national programs — CHED’s student financial assistance and TESDA’s skills training — coordinated through the congressional district office. Everything is submitted at one place: Room 6, Provincial Capitol, Matti, Digos City.
The Two Tracks
| CHED Scholar | TESDA Scholar | |
|---|---|---|
| For | College students in degree programs | Out-of-school youth taking vocational courses |
| Award | ₱6,000 per qualified student | Free short-term skills training |
| Filing burden | Full document set | Biodata only |
| Where to file | Room 6, Provincial Capitol, Matti, Digos City | Room 6, Provincial Capitol, Matti, Digos City |
Track 1: The CHED Scholar Program
Offered through the congressional district office together with the Commission on Higher Education, this track is aimed at Davao del Sur students who are academically capable and motivated but face significant financial need, so they can attend recognised universities in the country.
Qualified students receive ₱6,000. The application runs on the standard CHED StuFAPs application form, which is the same form used for CHED’s Student Financial Assistance Programs nationally.
Exact requirements
- Biodata with 2×2 picture
- CHED StuFAPs application form, completed
- Certificate of good moral character
- Recent grades
- Barangay certificate of residency — this must state the number of children in the family
- Barangay certificate of indigency, or an income tax return from the BIR, or a BIR certificate of exemption — this must state the total annual income of your parents
Two details applicants get wrong every cycle. The barangay residency certificate must state the number of children in the family, and the indigency certificate or ITR must state your parents’ total annual income. A generic certificate that omits these figures does not satisfy the requirement. Tell your barangay secretary exactly what needs to appear on it before they issue it.
The province states plainly that all requirements must be submitted completely at Room 6. Partial submissions are not held pending.
Track 2: The TESDA Scholar Program (STEP)
The district office also partners with TESDA on a track aimed primarily at out-of-school youth entering vocational courses.
The vehicle is the Special Training for Employment Program (STEP) — a community-based training program designed around the specific skills needs of local communities. Its purpose is employment: entrepreneurial, self-employment, and service-oriented work. Courses are generally short-term or modular, built on the Training Regulations that TESDA promulgates.
Training is delivered by both public and private tech-voc providers, though mostly by local government training centres and TESDA Technology Institutions.
How to apply for the TESDA track
Simply: submit a biodata at Room 6, Provincial Capitol, Matti, Digos City. There is no lengthy document set. For an out-of-school youth without transcripts or an ITR on hand, this is by far the lower barrier of the two tracks.
Which Track Should You Choose?
- Currently enrolled or enrolling in a degree program, with grades to show? CHED Scholar track.
- Out of school, or want employable skills quickly rather than a four-year degree? TESDA STEP track.
- Unsure whether you can produce an ITR or indigency certificate? Start with STEP while you assemble documents for the CHED track in the next cycle.
What Davao del Sur Students Should Also Apply For
Because the provincial award is a fixed ₱6,000, most Davao del Sur students will need to combine it with larger national programs:
- Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) — substantially larger annual coverage for students at state universities, local universities, and eligible private HEIs
- CHED Tulong Dunong — also routed through congressional district offices, so ask about both at the same window
- DOST-SEI undergraduate scholarships for science and engineering courses, which require passing a national exam
- Other government scholarships open to Mindanao students
Because the provincial CHED track runs on the StuFAPs form, ask at Room 6 which StuFAPs sub-programs you are simultaneously eligible for. Applicants frequently qualify for more than the one they came in for.
Other provincial scholarships
Davao del Sur Province vs. Davao City
These are separate jurisdictions. Davao City is a highly urbanized city with its own city-level scholarship programs and is not part of Davao del Sur province’s coverage. If you live in Davao City, apply through the city government rather than at the Provincial Capitol in Digos. Likewise, Davao Occidental was separated from Davao del Sur as its own province and runs its own arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Davao del Sur scholarship?
The CHED Scholar track provides ₱6,000 for every qualified student. The TESDA track provides free short-term skills training rather than a cash grant.
Where do I submit my application?
Room 6, Provincial Capitol, Matti, Digos City — for both the CHED and TESDA tracks.
What form do I use?
The CHED StuFAPs application form, which is the standard form for CHED’s Student Financial Assistance Programs. It is linked from the provincial government’s scholarship page.
Can out-of-school youth apply?
Yes. The TESDA STEP track is aimed primarily at out-of-school youth and requires only a biodata submission.
What does the barangay certificate need to say?
The residency certificate must state the number of children in the family, and the indigency certificate or income document must state your parents’ total annual income. Certificates missing these details do not meet the requirement.
Will an incomplete application be accepted?
No. The province requires all requirements to be submitted completely at Room 6.
Does this cover Davao City residents?
No. Davao City is a highly urbanized city with separate city-level programs, outside the provincial government’s coverage.
Is ₱6,000 enough to cover college?
On its own, no. It is best treated as one component alongside larger national programs such as the Tertiary Education Subsidy, which is why applicants should ask at the same window about every StuFAPs sub-program they qualify for.
Contact Information
Where to file: Room 6, Provincial Capitol, Matti, Digos City, Davao del Sur
Official site: davaodelsur.gov.ph
Sources: Provincial Government of Davao del Sur official website (davaodelsur.gov.ph) scholarship program page and the linked CHED StuFAPs application form. Verified September 2026. Award amounts, partner programs, and filing arrangements change between cycles and administrations — confirm current details at Room 6 of the Provincial Capitol before applying.
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