Scholarships at GBSEALD

The Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (GBSEALD) offers scholarships to promising graduate students (master’s and doctoral) who need financial assistance. These scholarships, made possible through our endowment funds, may cover up to 100% of tuition and fees for GBSEALD graduate degree programs.

The financial assistance will be sourced from the following endowment funds:

Eligibility

• Applicants must have met the application requirements of the Office of the Assistant Vice President for Graduate Education (OAVPGE) of Ateneo de Manila University and must be recommended for admission by the Chairpersons of GBSEALD.

  • The RBA Scholarship is designated for public school educators.

  • The VTL Scholarship is for any deserving educator in need of financial assistance.

  • The GBF TeachSTEM Scholarship is for those pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

• New and current GBSEALD graduate students may apply.
• For current GBSEALD graduate students, applicants must:
  • Be within the residency term limit of the Ateneo Higher Education (HE)
  • Have satisfactory academic performance as determined by the Department Chair or Program Director.
  • Be in good disciplinary standing (i.e., no record of minor or major offenses).
• Not be a recipient of any third-party scholarship or financial aid grant at the time of application—except for the HE's 50% subsidy granted to teachers.

Plan of Study

The scholarship covers a full graduate program offered by GBSEALD at Ateneo de Manila University. Scholars are expected to enroll in at least six (6) units per semester and at least three (3) units per intersession (when applicable).

Coverage

Depending on the applicant’s financial need, the scholarship may cover tuition, basic fees, and miscellaneous fees each semester, as assessed by the Ateneo Central Accounting Office (CAO).

Grade Requirement and Retention

Although the scholarship is awarded for the full program, continuation is subject to evaluation at the end of each semester. Scholars must meet the program’s academic requirements, including:

• Maintaining the grade norms required by the university (no grade lower than B+ and no INC or W in any subject, including comprehensive exams).

• Scholars who fail the comprehensive exam or dissertation defense must shoulder the cost of retaking the exam or re-enrolling in the course.

Withdrawal

A financial aid scholar who withdraws from the Graduate School for non-medical and/or non-academic reasons must reimburse GBSEALD for the total academic grant received during their last enrolled semester (including intersession, if applicable). Official documents from Ateneo will be withheld until the reimbursement is settled.

Return Service

GBSEALD aims to develop teacher-leaders dedicated to innovation and development in Philippine education. As such, all financial aid recipients must commit to serving in the Philippine education sector.

Scholars under the RBA Scholarship must serve in the Philippines for at least two years after completing their program. This is a non-negotiable condition set by the donor. Ideally, RBA scholars should also be teaching in a public school during their studies at Ateneo.

In return for financial aid, GBSEALD scholars must render service in a capacity to be determined on a case-by-case basis. Possible contributions include assisting with school programs and research-related events.

CONDITIONS AND TERMS

1. Scholars need to submit all required documents to GBSEALD and the OAVPGE as may be indicated in various forms of communication about their enrollment to the Graduate School and acceptance to this Scholarship Program 
2. Scholars need to present the original and submit a photocopy of the CAO’s tuition/registration official receipt to the GBSEALD Dean’s Office after completion of each semester’s enrollment process. 
3. Scholars are expected to attend all classes. Any absence must get explicit approval from the GBSEALD Dean’s Office. 
4. Scholars are expected to meet with their assigned AdMU faculty mentors at least once a month.
5. The student must file the LOA Form if intending to discontinue graduate studies. Scholarship privileges will be suspended during the LOA period.
6. The student may be permitted to withdraw from the semester currently enrolled in due to grave reasons as defined in the Magna Carta of Graduate Students' Rights. The scholarship privileges will be suspended during LOA. 
7. Scholars are expected to complete the graduate program within the Loyola School’s residency limit  – five (5) years for the masteral programs and seven (7) years for the doctoral programs.
8. Scholars shall be responsible for payment of any fees that result from retakes, late submissions, or delayed fulfillment of requirements.
9. Scholarships are not transferable should the student decide to shift to another program.  

Application Requirements and Procedures

• Accomplished GBSEALD Scholarship Application Form 
• Recommendation Letter
  • For new students - A letter of recommendation (e.g., character reference) from the applicant’s present/previous employer, supervisor, or teacher. The letter should be printed on official letterhead.
  • For currently enrolled students - A letter of recommendation from the graduate coordinator/chair/potential dissertation adviser
• Transcript of Records from the previous school attended (if new student) or latest printout of student’s grades from AISIS (for current students)
• Research thrusts or priorities, aligned with the research agenda of the department/program/school endorsed by the Department Chair/Program Director
• Plan of study (Download Template)
• Income Tax Return (ITR)
  • If single and currently employed, a photocopy of the applicant’s latest Income Tax Return (ITR) form.
  • If married and filing income tax returns separately (or the applicant is unemployed), include a photocopy of the spouse’s latest ITR form;
  • If single and unemployed, a photocopy of the parent’s latest ITR form;
  • If parents are NOT employed, a Certificate of Exemption from filing of Income Tax Return from the BIR or Certificate of Unemployment from the Municipal/Barangay Hall
• Personal interview, if shortlisted

Other Ateneo Higher Education Scholarships and Financial Aid Available for Graduate Students

The following scholarships are also available for Graduate Students:

• Fifty Percent (50%) Tuition Scholarship for Academics
• Tuition (20%) Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities 
• Scholarships for Graduate Students
• Teaching and Graduate Assistantships 
• Fifty Percent (50%) Thesis, Dissertation, and Capstone Project Scholarships
• Dorm Scholarship

For more information, please visit https://www.ateneo.edu/ls/graduate/scholarships-financial-aid.