The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) is launching this June a new subsidy program that will give ₱15,000 a year to qualifying children of government workers enrolled in college courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The program – officially called the GSIS Subsidy for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Program (GSSP) – opens 1,000 slots nationwide for incoming freshmen starting Academic Year 2026–2027.
For government workers at the lower end of the salary scale, ₱15,000 per academic year won’t cover full tuition at most Philippine colleges, but it can take the edge off the out-of-pocket costs that often derail a student mid-semester: textbooks, lab fees, and daily transportation. GSIS has been running educational assistance programs for dependents of active members since 1998.
GSIS President and General Manager Wick Veloso tied the program to a broader national goal.
“Katulad ng Pangulo, naniniwala ang GSIS na ang edukasyon ay isa sa pinakamahalagang puhunan para sa kinabukasan ng ating bansa (Like the President, GSIS believes education is one of the most important investments for the future of our country),” Veloso said.
Veloso said the program seeks to help children of GSIS members become the next generation of scientists, engineers, technologists, and innovators who will contribute to national development.
GSSP Requirements
The GSSP has a specific set of eligibility conditions. Applicants must satisfy all of the following:
| Parent/Guardian | Child of a GSIS active member with permanent employment status |
| Salary Grade | Parent must be at Salary Grade 15 or below |
| Premium Payments | Parent’s GSIS premium payments must be updated for the past three months |
| Student Status | Incoming first-time college freshman |
| Academic Record | Senior High School General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 90% |
| Course Enrollment | Enrolled in an identified STEM degree program |
| Reserved Slots | 200 of the 1,000 slots (20%) are reserved for applicants from special sectors: Indigenous Peoples (IPs), solo parent families, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and other qualified groups |
Veloso added a broader statement on access to education:
“Ang edukasyon ay hindi pribilehiyo kundi oportunidad na dapat maabot ng bawat Pilipino. Ito ang susi sa tagumpay at sa pagbuo ng mas maunlad na kinabukasan,” Veloso said.
Before applications open, GSIS will run a nationwide orientation for its assigned coordinators covering program guidelines, requirements, application procedures, and the selection process to ensure smooth implementation.
Government employees who want to nominate their children can contact Manager Raymundo Andres Palad or Division Chief Leslie Anne Fangonil of the Corporate Social Advocacies and Public Relations Facilities Department at (02) 8479-3571 or (02) 8479-3572, or email [email protected].
