Scholarship in the Philippines

If you are a Filipino student and need help to pay for college, there are scholarships to apply for. Filipino scholarships are part of the ethnic group of Asian and/or Pacific Islander.

To apply, you may need to discuss your Filipino heritage in an essay. In fact, some providers ask if you speak a Filipino dialect like Tagalog. They also look for a record of community service activities.

In order to be eligible for a Filipino scholarship, you usually need to be a U.S. citizen or have a green card. Other criteria that scholarship providers may look at are grades, test scores, and financial need.

For example, the Pinay Aspiration Scholarship offers a $1,000 award to eligible Filipino college students. Eligible applicants must reside in the San Francisco Bay area. To apply, you must submit an essay, recommendation letter, transcript, personal statement and record of work experience and school activities.

However, there are scholarships for students who plan to major in a specific subject. Like business, public finance, nursing or even nutrition.

Additionally, CANFIT scholarships is another one. These are for California minority groups including Asian American and Pacific Islander students. Applicants must plan to study nutrition, physical education or culinary arts in California.

List of Scholarships in the Philippines

Google Scholarship Philippines

DOST Scholarship

CHED Scholarship

Filipino Nurses’ Organization Of Hawai’i Scholarship

Ascend Educational Fund Scholarships

Banatao Filipino American Education Fund Scholarship

Matt Fong Asian Americans In Public Finance Scholarship

Library Scholarship For Minority Students In Memory Of Edna Yelland

Pinay Aspire Scholarship

Hsiao Memorial Social Sciences Scholarship

Tony V. Grey Legacy Scholarship

AANAPISI Scholarship

APIA Scholarship

WHO OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR FILIPINO STUDENTS?

Scholarships for Filipino students are available from a few sources. Many are from individual colleges and universities. These are often for minority students or immigrant groups in general.

But others are from private donors. Ones who want to encourage Filipino students to earn a college degree.

For example, take the Philippine International Aid U.S. Scholarship Fund. It is only for Filipino students who come from a low-income family. Preferred applicants are active in the Filipino community.

There are also providers that may offer scholarship opportunities to state residents only. For example, take the OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates Youth Leadership Award. This $1000 award is for Asian American and Pacific Islander students in Missouri.

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER FILIPINO SCHOLARSHIPS?

Filipinos have a long history of immigrating to the United States. Today, the U.S. is home to the largest number of Filipinos abroad. According to the US Census, more than 1.9 million Filipinos lived in the U.S. This amounts to about 4% of the country’s 44 million immigrants.

But as immigrants, Filipinos are distinct. A recent study looked at Filipinos, native U.S. citizens and immigrants in general ages 25 and over. It came up with two key findings as related to education among Filipinos.

One is that Filipinos have much higher education rates compared to both groups. The other is that half of Filipino immigrants reported having at least a bachelor’s degree. This compared to about 32 percent of the U.S. born and 30 percent of all immigrants who reported for the survey.

Find University Scholarships and Student Aid in Philippines

Wondering how to get a college scholarship for your studies in Philippines? We provide an extensive list of scholarship opportunities for universities in Philippines, including the best national and international scholarships, fellowships, college and university grants, free scholarships, federal funding, and other forms of student financial aid.

You can apply for university scholarships in Philippines including funding for high school seniors, financial aid for college students, graduate school scholarships, postgraduate scholarships, and more, all available in our extensive scholarship database.

Find the right scholarship in Philippines, for a wide variety of academic degrees, including business and management scholarships, engineering scholarships, law school or medical school scholarships, as well as sports, arts, or music scholarships to help pay for your studies abroad.

Quite a number of scholarship opportunities are available to both indigenous and international students in Philippines. Though it seems there are more Filipino scholarships available to local students based on different eligibilities such as discipline, means, income or specific terms like affiliation with a particular association or type of high school or college. Scholarships in Philippines range from college through undergraduate to master’s degree.

The CIMB ASEAN yearly scholarship is open to international undergraduate students from countries in Southeast Asia; the scholarship provides funding, mentoring and even employment for its awardees. Henry Luce foundation funds the Luce Scholar Programs which allow international graduating seniors and students as well as professionals under 30 years to pursue education in Philippines. The scholarship covers housing, travel, stipend and language training for year-long programs. The University of Philippines also offers several scholarships to local and international students at bachelors, masters and PhD levels in collaboration with various organisations and foreign governments.

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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.

  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.

  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.

 

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