Aside from the Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) Program, there’s another related program offered by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED): the Cash Grant to Medical Students in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs).
Jointly implemented by CHED and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), this program provides tuition fee subsidy and financial assistance to qualified medical students enrolled in select SUCs that offer a Doctor of Medicine program.
Program Benefits
The CGMS-SUCs program grants 100% tuition fee subsidy to student-grantees, provided that they avail of only one government-funded financial assistance program for their tuition fee.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the program, an applicant must:
- Be a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines;
- Pass the specific admission requirements of the SUC as well as the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT) score requirements;
- Enroll in a Doctor of Medicine program at a participating SUC; and
- Have parents/guardian whose combined annual gross income does not exceed PHP 400,000.
Once accepted into the program, the student grantee must also:
- Maintain a regular academic load and a passing General Weighted Average (GWA); and
- Complete his/her medical degree within the maximum residency period allowed by the SUC.
Participating SUCs
At present, the CGMS-SUCs program is implemented by the following partner schools:
- Bicol University in Daraga, Albay;
- Cagayan State University in Carig, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan;
- Mariano Marcos State University in Quiling Sur, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte;
- Mindanao State University in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur;
- University of Northern Philippines in Tamag, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur;
- University of the Philippines Manila College of Medicine in Pedro Gil, Manila;
- University of the Philippines Manila School of Health Sciences in Palo, Leyte; and
- West Visayas State University in Luna Street, La Paz, Iloilo City.
Return Service
After completing the program, beneficiaries are required to render return service in the Philippines for a period of one (1) year for every year that they benefited from the cash grant. They are expected to work in a government institution, unit, agency within the country’s health care system, particularly through the following programs:
- Doctors to the Barrios (DTTB) Program. They must serve a minimum of three years in this program, even if their return service work is for less than three years;
- National Public Health Administration and Management Service Programs. This includes, but not limited to, working with the Department of Health (DOH);
- Local Public Health Administration and Management Service Programs. This includes, but not limited to, working with a Municipal Health Office, City Health Office, or Provincial Health Office;
- Accredited Residency Training Program;
- Health Sciences Academic Institution; and
- Health Sciences Research and Development Program.
Requirements
Interested applicants need to prepare the following documentary requirements:
- Duly accomplished CGMS-SUCs Application Form;
- For incoming freshmen students, High School Report Card;
- For students with earned college units, duly certified Copy of Grades for the latest semester/term attended; and
- Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents or guardian.
Application Process
A student can file an application at the participating SUC offering a Doctor of Medicine Program. Before the start of the academic year, he/she submits the accomplished CGMS-SUCs Application Form and supporting documents directly to the SUC. The SUC evaluates the application; upon approval, a Notice of Award (NOA) is then issued to the applicant.
To learn more about this program, interested applicants can visit the CHED official website. They can also call (02) 8988-0001 or send an email to osds-lsad@ched.gov.ph.
Students who are aspiring to be doctors are encouraged to apply for the CGMS-SUCs program. By joining this program, they will be able to help many people and communities in the country, by caring for their health and well-being.
Meanwhile, another educational opportunity that students may apply for is the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP). Head to this link for more information about this program.