THE SENATE has approved on third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2410, or the Presidential Merit Scholarship Program Act, which seeks to institutionalize the government’s merit scholarship program and provide sustained financial assistance to deserving Filipino students pursuing tertiary education.

The bill aims to transform the existing Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP) into a permanent national scholarship framework for academically outstanding but underprivileged Filipino youth.

Senator Joel Villanueva, the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would ensure that educational support becomes a continuing commitment of the government.

He said the proposal would cover essential educational expenses, provide periodic adjustments in benefits to keep pace with inflation, and ensure that qualified scholars consistently receive the assistance promised to them.

Under the bill, scholars may receive tuition subsidies, living and transportation stipends, book and internet connectivity allowances, educational assistance, and funding for internships, thesis and research requirements, and board examinations.

Senior High School graduates from both public and private schools may apply, provided they are not receiving equivalent scholarship benefits from another national government scholarship program.

For the higher education track, applicants must belong to the top one percent of their graduating class or have a general weighted average of at least 95 percent. Those applying for the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Diploma track must have a GWA of 85 percent or higher.

The scholarship will prioritize degree programs considered critical to national development, including science, technology, engineering, mathematics, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, environmental science, health, information technology, artificial intelligence, computing, data science, research, advanced manufacturing, and the semiconductor industry.

The measure also requires scholars to render return service after graduation, encouraging them to use their knowledge and skills to address national priorities such as rural development, literacy, and public infrastructure.