CP-GIFTS Scholarship: Cebu Province Provincial Scholarship Guide

What Is the CP-GIFTS Scholarship?

The Cebu Province-Grants Intended for Tertiary Students (CP-GIFTS) is the Cebu Provincial Government’s unified college scholarship program. It consolidated the province’s older, separately-run grants (including the Cebu Tertiary Education Assistance Program) into a single set of rules, funded by a provincial ordinance and administered through the Provincial School Board.

It is one of the largest provincial scholarship programs in the Philippines by slot count — the province opened 5,900 slots for School Year 2026–2027 across the offices of the Governor, the Vice Governor, and the members of the Provincial Board, backed by an allocation of at least ₱59 million per semester.

How Much Is the CP-GIFTS Grant?

Item	Amount
Financial assistance per semester	₱10,000
Approximate value per academic year	₱20,000
Duration	Valid for the full length of your course, as long as you stay compliant

CP-GIFTS Eligibility Requirements

• Incoming first-year college student
• General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 85% in senior high school
• Resident of Cebu province for at least one year before applying
• Combined annual income of parents or guardians not exceeding ₱200,000
• Certificate of good moral character
• Passed the entrance examination and admission requirements of your chosen school
• Not receiving any other scholarship or subsidy that provides a living allowance — from government, private institutions, or individuals
• Enrolled in a four-year program at a State University or College (SUC), Local University or College (LUC), or other public higher education institution

Documents to Prepare

• Certified true copy of your senior high school report card for the first and second semesters, showing at least an 85% GWA
• Certificate of Good Moral Character signed by the school principal and endorsed by the district supervisor
• Income Tax Return of your parents or guardians — or a certificate of tax exemption issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue
• Proof of residency in Cebu province
• Proof of admission or enrolment at your chosen public higher education institution

The Provincial Government has warned that falsification or misrepresentation in any submitted document can disqualify an applicant outright.

How to Apply for CP-GIFTS

1. Identify the slot you are applying under. Slots are allocated across the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Vice Governor, and individual Provincial Board members. Students from anywhere in Cebu province may qualify under the Governor’s and Vice Governor’s allocations; district slots are allocated to a board member’s own constituents.
2. Apply online through your district’s Provincial Board member. The Provincial School Board has specifically recommended the online route for students from island municipalities such as Bantayan and Camotes, rather than routing through their LGU.
3. Or submit in person at the Receiving Office, Capitol Executive Building, Cebu Provincial Capitol.
4. Apply early. Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and unused slots from one school year are not carried over to the next.

How to Keep Your CP-GIFTS Scholarship

• Maintain an average grade of at least 85%, with no failing grade in any subject
• Carry a regular or full academic load every semester
• Render a total of 160 hours of community work or return service over the duration of the program — this can include tree planting, medical missions, clean-up drives, and other school- or government-sponsored activities

What causes automatic forfeiture

Scholars lose their benefits automatically if they shift courses, change majors, transfer schools, stop studying, or become a beneficiary of another subsidy that provides a living allowance.

CP-GIFTS vs. National Scholarships

CP-GIFTS is a provincial grant, so it stacks differently from national programs. Because the rules bar you from holding another subsidy that pays a living allowance, check carefully before applying alongside a national program — see our guides to the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and DOST-SEI scholarships to compare.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a CP-GIFTS scholar receive?

₱10,000 per semester, or roughly ₱20,000 per academic year, for the duration of the student’s course provided all maintenance requirements are met.

What GWA do I need for CP-GIFTS?

At least 85% in senior high school to qualify, and an average of at least 85% with no failing grade to keep the scholarship each semester.

Can I attend a private university as a CP-GIFTS scholar?

No. The program requires enrolment in a four-year program at a State University or College, Local University or College, or other public higher education institution.

What is the income limit for CP-GIFTS?

The combined annual income of your parents or guardians must not exceed ₱200,000.

Is there really community service involved?

Yes. Scholars must render 160 hours of community work or return service across the whole program — not per semester — through activities such as tree planting, medical missions, and clean-up drives.

Can I apply if I already started college?

The main annual intake is for incoming first-year students. The province has, in some cycles, opened remaining slots to students already in their first year, so it is worth checking the current cycle’s rules with the Provincial School Board.

Contact Information

Office: Provincial School Board, Cebu Provincial Government
Walk-in submissions: Receiving Office, Capitol Executive Building, Cebu Provincial Capitol
Official site: cebu.gov.ph

Sources: Province of Cebu official website (cebu.gov.ph) and Cebu Provincial School Board announcements, verified September 2026. Slot counts, budgets, and application windows change each cycle — confirm the current schedule with the Provincial School Board or your district’s Provincial Board member before applying.