CHED and DepEd Offer 870 Graduate Scholarship Slots with ₱30,000 Monthly Allowance
PHILIPPINES

CHED and DepEd Offer 870 Graduate Scholarship Slots with ₱30,000 Monthly Allowance

July 19, 2026 1:50 PM
APTIKONS ADMIN

To address the growing mental health needs of Filipino learners and fill critical gaps in student support services, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd) have partnered to launch the Learning Initiatives for Nurturing Guidance Associates and Counselors Program (LINGAP) a landmark postgraduate scholarship initiative opening for Academic Year 2026–2027. Funded with ₱121.37 million under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, the program will provide 870 full scholarship slots for qualified DepEd personnel to pursue master’s degrees in Guidance and Counseling or Psychology, covering full tuition, a ₱30,000 monthly stipend, and up to ₱150,000 in thesis allowance. Targeting at least two scholars per Schools Division Office nationwide, LINGAP aims to produce hundreds of licensed mental health professionals who will strengthen emotional, behavioral, and academic guidance for millions of public school students. Official application details and guidelines will be released by CHED and DepEd in the coming weeks.

CHED and DepEd
CHED and DepEd

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Department of Education (DepEd) have joined forces to launch a new postgraduate scholarship program that aims to strengthen guidance and mental health services in public schools across the country. The initiative, which will begin in Academic Year 2026–2027, is expected to provide hundreds of teachers and DepEd personnel with the opportunity to pursue advanced studies while receiving financial assistance from the government.

The scholarship program is officially called the Learning Initiatives for Nurturing Guidance Associates and Counselors Program (LINGAP). It was created in response to the growing need for more qualified guidance counselors and mental health professionals in Philippine public schools, where many learners continue to face academic pressure, emotional challenges, bullying, family problems, anxiety, depression, and other concerns that require professional guidance and intervention.

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Under the LINGAP Program, the government will initially provide 870 scholarship slots for qualified DepEd personnel who wish to pursue graduate studies in Guidance and Counseling or Psychology. The program is expected to help schools address the shortage of licensed guidance counselors by producing more professionals who are equipped to support the emotional, behavioral, social, and academic development of students.

The scholarship offers a comprehensive financial assistance package to lessen the burden on scholars while they complete their graduate degrees. Qualified recipients may receive payment for their actual tuition and other school fees, allowing them to focus on their studies without worrying about educational expenses. In addition, scholars will receive a monthly stipend of ₱30,000 during every academic term to help cover their daily living expenses, transportation, learning materials, and other personal needs while enrolled in their respective graduate programs.

Aside from tuition support and monthly allowances, scholars who are required to complete a thesis as part of their degree program may also receive a thesis allowance of up to ₱150,000. This financial assistance is intended to support research expenses, including data gathering, research materials, fieldwork, and other academic requirements necessary for the completion of their graduate studies.

According to the program guidelines, incoming graduate students may enjoy scholarship support for up to three academic years, depending on the duration of their chosen program. Meanwhile, DepEd personnel who are already enrolled in graduate studies may also qualify for the scholarship, although the period of financial assistance will depend on the number of academic requirements they still need to complete before graduation.

The implementation of the LINGAP Program became possible after the national government allocated ₱121.37 million under the 2026 General Appropriations Act specifically for specialized postgraduate scholarships. The budget aims to ensure that at least two qualified DepEd personnel from every Schools Division Office across the country will benefit from the scholarship, allowing schools in different regions to gradually increase the number of trained guidance professionals available to learners.

Education officials believe that the scholarship program comes at a crucial time, as schools continue to recognize the importance of providing stronger mental health support to students. In recent years, concerns involving stress, emotional well-being, behavioral issues, peer pressure, online bullying, family conflicts, and mental health challenges have become more visible in schools, highlighting the need for more qualified professionals who can provide counseling and intervention services.

Through the LINGAP Program, CHED and DepEd hope to strengthen learner support systems by increasing the number of professionals who possess advanced knowledge and specialized training in counseling and psychology. These professionals are expected to help students cope with personal struggles, improve their emotional well-being, guide them in making informed life decisions, and provide timely interventions whenever necessary.

The initiative also reflects the government’s continuing effort to improve the overall quality of education by recognizing that learning is not limited to classroom instruction alone. Education leaders have repeatedly emphasized that students perform better academically when they also receive adequate emotional, psychological, and social support from trained professionals within the school community.

For many teachers and other qualified DepEd personnel who have long wanted to pursue graduate studies but were discouraged by financial limitations, the LINGAP scholarship presents a valuable opportunity to continue their education without carrying the full cost of tuition and other academic expenses. The generous financial package is expected to encourage more educators to specialize in guidance and counseling, eventually increasing the availability of mental health services in public schools nationwide.

As of this writing, however, CHED and DepEd have not yet released the official call for applications, application schedule, eligibility requirements, or the online application portal for the scholarship program. Interested applicants are advised to regularly monitor official announcements from both agencies for updates regarding the application process, documentary requirements, partner universities, and selection guidelines.

Once implemented, the LINGAP Program is expected to become one of the government’s major investments in strengthening student welfare and mental health services in the education sector. By equipping more DepEd personnel with advanced training in guidance and counseling, the program seeks to create safer, more supportive, and more responsive learning environments where every Filipino learner has access not only to quality education but also to the professional guidance and emotional support they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom. / aptikons