Deadline – July 31, 2026
Apply online only via the SIScholar portal. Prepare all required documents before starting.
This scholarship comes with a required Return Service Agreement (RSA). Unlike most CHED grants, SIScholar scholars are obligated to render return service after graduation. Understand the RSA fully before applying.
What makes CHED SIScholar Scholarship different: This is one of the few CHED scholarship programs exclusively for a specific industry sector. Only those certified by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) as sugarcane industry workers, small sugarcane farmers, or their qualified dependents may apply. The SRA Certification is the non-negotiable gateway document without it, no application can proceed.
| Details | Info |
|---|---|
| Program name | CHED SIScholar Scholarship |
| Administered by | Commission on Higher Education (CHED) |
| Certifying body | Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) |
| Who can apply | Sugarcane industry workers, small sugarcane farmers, and their dependents (SRA-certified) |
| Year levels | Incoming 1st year + 2nd to 4th year college students |
| GWA – 1st year | Minimum 85% general average (SHS) |
| GWA – 2nd to 4th year | Minimum 80% GWA (last semester) |
| Income ceiling | Household gross income of ₱500,000 or less per year. |
| Return Service | Required RSA |
| Application deadline | July 31, 2026 |
| Application mode | Online Via CHED SIScholar Application Portal |
In this article
What is the CHED SIScholar Scholarship Program?
The SIScholar (Scholarship Program for Sugarcane Industry Workers, Small Sugarcane Farmers and Their Dependents) is a sector-specific CHED scholarship designed to open higher education pathways for Filipinos directly connected to the sugarcane industry one of the country’s most significant agricultural sectors employing millions of workers, particularly in Western Visayas, Central Luzon, and Mindanao.
Unlike general CHED scholarships open to all students, SIScholar is exclusively for those certified by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA). This focus makes the scholarship less competitive than national programs while remaining highly meaningful to its target beneficiaries.
Who can apply for the CHED SIScholar
- Sugarcane industry workers certified by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA),
- Small sugarcane farmers certified by the SRA with a household gross annual income of ₱500,000 or less,
- Qualified dependents of SRA-certified workers or farmers applying for college.
GWA requirements by year level
CHED SIScholar has two different GWA thresholds depending on your year level a more common feature in industry-specific scholarships that recognizes the different academic baselines of incoming freshmen and continuing students.
- Incoming 1st Year: 85% minimum General Average in Senior High School
- 2nd to 4th Year: 80% minimum GWA from the last semester attended
Pro tip – SIScholar is one of the few CHED grants open to 2nd-4th year students
Most CHED scholarship programs are restricted to incoming first-year students. SIScholar explicitly welcomes 2nd to 4th year continuing college students, with a lower GWA threshold of 80% compared to the 85% required for freshmen.
If you are a continuing student from a sugarcane family who has been unable to access other CHED grants because you are past your first year, this may be the program specifically designed for you.
The SRA Certification: Required Document
SRA Certification is mandatory for all applicants:
All applicants, whether the worker/farmer themselves or a dependent, must submit an SRA Certification confirming their status as a sugarcane industry worker, small sugarcane farmer, or qualified dependent. Without this, your application cannot be processed regardless of grades or income.
Download the official SRA Certification form: SRA Certification Form (Google Drive)
Pro tip – Getting your SRA Certification fast
The SRA Certification must be processed through the Sugar Regulatory Administration. Contact your nearest SRA office immediately, processing can take 5–10 business days, and with the July 31 deadline approaching, time is short.
Bring proof of employment or farm ownership (e.g., employment contract, sugar block certificate, SRA-issued farm ID, or planters’ association membership) when you visit. Dependents should also bring their birth certificate and their parent’s or guardian’s proof of SRA registration. Do not wait until mid-July to request this document.
Read: How to apply for DOST JLSS Scholarship
Return Service Agreement (RSA)
Required Return Service, read before you sign
The SIScholar Program comes with a required Return Service Agreement. This means that after graduation, scholars are obligated to render service, typically within the sugarcane industry or in programs related to agricultural development for a period corresponding to the duration of their scholarship.
The specific terms and duration of the RSA will be communicated by CHED at the time of scholarship award. Unlike the CHED Merit Scholarship which has no RSA, SIScholar scholars must plan for this commitment before accepting the grant.
What the RSA means for your career plans
The Return Service Agreement is not necessarily a career limitation, if you plan to work in agriculture, agribusiness, food science, agri-engineering, or rural development anyway, the RSA aligns naturally with your goals.
However, if you plan to pursue a career entirely unrelated to the sugarcane industry immediately after graduation (e.g., BPO, overseas employment, or tech), the RSA will require you to fulfill your service commitment first or face possible financial liability for the grant received. Clarify the specific RSA terms, duration, qualifying service activities, and penalties for non-compliance, with CHED before submitting your application.
Documentary requirements
A. Required documents (all applicants)
- Copy of PSA/NSO Birth Certificate,
- For SHS graduates (incoming freshmen): Certified True Copy of School Form 9 (SF9) front and back, signed by the SHS registrar or authorized representative,
- For 2nd to 4th year students: Certified True Copy of grades from the last semester attended,
- SRA Certification confirming applicant is a sugarcane industry worker, small sugarcane farmer, or qualified dependent,
- Copy of Notice of Admission from the SUC (State University or College).
B. Financial documents any one applicable
- Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents or legal guardian,
- Certificate of Tax Exemption / Non-Filer Certificate from BIR,
- Social Case Study Report issued by C/MSWDO.
C. For legal/authorized guardians (if applicable)
- Notarized Certificate of Guardianship issued by the legal guardian.
D. Additional documents for Special Equity Groups (if applicable)
- PWD ID from C/MSWDO or PDAO certification,
- Solo Parent / Dependent: Solo Parent ID from C/MSWDO,
- Senior Citizen ID from C/MSWDO,
- Underprivileged / Homeless: DHSUD or C/MSWDO certification,
- Magna Carta for the Poor / First-Generation: Social Case Study Report from C/MSWDO,
- Indigenous Peoples: NCIP Certification.
Tip – submit SEG documents even if you think you don’t need them
Like other CHED StuFAPs, SIScholar applicants who also belong to a Special Equity Group (PWD, solo parent dependent, IP, etc.) may receive additional ranking points during evaluation. Many applicants from sugarcane families belong to multiple disadvantaged groups but only submit the SRA Certification.
If you are also a PWD, a solo parent dependent, or belong to an indigenous community, submit those certifications alongside your SRA document, it costs nothing extra and can improve your ranking when slots are competitive.
File upload guidelines
| Requirements | Guidelines |
|---|---|
| PDF files | Merge multi-page documents into one PDF. No password protection. Scan in “Document” or “B&W” mode for clean, readable text. |
| JPEG images | Bright, even lighting, no flash glare. Flat on a dark surface. Capture all four corners. Tap to focus on mobile before shooting. |
| File size | Maximum 5MB per file. Use 300 DPI scanning or an online PDF compressor if oversized. |
| File naming | Format: LastName_FirstName_DocumentType. e.g., Dela Cruz_Juan_BirthCert, Dela Cruz_Juan_SF9 · Dela Cruz_Juan_SRA_Cert |
| Orientation | All uploads must be upright. Rotate documents before uploading if photographed sideways. |
| SF9 note | The SF9 requires both front AND back sides. Scan both and merge into one PDF before uploading. |
How to apply for the CHED SIScholar Scholarship 2026?
1. Secure your SRA Certification first
Visit the nearest Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) office and request the official SRA Certification. Download the form from the official link provided in the announcement. Bring proof of employment, farm ownership, or your parent’s/guardian’s SRA registration. This is your most time-sensitive document process it first.
2. Gather your academic documents
Incoming freshmen: Request a Certified True Copy of your SF9 (front and back) from your SHS registrar. Continuing students (2nd-4th year): Secure a certified copy of your grades from your last semester. Request a Notice of Admission from your SUC.
3. Prepare your financial and additional documents
Secure your ITR, BIR Non-Filer Certificate, or Social Case Study Report. If you belong to any Special Equity Group, gather those certifications as well. Guardians must prepare a Notarized Certificate of Guardianship.
4. Scan, name, and organize all files before opening the portal
Scan or photograph all documents following the guidelines above. Name each file correctly. Place everything in one folder on your device before visiting the application portal the session may time out if you leave it to search for documents mid-application.
5. Submit via the SIScholar portal before July 31
Go to bit.ly/2026SIScholarApplicationPortal. Complete all fields and upload documents to the correct sections. Review everything carefully before submitting.
Frequently asked questions
Can the dependent child of a sugarcane worker apply, not the worker themselves?
Yes. The program explicitly covers qualified dependents of SRA-certified sugarcane industry workers and small sugarcane farmers. The dependent must submit the parent’s or guardian’s SRA Certification as part of the application.
Do I need to enroll in an agriculture-related course to qualify?
Not necessarily. Applicants must enroll in a CHED-identified priority undergraduate program, but these priority programs include a broad range of courses beyond agriculture, such as engineering, business, IT, and education.
Can I apply if I study at a private university?
The documentary requirements specifically mention a “Notice of Admission from the SUC” (State University or College) suggesting the scholarship may be oriented toward SUC enrollment. Confirm with CHED whether private HEIs are covered for this cycle before applying.
What is the Return Service Agreement?
The RSA is a commitment to render service typically in roles related to the sugarcane industry or agricultural development after graduation, for a period proportional to the scholarship received. Specific RSA terms are communicated to selected scholars by CHED. Scholars who fail to comply with the RSA may face financial liability for the grant received.
Is the ₱500,000 income ceiling the same as other CHED grants?
No. The SIScholar income ceiling of ₱500,000 household gross income is lower than the CHED EASE Scholarship program (₱2,000,000) and similar to the CHED Merit Scholarship (₱500,000). This reflects the program’s focus on economically disadvantaged sugarcane farming families.
