SCHOLARSHIP programs for college students are still available because only one has been temporarily suspended, the Commission on Higher Education said.

CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III clarified that the merit scholarship for freshmen was stopped for lack of budget, affecting 5,000 slots.

Merit scholarship is for students who have high grades.

“Medyo naguluhan ‘yung pagkakalabas ng balita. Ang hindi lang po napondahan o kulang ang pondo na scholarship ng CHED ay ‘yung merit scholarship na ibinibigay based on grades,” De Vera said in a news briefing.

“Pataasan po sila ng grades para sa priority programs, kulang po kasi ang pondong ibinigay sa CHED kaya ang kaya lang naming pondohan ay ‘yung continuing scholars,” De Vera explained.

The merit program extends financial assistance covering tuition and other school fees.

He said there are various programs sponsored by CHED to assist students such as the Tertiary Education Subsidy, Tulong Dunong and grants for medical students.

New students who were supposed to avail of the merit scholarship may apply for other financial aids instead.