TES Scholarship Requirements 2026: Tertiary Education Subsidy Guide

ertiary Education Subsidy 2026: Benefits, Requirements and How to Apply

The Tertiary Education Subsidy, commonly called TES, is a government grant-in-aid program for eligible Filipino undergraduate students. It is administered by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education, or UniFAST, under Republic Act No. 10931.

For Academic Year 2026–2027, qualified priority grantees may receive ₱20,000 per academic year in a State University or College or CHED-recognized Local University or College, or ₱27,000 per academic year in a participating private higher education institution. Other benefit levels apply to qualified solo-parent dependents, members of Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous Peoples, students with disabilities, licensure-exam takers and students at risk of dropping out.

The amount is not automatically the same for every applicant. It depends on the grantee’s priority category, type of school and any additional benefit for which the grantee qualifies. Applications are also subject to validation, prioritization and available government funds.

Important 2026 update: The revised TES rules take effect in the first semester of AY 2026–2027. Older articles that advertise a standard ₱60,000 TES grant are no longer accurate for the current program.

Tertiary Education Subsidy at a Glance

Program detail	Current information
Official name	Tertiary Education Subsidy
Abbreviation	TES
Program type	Government grant-in-aid, not a loan
Legal basis	Republic Act No. 10931
Administrator	CHED-UniFAST
Eligible education level	First undergraduate post-secondary program
Covered institutions	Participating SUCs, CHED-recognized LUCs and private HEIs
Standard Section 3(1) benefit in SUCs/LUCs	₱10,000 per semester or ₱20,000 per academic year
Standard Section 3(1) benefit in private HEIs	₱13,500 per semester or ₱27,000 per academic year
Application route	Through the student’s higher education institution
National deadline	None; the schedule follows each participating school’s enrollment period and official call

Official information is available on the UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy page and in the 2026 Revised TES Guidelines.

What Is the Tertiary Education Subsidy?

TES helps pay all or part of the cost of tertiary education for priority students enrolled in participating public and private higher education institutions. It was established under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, also known as Republic Act No. 10931.

People often search for the “TES scholarship,” but TES is more accurately described as a grant-in-aid. It is not a traditional merit scholarship, and the 2026 guidelines do not set a nationwide grade average, require an application essay or request recommendation letters. Students must instead remain enrolled and satisfy their school’s admission and retention rules.

TES is also different from Free Higher Education. Eligible students in SUCs and CHED-recognized LUCs may already receive free tuition and other school fees under RA 10931. TES is a separate subsidy intended to help priority students with the broader cost of attending college.

How Much Is the TES Grant in 2026?

The official amount depends on the student’s priority group and institution.

Qualified TES category	Per semester	Per academic year	Important condition
Section 3(1) priority grantee in an SUC or CHED-recognized LUC	₱10,000	₱20,000	Subject to validation and available funds
Section 3(1) priority grantee in a private HEI	₱13,500	₱27,000	Subject to validation and available funds
Other qualified solo-parent dependent under Section 3(2.1)	₱5,000	₱10,000	Ranked by household per-capita income
Other qualified ICC/IP applicant under Section 3(2.2)	₱5,000	₱10,000	Ranked by household per-capita income
TES-3A for a grantee with a disability	Additional ₱5,000	Additional ₱10,000	Valid PWD documentation is required
TES-3B for a qualified licensure-exam taker	Not applicable	Up to ₱8,000 once	Reimbursement based on actual eligible expenses
Qualified student at risk of dropping out, or SARDO	Not applicable	Additional ₱10,000 once	Subject to HEI evaluation and separate implementation rules

The 2026 guidelines also provide for TES support for students enrolled in a private HEI in a city or municipality with no SUC or LUC, known as TES-PNSL. The UniFAST Board will determine that amount, and separate implementation guidelines are expected. Do not assume that every PNSL applicant automatically receives ₱27,000.

Who belongs to the Section 3(1) priority group?

The first priority covers enrolled students whose households appear in the most updated Listahanan. If DSWD officially discontinues Listahanan, the revised rules provide for use of the certified Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps list, including qualified solo-parent dependents, members of Indigenous Peoples communities and persons with disabilities. Applicants are ranked according to household per-capita income as determined by DSWD.

What changed for solo-parent dependents and ICC/IP students?

For AY 2026–2027, the revised guidelines add a second priority level for eligible students who are not covered by the first category:

Children or dependents of solo parents who have active status and are reflected in the official DSWD registry; and
Students who belong to households officially recognized as Indigenous Cultural Communities or Indigenous Peoples by the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples.

Qualified grantees in these categories may receive ₱5,000 per semester or ₱10,000 per academic year, subject to ranking by household per-capita income and the availability of funds.

TES Scholarship Requirements: Quick Checklist

Searching for “TES scholarship requirements”? Here is the short version before the full breakdown below. To qualify for the Tertiary Education Subsidy, you generally need to:

Be a Filipino citizen enrolled in an eligible undergraduate or eligible program at a CHED-recognized SUC, LUC, or private HEI participating in TES
Not already be receiving a separate full scholarship or subsidy that duplicates TES benefits for the same expense
Fall within the priority categories described below (Section 3(1) priority grantees, solo-parent dependents, ICC/IP applicants, students with disabilities, licensure-exam takers, or students at risk of dropping out) when slots are limited
Submit the applicant information your school requests once your school’s official TES announcement is released, since applications are coursed through your school, not submitted directly to UniFAST

The detailed eligibility rules, income considerations, and category-by-category benefit amounts are covered in full below.

Who Can Apply for TES in 2026?

Use this quick eligibility checklist before asking your school to include you in its application list.

You are a Filipino citizen.
You are enrolled in a first undergraduate post-secondary program.
Your school and program are included in the CHED registry and participate in TES.
You meet your school’s admission and retention requirements.
You have not already completed a bachelor’s degree or comparable undergraduate degree.
You are still within the standard duration of your degree, plus the permitted one-year grace period.
You are not receiving another continuing national government-funded scholarship or student financial assistance program that conflicts with TES.
You submit genuine and accurate information.

Students may check whether their school participates through the official list of RA 10931 participating higher education institutions. Confirmation from the school’s scholarship office, Office of Student Affairs or designated UniFAST coordinator is still recommended because participation and application calls may be campus-specific.

Who receives priority for new TES slots?

Meeting the basic conditions does not guarantee a slot. The 2026 rules prioritize applicants in this order, subject to funding:

Qualified students in households included in the latest Listahanan, or the certified DSWD list used in its place; then
Other qualified dependents of solo parents and qualified ICC/IP applicants, ranked according to household per-capita income.

An application is not an automatic approval. UniFAST cross-matches applicants, applies the priority rules, validates documents and awards benefits only when funds and slots are available.

Who Is Not Eligible for TES?

The 2026 revised guidelines identify the following grounds for ineligibility for new applicants:

Foreign citizens;
People who are not currently students;
Students enrolled in an institution or program not included in the CHED Registry of Programs and Institutions;
Students already taking a second undergraduate post-secondary program;
Current beneficiaries of the Tulong Dunong Program, CHED Scholarship Programs or another national government-funded Student Financial Assistance Program;
Applicants who submit false, altered or otherwise spurious documents.

One-time assistance such as DSWD Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation and CHED Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition is treated as an exception under the revised guidelines.

Is There a ₱400,000 TES Income Limit?

The 2026 TES guidelines do not state one nationwide ₱400,000 household-income ceiling for TES. Instead, they identify priority categories and rank applicants using household per-capita income determined or certified by the appropriate government agencies.

The ₱400,000 combined parental or guardian gross-income limit applies to the Tulong Dunong Program, a different UniFAST subsidy. Mixing the two rules can cause qualified students to misunderstand their options. Read our separate Tulong Dunong Program guide for its current income rule and ₱7,500-per-semester benefit.

How to Apply for the Tertiary Education Subsidy

There is no single nationwide TES application date or general student portal through which every applicant applies directly. Under the 2026 process, the higher education institution collects applicant information and uploads its enrolled-student applicant list through the HEI Portal.

Step 1: Confirm that your school and program are eligible

Check the official participating-HEI list, then ask your campus scholarship office or UniFAST coordinator whether it will accept new TES applicants for AY 2026–2027. A school may participate in RA 10931 while a particular campus or program still needs confirmation.

Step 2: Wait for your school’s official TES announcement

UniFAST issues a call for applications before the first semester of each academic year. Each school normally schedules TES submission alongside its enrollment period. Follow the school’s official website, verified social pages and on-campus scholarship announcements.

Step 3: Give the school the requested applicant information

The school submits its Annex 1 enrolled-student applicant list to UniFAST. Complete the school’s TES form or data sheet accurately if one is provided. Make sure your full name, birth information, learner details and enrollment record agree with your official documents.

Step 4: Wait for eligibility cross-matching

UniFAST checks for duplicate applications across the country and duplication within existing TES records. It then matches eligible applicants against the 2026 priority criteria.

Step 5: Check whether you are a qualified applicant

The results of name-matching are released to the school through the HEI and Regional Coordinator portals. Ask your scholarship or student-affairs office for the official result; do not rely only on an unverified social-media list.

Step 6: Complete validation requirements

If you appear on the qualified-applicant list, the school submits the required enrollment and billing documents to its CHED Regional Office. UniFAST Regional Coordinators validate the information before a final Master List is prepared.

Step 7: Wait for the Master List and fund release

Only grantees included in the official TES Master List are eligible for payment. Being included in an initial applicant list or qualified-applicant list does not yet mean that money has been released.

TES Requirements for AY 2026–2027

The documents vary depending on whether the student is a new qualified applicant, a continuing grantee, a returning grantee, a transferee or an applicant for an additional benefit.

For the initial application

The higher education institution submits the official Annex 1 enrolled-student applicant list through the UniFAST portal. The school may ask students to complete an internal data form so it can prepare this list.

For new qualified applicants

The school normally submits the following to the CHED Regional Office:

Annex 2 Forms 1, 2 and 3;
Notarized Registrar’s Certificate; and
Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrollment in PDF format.

If a school fails to submit a qualified applicant’s required documents, the applicant may submit these directly to the appropriate CHED Regional Office:

Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Enrollment; and
Student ID with specimen signature, or another government-issued ID with specimen signature.

A qualified applicant claiming TES-3A must also provide a PWD ID issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office of the student’s city or municipality.

CHEDRO may request further proof when necessary to verify the authenticity of a document. Follow the specific written checklist from your school or CHEDRO rather than uploading extra personal documents to an unofficial form.

For continuing, returning and transferee grantees

Continuing grantees are generally verified using the school’s certified Enrollment List or the student’s current Certificate of Registration or Enrollment.

A returning grantee after one academic term of leave must provide the current COR or COE and the Leave of Absence previously filed with the school.
A transferee generally provides the previous semester’s COR or COE and the current semester’s COR or COE.
Certain PNSL transferees whose grants began before AY 2026–2027 may also need a Certificate of Residency.

When Is the TES Application Deadline?

There is no single national student deadline for all TES applications. UniFAST sends the application call before the first semester, while each participating school sets its submission schedule around its enrollment period.

The practical deadline is therefore the date announced by your own campus. Contact the school as soon as enrollment opens. A date posted by another university does not apply automatically to your institution.

How to Check Your TES Application Status

Use this order to avoid misinformation:

Ask your school’s scholarship office, Office of Student Affairs or UniFAST coordinator whether your name was uploaded in Annex 1.
Ask whether you passed name-matching and appear on the qualified-applicant list.
Ask whether your documents were validated and your name appears in the final TES Master List.
If you are in the Master List, ask whether CHEDRO has released funds and which payment method will be used.
If the school cannot resolve a documented problem, use the official UniFAST Regional Offices Directory to contact the correct CHED Regional Office.

There is no universal public results page that reliably shows every student’s live TES status. Avoid websites that ask for a password, one-time PIN, payment or sensitive financial information merely to “check” a result.

How Are TES Benefits Paid?

The revised guidelines prioritize these disbursement methods:

Direct credit to the grantee’s account through LDDAP-ADA;
Check payment; or
Payment through the higher education institution when the first two methods are not applicable.

Once a CHED Regional Office or school receives the TES funds for distribution, it must disburse the benefits to students within 15 working days. If payment is routed through the school and a grantee does not claim it within 90 calendar days, the amount must be returned to CHEDRO for liquidation.

Payment timing still depends on completion of validation, inclusion in the Master List, budget release, billing and fund transfer. A delay does not by itself mean that an applicant was rejected.

How Long Can a Student Receive TES?

The eligibility period begins in the academic year when the student’s TES award number is issued. It generally covers the standard duration of the original degree program plus a one-year grace period.

A properly filed Leave of Absence pauses the grant for that term, and no benefit is released during the leave. Students who shift or transfer should note that moving to a longer program does not extend the TES period beyond the duration of the original program plus the grace year.

Why Can a Continuing TES Grant Be Terminated?

A continuing grantee may lose eligibility for reasons that include:

Failing to enroll for one academic term without an approved Leave of Absence;
Failing to enroll for at least two academic terms within an academic year;
Being suspended for one academic term or more;
Being expelled;
Failing the school’s retention requirements;
Not completing the degree within the prescribed period plus one year; or
Submitting false documents.

If health, family or financial circumstances require you to stop temporarily, file an official Leave of Absence with your institution rather than simply not enrolling.

Can TES Be Combined With Another Scholarship?

TES generally cannot be held at the same time as the Tulong Dunong Program, a CHED Scholarship Program or another continuing national government-funded student financial assistance program. The 2026 guidelines allow an exception for certain one-time assistance, including AICS and SMART.

Private scholarships, local-government assistance and school-based discounts may follow different rules. Disclose every benefit to your school and ask the UniFAST coordinator for a written determination before accepting overlapping aid.

If you have strong grades and are still choosing between programs, compare TES with the CHED Merit Scholarship Program. Do not submit conflicting government applications without first understanding the rules.

TES vs. Tulong Dunong Program

Feature	Tertiary Education Subsidy	Tulong Dunong Program
Type	Grant-in-aid under RA 10931	Subsidy under the TES program
Main selection basis	2026 priority categories and household per-capita income ranking	Financial need and stated household gross-income limit
Standard benefit	Varies by TES priority category and school type	₱7,500 per regular semester
Application route	Through participating HEI	Through participating HEI
Can a student receive both?	No	No

How to Avoid TES Scams

Apply through your enrolled institution and its authorized UniFAST coordinator.
Confirm links on the official UniFAST or CHED website before entering personal information.
Never pay an “approval,” “slot reservation” or “release” fee.
Do not give anyone your bank password, card PIN or one-time password.
Treat Facebook posts and group-chat lists as notices only until your school confirms the result.
Keep copies or screenshots of forms and documents you formally submit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tertiary Education Subsidy still available in 2026?

Yes. UniFAST issued revised TES guidelines for AY 2026–2027, effective from the first semester. New grants remain subject to prioritization, validation and the availability of funds.

How much is the Tertiary Education Subsidy in 2026?

Qualified Section 3(1) grantees receive ₱20,000 per academic year in SUCs or CHED-recognized LUCs and ₱27,000 per academic year in private HEIs. Qualified solo-parent dependents and ICC/IP grantees under Section 3(2) receive ₱10,000 per academic year. Additional benefits may apply to PWDs, licensure-exam takers and qualified students at risk of dropping out.

Is TES the same as a CHED scholarship?

No. TES is a government grant-in-aid administered by UniFAST under CHED. It is commonly called a scholarship online, but its current selection rules focus on eligibility, priority categories, household per-capita income and available funds rather than a national merit score.

Do I need a high GWA to apply for TES?

The 2026 TES guidelines do not set one national GWA cutoff. You must meet the admission and retention rules of your school.

Can an incoming first-year college student apply?

Yes, if the student is enrolled in an eligible first undergraduate program at a participating institution and the school is accepting new TES applicants. The student must still pass prioritization and validation.

Can a student in a private college receive TES?

Yes. Participating private HEIs are covered. Qualified Section 3(1) grantees in private HEIs may receive ₱13,500 per semester or ₱27,000 per academic year.

Is there an online TES application form for all students?

No single public form is used by every student nationwide. The school gathers applicant information and uploads its list through the HEI Portal. Follow the process announced by your institution.

Can a 4Ps beneficiary apply for TES?

Yes. Under the 2026 priority rules, the certified 4Ps list may be used if DSWD officially discontinues Listahanan. Selection still depends on validation, income ranking and available funds.

Can I receive TES and TDP together?

No. A current Tulong Dunong Program beneficiary is ineligible for TES under the revised guidelines.

How will I know whether I am officially approved?

Ask your school whether your name appears in the final TES Master List. Inclusion in an applicant list or preliminary qualified list is not the same as final approval for payment.

Final Reminder

The fastest and safest way to apply for the Tertiary Education Subsidy is to contact your own school’s scholarship or student-affairs office during enrollment. Confirm that your institution and program participate, submit only the documents requested through official channels and keep checking until the school can tell you whether you are on the final Master List.

This independent guide summarizes government information and is not affiliated with CHED or UniFAST. Program amounts, application calls and fund releases may change. Always verify time-sensitive details through the official UniFAST TES page, the 2026 Revised TES Guidelines and your institution.