A TESDA scholarship pays for technical-vocational training at a school that has been given scholarship slots by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority. The best-known program is the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP), which TESDA says was launched in May 2006 to fill critical skills shortages in sectors such as business process outsourcing, metals and engineering, construction, and tourism. Scholars train for free, take their competency assessment for free, and receive allowances.
TESDA scholarship programs you may hear about
- TWSP (Training for Work Scholarship Program): training in in-demand qualifications linked to jobs, locally and overseas.
- STEP (Special Training for Employment Program): community-based short courses for self-employment and livelihood, often run by local government and TESDA training centers.
- PESFA (Private Education Student Financial Assistance): grants for post-secondary non-degree courses at private schools, created under the GASTPE Act (RA 8545).
- Free TVET under RA 10931: free tuition for tech-voc programs at state-run institutions.
Each program has its own rules, but they share the omnibus guidelines TESDA issues for its scholarship programs.
Who qualifies for a TESDA scholarship
Under TESDA’s omnibus guidelines (TESDA Circular No. 018, series of 2022), the basic qualifications are:
- Filipino citizenship;
- for TWSP, being at least 18 years old by the time you finish the training;
- for STEP, Tulong Trabaho, and PESFA, being at least 15 years old at the start of training; and
- for PESFA, being at least a high school graduate with an annual family income of P300,000 or below.
Individual training regulations also set entry requirements, such as educational level or physical fitness for some courses. For selected programs aimed at special clients, the minimum Grade 10 requirement may be relaxed.
Priority groups
The same circular lists priority clients, including overseas Filipino workers, workers and trainers who need upskilling, and distressed workers of small businesses. Beneficiaries of other government scholarships may also join, as long as their current program allows it and the schedules do not overlap. If you are an OFW or a family member, compare this with OWWA’s own training grants in our OWWA scholarships guide.
What a TESDA scholarship covers
Under the 2022 guidelines, scholars receive free training and free competency assessment, plus:
- a Training Support Fund, a daily allowance for attended training days;
- a workshop uniform allowance of P500;
- accident insurance under the GSIS Group Personal Accident Insurance for one year (not for fully online learners);
- a book or learning materials allowance, when applicable;
- starter toolkits for some programs; and
- entrepreneurship training, when applicable.
The circular states that schools may not charge scholars additional training fees. TESDA updates the Training Support Fund rate and other amounts in its schedule of cost each year, so ask the school or the TESDA provincial office for the current figures.
Who does not get the training allowance
The guidelines say uniformed personnel and scholars employed in the public sector are not entitled to the Training Support Fund. Government contract-of-service and job-order workers can receive it if the training is outside their work hours. You can still be a scholar; only the allowance is affected.
How to find a TESDA scholarship slot
Scholarship slots are allocated to schools by region and qualification, so availability depends on where you live. Ways to find one:
- Visit or message your TESDA provincial or district office and ask which schools have TWSP or STEP slots.
- Check the official Facebook pages of TESDA regional and provincial offices, where training schedules are posted.
- Ask accredited schools near you directly whether they have scholarship slots for your chosen course.
- Watch for TESDA enrollment drives and job fairs that accept walk-in and online applications.
Be wary of pages that ask you to pay a reservation fee. TESDA scholarships are free.
What to prepare when applying
Schools commonly ask for a filled-out learner profile or registration form, a PSA birth certificate, proof of education such as a diploma or report card, and ID photos. Exact requirements vary by school and course, so ask before you go. Our PSA birth certificate guide explains how to order one, and our government ID and document prep checklist has general prep tips.
The 80% attendance rule
This is the rule that catches people. Scholars must attend at least 80% of training, or pass institutional assessment for at least 80% of required units, to complete the program. Otherwise, the school reports you as a dropout. If you drop out without a valid reason, the guidelines say you will be disqualified from all TESDA scholarship programs for three years.
So, before accepting a slot, check that the schedule fits your work and family responsibilities. If something urgent happens, tell the school right away and document the reason.
Taking more than one TESDA scholarship
The guidelines allow multiple scholarships, one at a time and not simultaneously. You may take any qualification except one you have already completed as a scholar. A practical path is to finish one NC II, get certified, and then take a related course to widen your job options.
Assessment after training
Scholars take a free competency assessment at the end of training, usually arranged by the school with TESDA. If you pass, you receive a National Certificate. See our TESDA NC assessment guide for what happens on assessment day and how to claim and renew your certificate.
Choosing a course
Pick a qualification that matches real job openings near you or abroad. TESDA’s national plan for 2023 to 2028 identifies priority sectors such as manufacturing, construction, IT-BPM, and tourism, and scholarship slots tend to follow those. Look at local job postings before enrolling, and ask the school about its graduates’ employment record.
If you are unsure, start with a free TESDA online course to test your interest. Our TESDA Online Program guide explains how those work.
An example of a TESDA scholarship path
Jomar, 19, finished senior high school and wants to work as an electrician. He asks his TESDA provincial office which schools have TWSP slots for Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II, and is referred to an accredited school in the next town. He submits his PSA birth certificate, report card, and photos, then attends almost every session. Because he meets the attendance rule, he receives his training allowance and takes the free assessment at the end. He passes, claims his National Certificate, and later applies for a second scholarship in a related qualification.
STEP and starter toolkits
If your goal is a small business rather than a company job, STEP may suit you better than TWSP. TESDA describes it as a community-based specialty training program meant to promote employment through entrepreneurial, self-employment, and service-oriented activities. Courses are generally short-term or module-based, delivered mostly by local government training centers and TESDA technology institutions. Some STEP courses include starter toolkits, such as tools for a small repair or food business, which make it easier to start earning right after training.
Ask your barangay or municipal office too, since local governments often help gather participants for STEP batches.
Preparing for your first week
Once you are accepted, ask the school for the training schedule, the uniform design for your P500 allowance, and how the Training Support Fund is released. Some regions have released allowances through e-wallets, so register an account in your own name if the school asks. Keep your own record of attendance dates, which helps if there is a question about your allowance or completion later.
After you finish your TESDA scholarship
Many schools help graduates with job referrals, and TESDA regional offices hold job fairs with partner employers. Bring copies of your National Certificate and training certificate to every job interview. If you plan to work abroad, check whether your target job requires a specific NC level, and apply for verification documents early.
Common mistakes
- enrolling in a schedule you cannot keep, then dropping out and losing eligibility for three years;
- paying someone who claims to “reserve” a scholarship slot;
- applying for a qualification you already completed as a scholar; and
- skipping the assessment, which leaves you with a training certificate but no NC.
Frequently asked questions
Can working adults get a TESDA scholarship?
Yes. Employed and unemployed people may apply, although public-sector employees do not receive the Training Support Fund.
Does TESDA pay for online courses?
Some scholarship programs allow flexible or online delivery, but fully online scholars are not covered by the accident insurance.
How long does a TESDA scholarship course take?
It depends on the qualification. The training regulations set the required hours, so some courses finish in a few weeks while others take several months. Ask the school for the exact schedule and expected end date before enrolling.
Where do I complain about extra fees?
Report it to the TESDA provincial office or the TESDA contact center, since schools may not charge scholars extra training fees.
Last checked against TESDA’s scholarship and student assistance programs page and TESDA Circular No. 018, s. 2022 on October 2026. TESDA updates scholarship guidelines and allowance rates each year, so confirm current amounts with your provincial office.
