A graphic circulating on Facebook (FB) is claiming that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has opened applications for a scholarship program for college students. This is fake. The application period for CHED scholarships in the current academic year ended last May.
The post promoted links to a bogus Professional Regulation Commission website, an investment platform and a betting site.
The fake graphic bearing CHED’s logo, posted as early as Nov. 22, contained this text:
“CHED SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2023-2024. Full Allowance for Private College/University P120,000. Full Allowance for Public College/University P80,000.
It was also accompanied by this caption: “CHED SCHOLARSHIP NOW OPEN‼️ SEND YOUR APPLICATION HERE.”
In an FB post, CHED Chairperson Prospero De Vera said there is no ongoing application for scholarships being offered by the commission:
“The application period for scholarship and financial assistance grants offered by CHED per [CHED Memorandum Order] 8, 2019, occurs annually from March 1 to May 31. These grants follow a prioritization scheme to quality and the availability of new slots is contingent on our availability funds.”
Source: Prof Popoy De Vera Facebook page, “Statement on the false and misleading information on social media regarding CHED scholarships,” Nov. 28, 2023.
The application period for CHED’s merit scholarship program for academic year 2023-2024, which offers a full grant of P120,000 for students of private universities and P80,000 for students of public universities, had already ended on May 31.
Meanwhile, the CHED’s Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), is currently accepting applicants for its Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program.
UniFAST previously clarified that TES is not a scholarship, but a grant-in-aid program that provides P20,000 worth of assistance to poor students.
De Vera also advised the public to check for scholarship updates on CHED’s official website and social media accounts.
The commission also urged netizens to report fraudulent or suspicious activity related to the agency’s assistance programs.
Posted by impostor pages DSWD CASH Assistance and PRC Board, the bogus graphic received over 5,000 reactions, 9,000 comments and 25,000 shares.
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(Editor’s Note: VERA Files has partnered with Facebook to fight the spread of disinformation. Find out more about this partnership and our methodology.)
