CHED: Medical Students in SUC’s also get FREE Tuition

Ever wanted to become a doctor but financial constraints hold you to fulfill your dreams? Well, here’s good news for all medical student aspirants.

Aside from the scholarships given by the Department of Health (DOH) to deserving medical students, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has also recently said that medical students can also get FREE tuition when enrolled in state universities and colleges.

READ: CHED FREE Tuition Program 2017: Qualifications, Application Process, Requirements, Benefits and Coverage

“Doctors of Medicine students in the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) can now avail and enjoy full tuition subsidy through the Cash Grants to Medical Students enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs) program of the Duterte administration,” the joint memorandum circular of CHED and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) stated.

The joint memorandum circular said that the qualified student-grantees shall be entitled to receive one hundred percent (100%) tuition subsidy on the actual tuition of their respective SUCs.  The said program will be implemented this year, according to CHED Commissioner Spokesperson Prospero de Vera.

The program will cover both new and continuing Filipino medical students who will enroll for the Academic Year 2017-2018 in the following eight (8) identified SUCs:

1. University of Northern Philippines
2. Mariano Marcos State University
3. Cagayan State University
4. Bicol University
5. West Visayas State University
6. University of the Philippines – Leyte
7. Mindanao State University
8. University of the Philippines – Manila

De Vera said that this initiative of the government is in response to the continuing lack of the country caused by the high cost of medical education, overseas migration and brain drain.

To qualify for the CGMS-SUCs, a student must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Pass the admission requirements of the SUCs;
2. Enroll in authorized Doctor of Medicine programs of SUCs;
3. Maintain a General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least a passing grade; and,
4. Carry a regular academic load and complete the degree within the period allowed in the university.

As a payback and part of their public service responsibility, grantees shall render a one-year return service in the Philippines for every year of cash grant received.  They can serve as doctors in the government or private hospitals, local government health facilities, or become doctors-to-the-barrios (DTTB).