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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider CHED partners with LANDBANK to speed up scholarship releases for Filipino students

CHED partners with LANDBANK to speed up scholarship releases for Filipino students

Published Mar 17, 2026 01:48 pm
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and LANDBANK officials sign a landmark agreement during the Higher Education Summit 2026 to accelerate scholarship and financial assistance releases for Filipino students. (Photo from CHED)
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and LANDBANK officials sign a landmark agreement during the Higher Education Summit 2026 to accelerate scholarship and financial assistance releases for Filipino students. (Photo from CHED)
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Tuesday, March 17, announced that it has partnered with the Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) to accelerate the release of scholarships and financial assistance, addressing long-standing delays that have burdened thousands of Filipino students.
In a statement, CHED said the agreement was signed during the Higher Education Summit 2026 last week. The move aims to streamline the nationwide disbursement of education grants under programs administered by CHED and the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST).
CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis and LANDBANK President and CEO Ma. Lynette V. Ortiz formalized the partnership, which supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to improve access to education and ease students’ financial burdens.
“Equally important are initiatives that promote financial inclusion and more efficient disbursement systems, ensuring that assistance reaches students in a timely and transparent manner,” Agrupis said.
“Sa ganitong paraan, mas napapadali nating naihahatid ang tulong sa ating mga mag-aaral (In this way, we make it easier to deliver assistance to our students),” she added.
Faster scholarship disbursement under new system
Under the agreement, CHED, UniFAST, and LANDBANK will implement a more efficient payout system designed to eliminate logistical bottlenecks that often delay the release of financial aid.
The new system allows multiple disbursement channels, including direct crediting to LANDBANK accounts, transfers to other bank accounts, and streamlined digital processing for faster transactions.
CHED said the improved mechanism will enable students to receive their allowances and grants more quickly, helping them focus on their studies without financial uncertainty.
Boosting financial inclusion and student support
Agrupis emphasized that the initiative is not only about speed but also about transparency and inclusivity in delivering government assistance.
LANDBANK, meanwhile, committed to providing the technical and operational infrastructure needed to support the nationwide rollout, including services for students in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
Aligned with free higher education law
The initiative supports the implementation of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which mandates broader access to free and subsidized higher education in the Philippines.
CHED said improving the efficiency of scholarship disbursement is critical as more students enter government-funded programs, including the newly launched Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program.
With faster fund releases, CHED emphasized that beneficiaries can better sustain their education, complete their degrees, and contribute to national priorities such as food security, innovation, and economic growth.
Removing barriers to education
CHED underscored that delayed financial assistance has long been a major challenge for students, sometimes forcing them to pause or abandon their studies.
By modernizing the disbursement system, CHED said it aims to remove these barriers and ensure that government support reaches students when they need it most.
For CHED, the partnership signals a shift from prolonged waiting periods to a more responsive and student-centered approach to educational assistance—marking a significant step in strengthening the country’s higher education system.

Related Tags

CHED CHED scholarship LANDBANK scholarship release Philippines UniFAST student financial assistance Philippines free college Philippines
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