Commission on Higher Education

What Commission on Higher Education does

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is the Philippine government's primary regulatory agency for tertiary education, established in 1994 under Republic Act 7722 and headquartered in Quezon City with 17 Regional Offices (CHEDROs) providing nationwide coverage. CHED regulates, governs, and promotes quality higher education across 2,355 Higher Education Institutions, including 108 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), and Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs). It serves students, faculty, and institutional administrators through scholarship disbursement, program authorization, quality assurance, and faculty development, with attached agencies UniFAST and the Legal Education Board.

CHED's core offerings span a scholarship and financial assistance platform (STUFAPS, BPMSP, MSRS, TESP, AHEAD Grant, ETEEAP, FSTP), strategic frameworks (the ACHIEVE Agenda 2025-2030), and digital infrastructure including the CHED TANAW interactive GIS dashboard covering all 2,355 HEIs, the eCAV PH verification platform, and the ETEEAP online enlistment system. Technology components include AI in Higher Education frameworks, HUSAY program AI-mediated training courses, and partnerships with the World Bank for functional review, ASEAN for regional cooperation, and multiple international universities for transnational education. The most recent major funding inflow was P9.753 billion from the Department of Budget and Management in 2026 settling Free Higher Education Program shortfalls for 108 SUCs.

CHED does not generate commercial revenue. It operates entirely on national government appropriations and the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF). Its go-to-market is regulatory and policy-driven rather than sales-driven: CHED delivers programs through partnerships with SUCs, LUCs, PHEIs, and line agencies (DBM, DSWD, DOH, DOST, DepEd, DOLE, TESDA, OWWA, TIEZA, DOT, PCA, PRC, TEC, LandBank), and disburses scholarships and grants to students and faculty under schemes including Free Higher Education (RA 10931) and the P103M TESP. Customer segments are institutional (SUCs, LUCs, PHEIs), individual (students, faculty), and geographic (including the Bangsamoro Government). Recent distribution expansions include national rollouts of Project PAG-IBIG across 81 SUCs and PBBM-GABAY ng Bayan regional caravans.

Name

Commission on Higher Education

Legal name

Commission on Higher Education

Website

https://ched.gov.ph

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CHED is the Philippine government regulatory agency for tertiary education, established in 1994 under Republic Act 7722, overseeing 2,355 Higher Education Institutions across 17 regional offices, with policy authority, scholarship administration, and quality assurance functions funded by national appropriations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Regulation

NAICS

Administration of Education Programs (92311)

akta.pro primary industry

Higher Education Regulators & Tertiary Education Commissions (EDADAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in Education (EDADALAD), Educator Preparation Program (EPP) Approval & Oversight (EDADAJAD)

Keywords

• Higher education regulation
• Student scholarship programs
• Institutional quality assurance
• Tertiary education governance
• Educational financial assistance

Headquarters

HQ city

Manila

HQ country

Philippines

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is the Philippine government regulatory agency established under Republic Act 7722 that governs, regulates, and promotes quality higher education across the country. It oversees 2,355 Higher Education Institutions, administers multiple scholarship and financial assistance programs, grants institutional recognition and program authorization, and coordinates free higher education under Republic Act 10931. CHED operates through a central office and 17 regional offices (CHEDROs) with an attached agency UniFAST for student financial assistance distribution.

Product overview

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is a Philippine government regulatory agency that governs and promotes quality higher education through multiple interconnected programs and platforms. The organization's offerings include: (1) ACHIEVE Agenda - a comprehensive 7-point strategic framework for 2025-2030; (2) STUFAPS - a unified platform managing multiple scholarship programs including BPMSP, MSRS, TESP, and AHEAD Grant; (3) UniFAST - an attached agency for consolidating student financial assistance; (4) SIBOL - student technology business incubation for agri-aqua sector; (5) Free Higher Education under RA 10931 providing tuition exemption; (6) HUSAY faculty development program with AI-mediated training components; (7) ETEEAP for returning OFWs; (8) CHED TANAW - an interactive GIS dashboard for HEI data visualization; and (9) eCAV PH digital verification platform. These products work together to regulate, fund, and support higher education access and quality across Philippines' 2,355 Higher Education Institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ACHIEVE Agenda CHED's comprehensive A.C.H.I.E.V.E. strategic framework (2025-2030) comprising seven priority areas guiding Philippine higher education transformation, alignment with the Bagong Pilipinas vision, and SDGs. For higher education institutions and students.
• Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP) Merit-based scholarship program for incoming first-year college students pursuing priority degree programs addressing workforce gaps and national development. For students entering Philippine HEIs.
• Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) Scholarship program for medical students requiring return service to address physician shortage in underserved areas. For Filipino medical students.
• STUFAPS (Student Financial Assistance Programs) Comprehensive platform offering multiple scholarship and grant programs including BPMSP, CMSPC, GMS-SUCs, CoScho, EASE, STATIS, KOLAR, MSRS, MTP, SPISI, SCHOLAR, and ACEF-GIAHEP. For Filipino tertiary students.
• CHED TANAW Interactive Dashboard Interactive dashboard providing information on Philippines' 2,355 Higher Education Institutions for AY 2025-2026, including geographic distribution and opportunities for students and educators.
• UniFAST (Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education) Attached government agency established under RA 10687 to consolidate, improve, and expand all government-funded financial assistance programs for tertiary education. For Filipino tertiary students.
• SIBOL: Student Technology Business Incubation Program for Agri-Aqua Sector PHP120-million program providing funding, mentorship, and technical assistance to student-led startups in the agri-aqua sector across 24 state universities and colleges. For student innovators in HEIs.
• Teacher Education Scholarship Program (TESP) P103-million scholarship program implemented with Teacher Education Council to upgrade the nation's teaching force. For aspiring and current teachers.
• AHEAD Grant (Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students) Financial assistance program designed to ease the financial burden on allied health students completing mandatory clinical and field-based training.
• ETEEAP (Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program) Program helping returning OFWs and individuals earn college degrees through online enlistment system and recognition of prior learning.
• HUSAY (Higher Education Upskilling and Study for Advancement of Staff and Faculty) Program offering capacity building on AI-mediated technologies, leadership development, and specialized training for SUC and LUC staff and faculty.
• Free Higher Education (Republic Act 10931) Free tuition and 13 other school fees for students in State Universities and Colleges and Local Universities and Colleges under Republic Act 10931.
• Project PAG-IBIG (Parents' Access to Growth through Inclusive, Balanced, and Innovative Guidance) Community childcare support program launched with 81 State Universities and Colleges to provide guidance services for student parents.
• eCAV PH (Electronic Community Assistance and Verification) Electronic platform for community assistance and verification services managed by CHED.
• Foreign Scholarship and Training Program (FSTP) Component of Official Development Assistance offering degree and non-degree courses through partnerships with TICA, JICA, KOICA, Thailand, Korea, Hungary, China, Brunei, SEAMEO, and others.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free tuition and 13 other school fees covered for students in SUCs and LUCs
• +3 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Department of Health (DOH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026Strengthened partnership to build future-ready healthcare workforce as part of Universal Health Care Act implementation. Also involved in endorsing MSRS graduates for return service.
• Department of Education (DepEd)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026Pioneering scholarship program to strengthen school mental health support through expansion of guidance and counseling experts.
• Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026Expanded scholarship opportunities for children of coconut farmers' families.
• 81 State Universities and CollegescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Launch of Project PAG-IBIG (Parents' Access to Growth through Inclusive, Balanced, and Innovative Guidance) nationwide to set new standard for community childcare.
• World BankcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 May 2026Partnership for comprehensive functional review of CHED's structure, staffing, and core functions to ensure alignment with the Commission's mandate and evolving responsibilities. Initial findings discussed in May 2026.
• Department of Tourism (DOT)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 May 2026Joint Tourism Start-Up Challenge awarding P15 million to student start-ups focused on sustainable and community-centered tourism.
• University of AdelaideminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Strengthened partnership to provide Philippine medical school faculty with world-class training on simulation-based medical education.
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2026Joint signing of Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 11551 mandating integration of labor education into tertiary education curriculum and TVET schools.
• Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2026Trifocalized education coordination for labor education integration in HEIs and TVET schools.
• Teacher Education Council (TEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 April 2026P103 Million Teacher Education Scholarship Program (TESP) to upgrade the nation's teaching force.
• Philippine Board of InvestmentsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 April 2026Higher education mission to Australia pushing for transnational education collaboration with Australian universities.
• People's Television Network, Inc. (PTV4)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 April 2026Strategic MOU between Mindanao State University (MSU) and PTV4 for information documentation and dissemination supported by CHED.
• Professional Regulations Commission (PRC)coreTechnology or Integration · 10 April 2026Partnership to create new LET specialization components and quality assure programs with licensure examinations in SUCs and LUCs.
• Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Strategic partnership to provide financial assistance and expanded access to higher education for returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through ETEEAP.
• Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2026Transnational higher education partnership with University of Santo Tomas (UST) offering a dual-degree program in design to elevate local talent to the global stage.
• Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 March 2026Partnership to establish clear guidelines for efficient utilization of Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF) to advance tourism education.
• LandBank of the PhilippinesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2026Partnership to speed up scholarship and grant releases to students across the country.
• Department of Science and Technology (DOST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026SDG Action Summit: Higher Education, Science, and Technology convened to strengthen collaboration toward achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2026Project ASCEND (Accelerated Social Work Credentialing and Equivalency for National Development) - landmark partnership to professionalize the nation's social workforce.
• Bangsamoro ParliamentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 November 2025Technical working group formation to harmonize education policies between national agencies (DepEd, CHED) and the Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education.
• Cambodia Ministry of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 September 2025Partnership in higher education to strengthen academic exchanges and regional collaboration following President Marcos' state visit to Cambodia.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University Grants Commission (India): Statutory body regulating Indian universities and higher education institutions, with comparable mandate to set standards, fund institutions, and coordinate central/state oversight — the closest structural counterpart to CHED in a major emerging-market higher education system.
• Higher Education Commission (Pakistan): Pakistan's federal regulator and funder of universities, established by statute with authority over curriculum, quality assurance, and scholarships — comparable to CHED in its combined regulatory and fund-disbursement role.
• Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA, Australia): Australia's national higher education quality assurance and regulatory agency, focused on registration, accreditation, and standards — directly comparable to CHED's quality assurance and program authorization functions.
• Office for Students (OfS, UK): England's regulator of higher education, with statutory powers over registration, fees, quality, and student outcomes — comparable to CHED in regulating tuition policy, institutional standards, and access frameworks.
• Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA, Philippines): Philippine government agency co-responsible for technical-vocational education and training, working alongside CHED on RA 11551 (labor education integration) — a direct sister agency with overlapping regulatory scope in tertiary-level provision.
• Department of Education (DepEd, Philippines): Philippine agency governing K-12 basic education, coordinating with CHED on transitions, scholarship pipelines, and the Bangsamoro TWG — a direct sister agency jointly shaping the Philippine education continuum.
• Department of Higher Education and Training (South Africa): South Africa's national ministry/regulator for post-school education and training, combining funding, policy, and quality assurance functions — a structural peer to CHED in a federal-like system with public and private HEIs.
• Council for Higher Education (Israel): Israel's statutory planning and budgeting body for higher education, advising the government on recognition, funding, and quality — comparable to CHED's combined planning, funding, and recognition mandate.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Department of Education: U.S. federal education authority with much broader K-12 and postsecondary oversight; comparable only at the level of federal-level higher education policy and student aid administration, not as a direct tertiary regulator.

Others

• ASEAN University Network (AUN): ASEAN-wide network of leading universities that CHED is actively engaging through the High-Level Policy Dialogue — a regional ecosystem peer rather than a regulator, but central to CHED's internationalization agenda.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/phched
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@chedofficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/PhCHED.gov
• Instagraminstagram.com/chedphofficial
• TikToktiktok.com/@chedphofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/commission-on-higher-education

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Commission on Higher Education