How to Get a Medical Scholarship in the Philippines

Medical school already sounds intimidating what with long years of study and difficult courses ahead. Not to mention high tuition costs and other school fees you’ll have to pay in the coming years. Fortunately for aspiring doctors and medical practitioners, there are a number of local institutions offering scholarships for medical students, which can give you the chance to pursue your dreams without the financial pressure.

Here’s a list of medical scholarships in the country that you can apply for:

1. DOH Medical Scholarship Program

Now might be the best time for you to consider a medical career! The Department of Health (DOH) reopened its Medical Scholarship Program for the academic year 2018-2019. This med school scholarship scheme replaced the “Pinoy MD Program,” then initiated as a response to the lack of Filipino doctors.

DOH’s Medical Scholarship Program is a joint project of the DOH, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), several state universities and colleges (SUCs), local government units, and partner schools. 

The program is open to indigenous peoples (IPs), Barangay Health Workers, local health workers, employees of DOH and their children who plan to pursue a career in medicine, as well as prospective students coming from low-income families and geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas.

They will have to apply directly to the chosen DOH partner schools and comply with each unique set of requirements. Only those who pass admission requirements to partner schools are eligible to apply.

Deserving medical students will receive full tuition subsidy and a five-year scholarship package. This includes allowances, miscellaneous and laboratory fees, and PhilHealth premiums.

After passing the board examinations, applicants will be required to serve as doctors in government or private hospitals, local government health facilities, or barrios. This is part of the return-service system currently in place.

2. Bailon Dela Rama Scholarship (University of the Philippines, Manila)

The University of the Philippines Manila is known today as the country’s premier institution for health sciences. The university’s College of Medicine is recognized as a Center for Excellence by the Commission on Higher Education. No wonder it’s one of the most sought-after universities of aspiring doctors.

The school’s Bailon Dela Rama Scholarship grant is open to sophomores enrolled in the College of Medicine and Public Health. They should have a maintained General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 2.50 for the past two semesters immediately preceding the application. Benefits include an allowance of P10,000.00 per semester.

3. University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Inc. (UERMMMCI) Scholarship Programs

Previously known as the UE College of Medicine, the University of the East-Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Inc. is a non-stock, non-profit foundation that goes beyond the usual curriculum for med students. They have a number of scholarship programs entitling freshmen, students with academic/latin honors, and financially deserving applicants to free or discounted tuition, laboratory, and miscellaneous fees.

4. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Medicine

The students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila benefit from major grants by the local government of Manila as full (non-paying) scholars or highly-subsidized (minimal paying) scholars.

For this reason, the PLM College of Medicine, compared to other private medical schools, is stricter when it comes to admission requirements.

Still, this doesn’t discourage prospective medical students to try and enter for highly affordable medical education. A set of tuition categories will determine a student’s eligibility for a scholarship. 

5. St. Luke’s College of Medicine – William H. Quasha Memorial

St. Luke’s College of Medicine’s William H. Quasha Memorial is the medical school of the St. Luke’s Medical Center, a Joint Commission International (JCI) accredited hospital.

Full scholarships consist of free tuition, laboratory and miscellaneous fees plus books.

Those eligible are bachelor degree holders with Latin honors from Philippine universities with an NMAT rating of 90% and above. A student may obtain and maintain their full scholarship with a GWA of 85% or higher. Additionally, no grade should be lower than 80%.

6. Romeo P. Ariniego Scholarship for Medical Education (Silliman University, Dumaguete)

Silliman University in Dumaguete falls among well-meaning sponsors and institutions offering medical education opportunities outside Metro Manila.

Top cardiologist and Sillimanian Dr. Romeo P. Ariniego offers scholarship grants to the top 10% of graduates of qualified baccalaureate degree programs in any public or private school in the Philippines. They must also be Filipino citizens with a National Medical Admission (NMAT) percentile rank of 75 and above. 

The scholarship covers tuition and other fees, books and equipment, lodging, as well as monthly allowances.

With the right attitude and proven academic records, every medical aspirant in the country will have a fair chance of these scholarship opportunities. Expensive education should not hinder anyone from achieving their goals.

Check out Edukasyon.ph’s Scholarships page to find more opportunities to study for free as you pursue your dream career!