Are you a Filipino student in search of a scholarship that awards your intellectual ability? Then it’s safe to say that the universe is on your side today. Here’s a scholarship opportunity for you! The UNIFAST Scholarship Program has served as a beacon of hope for high-achieving and meritorious students.
Over the years, the UNIFAST scholarship has offered opportunities to Filipino students who wish to pursue higher education without financial limitations. This scholarship program is focused on providing financial assistance to students who demonstrate an excellent academic record and, of course, meet the eligibility criteria.
In this article, we will provide every single thing you need to know about the UNIFAST scholarship, ranging from the eligibility criteria, the application process, the documents required for this scholarship, and many more! Grab your favorite snack and read along.
What is UNIFAST Scholarship?
The Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST) scholarship is a government-funded initiative that is focused on providing financial support to Filipino students who exhibit a strong determination to pursue higher education.
With their steadfast commitment to education for all, the scholarship program is aimed at ensuring that exceptional students are not deprived of quality education as a result of their financial capabilities.
The UNIFAST scholarship covers various fields of study, such as engineering, medicine, social sciences, business, and many more.
Students who wish to further their higher education but are constrained by finances should apply for this scholarship program. Not only will they offer financial assistance, but there are other key benefits attached to this scholarship scheme; why not utilize this opportunity now?!
Benefits of UNIFAST Scholarship
UNIFAST scholarship offers loads of benefits to its recipients. These benefits help to recompile the lives of students as agents of change in the kitchen and in the world at large. Beyond financial assistance, they offer the following benefits:
- Full scholarship that covers tuition fees at state and local universities and colleges.
- They offer Free Higher Education (FHE), and this category encompasses various fees such as admission, athletic, computer, cultural, and more.
- Students who are enrolled in TESDA-registered TVET programs also enjoy free technical vocational education and training (TVET).
- They offer short-term loans to undergraduate and graduate students through the Student Loan Program for Tertiary Education Short-Term (SLPTE-ST).
With these benefits, UNIFAST scholarships have provided opportunities way beyond education alone, thereby serving as a beacon of hope for students pursuing higher education.
Eligibility criteria for UNIFAST scholarship
Students who wish to apply for this scholarship must meet the following criteria:
- The applicant must be a Filipino citizen.
- Family income should not be more than ₱300,000.00.
- High school students must have graduated or will be graduating with a GWA (General Weighted Average Grade) of 85% or equivalent.
- College students must have earned a GWA of 85% in the last qualifying examination or equivalent.
- The applicant must be a registered coconut farmer in the NCFRS (National Coconut Farmers Registry System) or a dependent of a coconut farmer.
- Must not be a recipient of any financial assistance program funded by the government.
- The applicant must pass the entry requirements of identified SUCs (state universities and councils).
- Applicants with privately funded scholarships that cover only tuition fees must fulfill the entry requirements of the private higher education institution (HEI).
All of the aforementioned criteria will be reviewed by the CHED regional office. Applicants who do not meet these eligibility criteria will not be offered a scholarship.
Documents Required
Typically, your scholarship application won’t go through without your supporting documents. Before applying for a UNIFAST scholarship, it is important that you gather all your documents early. You may ask what the required documents are. We’ve highlighted all the documents below:
- Birth certificate.
- Recent passport-sized photographs.
- Income tax returns or proof of income for parents or guardians.
- Completed application form.
- A certified copy of a high school diploma or equivalent documents.
- Transcript of records (TOR).
- Recommendation letters from reputable persons.
- Identification documents such as a passport, driver’s license, or voter’s ID.
- The latest income tax return (ITR) of the applicant and/or spouse, parents, or guardians if employed.
- Certificate of Tax Exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).
- Certificate of No Income from BIR.
- Certificate of Indigence from their barangay.
- Certificate/Case Study from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
How to Apply for UNIFAST Scholarship
Are you wondering how to go about the application process? Here’s a concise and straightforward guide on how to apply for the UNIFAST scholarship:
- Visit the official scholarship portal of CHED-UNIFAST.
- For new users, create an account on the portal by following the on-screen prompts.
- Once you’re done with the registration, log in with your unique ID and password.
- Get the application form and fill it out with all the required details.
- Upload all supporting documents in the format specified by the scholarship provider.
- Submit your application form and await feedback.
Kindly note that you are expected to provide accurate information on your application. Applicants are also advised to cross-check their application before submission to correct any mistakes. For further information about the application process, visit https://unifast.gov.ph/index.php.
FAQs
Can I apply for multiple scholarships on the portal?
Yes, you can. Students are allowed to apply for multiple UNIFAST scholarships, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each of them. Therefore, I need to review each scholarship program carefully and catch a glimpse of its eligibility criteria to know which one you’re qualified to apply for.
Is there an age limit for the UNIFAST Scholarship?
Although UNIFAST scholarship is not restricted to age, a large number of scholars offered by UNIFAST require applicants to be 17 years of age or older. You can look out for other scholarships that do not restrict you based on your age.
Is it possible to apply for UNIFAST Scholarship if I’m already enrolled in a university?
Of course, you can. There are some UNIFAST scholarships that university students can apply for, as long as they meet the criteria attached to the scholarship they intend to apply for.
Does UNIFAST scholarship encompass graduate and postgraduate studies?
Absolutely! The scholarship opportunities offered by UNIFAST cover undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate studies, tailored to meet the academic needs of each student.
