Although the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) offers scholarship programs to students, it has similar programs for teachers, and non-teaching staff, too. One of these is the Scholarships of Instructors’ Knowledge Advancement Program (SIKAP).
The SIKAP program provides opportunities for Higher Education Institution (HEI) teaching and non-teaching personnel to seek advanced studies in participating colleges and universities in the Philippines. Aside from free tuition and other school fees, a monthly stipend and research allowance awaits successful applicants.
Program Benefits
The list of benefits depend on whether students will be studying “full-time” or “part-time.”
SIKAP Full-Time
Full-time students will receive: (a) free tuition and other fees; (b) stipend worth PHP 41,000 (Masters) or PHP 54,000 (Doctorate) per month for every term; and (c) research allowance amounting to PHP 150,000 (Masters) or PHP 250,000 (Doctorate).
SIKAP Part-Time
Those studying part-time will get: (a) free tuition and other fees; (b) stipend worth PHP 40,000 (Masters) or PHP 50,000 (Doctorate) per month for every term; and (c) research allowance amounting to PHP 150,000 (Masters) or PHP 250,000 (Doctorate).
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Eligibility
Both teaching and non-teaching personnel may apply for this program. The eligibility criteria varies slightly between regular/plantilla and non-regular/non-plantilla employees.
Regular/Plantilla
To qualify for this program, a regular/plantilla applicant must:
- Be a Filipino citizen;
- Be a teaching or non-teaching personnel employed full-time in a CHED-recognized HEI or in government agencies/private institutions that have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CHED;
- Have no existing employment or contract of service in another institution or agency;
- Be admitted and will enroll in a graduate degree program within the term of application;
- Be physically and mentally fit to undertake and complete the scholarship program;
- Be attested by the Sending HEI (SHEI)/agency/institution that the endorsement to the scholarship is part of the manpower development plan of the HEI/agency/institution;
- Be willing to execute a Return Service Agreement with the SHEI/agency/institution;
- Be in good academic standing and not on extension of study at the time of application, if an on-going student;
- Have an approved full-time study leave without teaching/workload covering the entire scholarship period (if applying for full-time study); and
- Have a permit to study from the SHEI (if applying for part-time study).
Non-Regular/Non-Plantilla
Most of the above criteria also apply to non-regular/non-plantilla applicants, with the addition of the following requirements:
- Teaching or non-teaching personnel employed on a full-time basis who have rendered at least five (5) years of continuous service in the SHEI;
- Not more than 50 years old within the next six (6) months from the date of application; and
- Cleared of any pending obligations from all previously awarded grants or scholarships.
Requirements
When applying for the program, the following documents must be prepared:
- Application Form;
- Certificate of Employment with Compensation;
- Approved Study Leave issued by the SHEI;
- Certificate of clearance from previous grants, proof of trainings attended, published works or research presented, if applicable;
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance;
- Medical Certificate of physical fitness and mental fitness to undertake and complete the program;
- Proof of Admission to the HEI;
- Transcript of Records (TOR) for every undergraduate and graduate/post-graduate degree attained;
- Return Service Agreement and Draft Re-entry Action Plan;
- Copy of publications for the past five (5) years, if any; and
- Certificate of Award, if applicable.
How to Sign Up
Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for the program:
- Review and ensure compliance with the eligibility requirements.
- Gather and prepare all the necessary documents.
- Create a Student Applicant Account on the SIKAP Portal.
- Fill out the online application form and upload the required documents.
- Wait for the email notification regarding the status of your application.
- Confirm acceptance upon receiving the Notice of Award (NOA).
For more information about the SIKAP program, interested applicants can visit the CHED official website or contact the nearest CHED Regional Office.
Since learning is a lifelong process, it is only fitting that teaching and non-teaching personnel pursue advanced studies. Thanks to the SIKAP program, they can aspire to achieve Masters or Doctorate degrees in their fields.
Speaking of studies, CHED offers a Scholarship Program for Coconut Farmers and their Families (CoScho). Visit this link for more details about this program.