Kabugwason-Paglaum Scholarship: South Cotabato Provincial Program Guide

What Is the Kabugwason-Paglaum Scholarship Program?

The Kabugwason-Paglaum Scholarship and Grant-in-Aid Program (KPSGIAP) is the Provincial Government of South Cotabato’s flagship education initiative, built around the province’s “Free Education for All” vision. It funds three separate tracks: an undergraduate degree scholarship, a postgraduate scholarship for law and medicine, and a grant-in-aid program for socially disadvantaged students.

1. Degree Courses Scholarship (Undergraduate)

Covers tuition, miscellaneous fees, a book allowance, and a monthly stipend.

School type	Amount per semester
State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)	₱35,000
Private colleges and universities	₱42,000

Eligibility

• General Weighted Average (GWA) of 85% or higher
• Annual family income not exceeding ₱500,000
• Enrolled in a priority field: Engineering, Education, Agriculture, Accountancy, Nursing, Social Work, Community Development, or Public Safety

2. Postgraduate Scholarships

Program	Amount per semester
Juris Doctor (JD)	Up to ₱35,000
Doctor of Medicine (MD)	Up to ₱45,000
Other Master’s/Doctorate programs	Up to ₱30,000 (public school teachers and government employees only)

Coverage includes matriculation fees, a book allowance, and a monthly stipend. MD applicants must submit their NMAT result as part of the application.

3. Grant-in-Aid Program

A separate track offering up to ₱20,000 per semester (including a ₱5,000 monthly stipend) for economically or socially disadvantaged students, including Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities (PWDs), Muslim students, solo parents, and students who have brought honor to the province.

Who Can Apply (General Requirements)

• Bona fide South Cotabato resident for at least one year in your barangay
• Good moral character, with no pending or resolved disciplinary, administrative, civil, or criminal case
• Not currently receiving another scholarship grant (academic honors and school-based scholarships are generally exempt from this rule)

Documents to Prepare

• Proof of residency (at least one year in your barangay)
• Academic records (transcript or report card showing your GWA)
• Program-specific certifications (for example, your NMAT result if applying for the MD track)

The province’s own guidance stresses submitting documents that are complete, accurate, and formatted exactly as the current application cycle specifies — incomplete submissions are a common reason applications stall.

Contact Information

Office: Kabugwason-Paglaum Scholarship and Grant-in-Aid Program (KPSGIAP), Provincial Government of South Cotabato
Official site: southcotabato.gov.ph

South Cotabato vs. Cotabato Province: Don’t Mix Them Up

South Cotabato (capital: Koronadal City, home to General Santos City) is a separate province from Cotabato Province (capital: Kidapawan City) in the SOCCSKSARGEN region. Each runs its own distinct scholarship program — South Cotabato’s KPSGIAP is not the same as Iskolar ng Cotabato, so make sure you’re applying to the correct province’s office.

Which Track Fits You?

Your situation	Track
Undergraduate student in a priority course, GWA 85%+	Degree Courses Scholarship
Law student	Postgraduate – Juris Doctor
Medical student (with NMAT result)	Postgraduate – Doctor of Medicine
Public school teacher or government employee pursuing a Master’s/Doctorate	Postgraduate – Other programs
IP, PWD, Muslim, solo parent, or economically disadvantaged student	Grant-in-Aid Program

Frequently Asked Questions

What GWA do I need for the undergraduate scholarship?

An 85% GWA or higher, combined with an annual family income not exceeding ₱500,000 and enrollment in one of the program’s priority courses.

Can I apply if I already have another scholarship?

Generally no, though the program exempts academic-honors awards and school-based scholarships from this rule. Confirm your specific case with the KPSGIAP office.

Is the Grant-in-Aid Program the same as the Degree Courses Scholarship?

No. The Grant-in-Aid Program is a separate, smaller-value track (up to ₱20,000/semester) specifically for IP, PWD, Muslim, solo-parent, and other socially disadvantaged applicants, while the Degree Courses Scholarship is merit-and-income based with a higher award value.

Do I need to be a long-time resident of South Cotabato?

Yes. You must be a bona fide resident of your barangay in South Cotabato for at least one year.

Source: Provincial Government of South Cotabato official website (southcotabato.gov.ph). Verified September 2026. Confirm the current cycle’s exact deadline and submission process directly with the KPSGIAP office before applying.