DepEd ESC and SHS Voucher Program: Requirements and How to Apply

What is Education Service Contracting (ESC)?

ESC is a Department of Education subsidy under DepEd Order No. 31, s. 2010, that pays part of the tuition for deserving public elementary graduates who enroll in a participating private junior high school (Grades 7 to 10).

• Entry point: Grade 7 only — you cannot join ESC partway through JHS
• Duration: a four-year funding commitment through Grade 10, with no annual re-application needed once granted
• Subsidy amount: varies by participating school, commonly in the ₱11,000 to ₱13,000 per year range
• Priority: typically given to public elementary school completers first; remaining slots may go to other applicants at the school’s discretion
• The subsidy is paid directly to the school, not to the student or family

How to apply for ESC

ESC is applied for through the private school itself, not through DepEd directly or a national portal. Each participating school announces its own ESC application period, typically around April for the upcoming school year, and provides its own application form. Contact the admissions or scholarship office of the private junior high school you plan to enroll in and ask specifically whether they participate in ESC and what their current window is.

What is the SHS Voucher Program (SHS VP)?

The SHS Voucher Program picks up where ESC leaves off. It is a subsidy for Grade 10 completers enrolling in Senior High School (Grades 11-12) at a non-DepEd school — meaning a private school, or a State/Local University or College that offers SHS. It exists under the legal basis of RA 10533, the Enhanced Basic Education Act (the K-12 law), and is jointly run by DepEd and the Private Education Assistance Committee (PEAC), which manages the actual application system on DepEd’s behalf.

Who is automatically qualified (no application needed)

• Category A: Grade 10 completers from public junior high schools, including public SUCs/LUCs
• Category B: Grade 10 completers from private JHS who were ESC grantees

If you fall in Category A or B, you do not need to apply. You are pre-identified in DepEd’s Learner Information System and simply present your Qualified Voucher Recipient status when enrolling.

Who must apply (Voucher Applicants)

• Category C: Grade 10 completers from private JHS who were not ESC grantees
• Category D: Grade 10 completers from an earlier school year (not earlier than 2016) who never previously enrolled in Grade 11
• Category E: Alternative Learning System (ALS) graduates awaiting their Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Test results
• Category F: Those who passed, or are awaiting results of, the Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) for Grade 10

Who is not eligible

• Students who graduated JHS in 2015 or earlier
• Incoming Grade 12 learners who were not part of the voucher program in Grade 11
• Non-Filipino citizens

Voucher value

The voucher amount varies by the school’s location, historically ranging from roughly ₱14,000 to ₱22,500 per year. It is not paid to the student as cash; DepEd pays it directly to the non-DepEd SHS where the student enrolls, effectively reducing the tuition bill.

How and when to apply

Voucher Applicants apply online through the Online Voucher Application Portal (OVAP) at ovap.peac.org.ph. The window typically opens around April and runs for several weeks into May or June, timed to the Grade 10-to-Grade 11 transition each year, though PEAC announces the exact dates annually. Required documents typically include a 2×2 ID photo and a parent’s or guardian’s income documentation; check the OVAP portal for the current full checklist before the window opens.

ESC and the SHS Voucher: how they connect

	ESC	SHS Voucher Program
Grade levels	7 to 10 (JHS)	11 to 12 (SHS)
Where you apply	Directly through the private school	Online via OVAP (if not automatically qualified)
If you were an ESC grantee	—	Automatically qualified, no application needed
ALS graduates	Not applicable	Eligible to apply once A&E Test results are in (Category E)

Other options if you don’t qualify for either

• Public JHS and SHS remain entirely free regardless of ESC/voucher status
• Check with your specific private school for its own institutional financial aid, separate from ESC
• For college-level government scholarships once you reach that stage, see the CHED Scholarship and Tertiary Education Subsidy guides

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for ESC in Grade 8 or later if I missed Grade 7?

No. ESC entry is only at Grade 7. If you missed it, you cannot join mid-way through JHS; look into your school’s own institutional aid instead.

Do I need to reapply for ESC every year?

No. Once granted in Grade 7, the subsidy continues automatically through Grade 10 as long as you remain enrolled, with no annual re-application.

I was an ESC grantee. Do I need to apply for the SHS Voucher separately?

No. ESC grantees are automatically qualified for the SHS Voucher (Category B) and do not need to submit a separate application.

Can ALS graduates get the SHS Voucher?

Yes. ALS graduates awaiting Accreditation and Equivalency Test results fall under Category E and may apply.

Is the voucher money given directly to my family?

No. It is paid by DepEd directly to the non-DepEd SHS where you enroll, reducing your tuition bill rather than being handed to you as cash.

Sources: DepEd Order No. 31, s. 2010; RA 10533 (Enhanced Basic Education Act); DepEd and PEAC public announcements on the SHS Voucher Program. Verified 25 August 2026. Confirm the current year’s exact application dates directly through your school (for ESC) or the OVAP portal (for the SHS Voucher), since PEAC sets new dates annually.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for the DepEd ESC and SHS Voucher Program if I already receive another scholarship or grant?

Most Philippine LGU and national scholarship programs prohibit double enrollment in two grants that cover the exact same expense (for example, two separate tuition subsidies). You can usually still receive non-overlapping benefits, such as a stipend from one program and a book allowance from another, but you must disclose any existing scholarship on your application. Ask the program office directly, since the rule on double compensation varies by ordinance or agency guideline.

What happens if I submit my application after the deadline?

Late applications are typically not accepted for that intake, since disbursement and budget allocation are tied to a fixed cycle. If you miss a cutoff, ask the issuing office whether a second batch, waitlist, or the following semester’s intake is open, and set a reminder well ahead of the next posted deadline.

Is the DepEd ESC and SHS Voucher Program renewable every semester or school year?

Renewal usually depends on maintaining a minimum grade requirement, staying enrolled full-time, and submitting updated documents (such as a new certificate of enrollment or grades) each period. Requirements for continuing grantees are generally lighter than for first-time applicants, but missing a renewal deadline can still forfeit the slot.

Where can I confirm the current schedule and requirements?

Because intake dates, income ceilings, and benefit amounts can change from year to year, always confirm the current cycle directly with the issuing office (the provincial or city government’s scholarship division, or the national agency named above) before preparing documents. Official Facebook pages and government websites are usually updated faster than third-party sources.

What should I do if my application is denied?

Ask the office in writing for the specific reason. Common causes are incomplete documents, exceeding the income cap, or missing the residency requirement. Many programs allow you to reapply in the next intake once the issue is corrected.