Special Grants For Solo Parents And Their Children | Philippine Scholarship

Any solo parent whose income falls below the poverty threshold as set by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and subject to the assessment of the DSWD worker in the area shall be eligible for assistance. A solo parent can directly inquire from the Health Services (DOH), Educational Services (CHED, TESDA), Housing (NHA), and Parental Leave (Employer, DOLE, CSC).

A solo parent whose income is above the poverty threshold shall enjoy only limited benefits as flexible work schedule, parental leave and others to be determined by the DSWD. A solo parent employee has the right to vary his/ her arrival and departure time without affecting the core work hours as defined by the employer.

There are over 20 million solo parents in the Philippines. With a growth rate of 30.5% from 2017 to 2018, the Federation of Solo Parents expects the population to upsurge this year. There are many reasons for becoming a solo parent here in the Philippines, some unfortunate, some comes with touching stories.

Whatever the reason is, it is important to recognize the efforts of such parents to rear their children and get through with life’s challenges. The Solo Parent ID is a government enforced ID for solo or single parents that gives them the right for specific government discounts and benefits.

Any single parent in the Philippines can apply for a Solo Parent ID. The RA 8972 identifies a solo parent as any individual who falls under any of the following categories:

A woman who gives birth as a result of rape and other crimes against chastity even without a final conviction of the offender, provided that o keeps and raises the child.

Unmarried mother/ father who has preferred to keep and rear her/ his child/ children instead of having others care for them or give them up to a welfare institution.

Any other person who solely provides parental care and support to a child or children.

Any family member who assumes the responsibility of head of family as a result of the death, abandonment, disappearance or prolonged absence of the parents or solo parent.

A parent left solo or alone with the responsibility of parenthood due to the death of spouse, spouse is detained or is serving sentence for a criminal conviction for at least 1 year, legal separation or de facto separation from spouse for at least 1 year, declaration of nullity or annulment of marriage as decreed by a court or by a church and entrusted with the custody of the children.

RA 8972 or the Solo Parent’s Welfare Act provides for benefits and privileges to solo parents and their children. It aims to develop a comprehensive package of social development and welfare services for solo parents and their children to be carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as the lead agency.

Educational benefits

The DepEd, CHED, and TESDA shall provide the following benefits and privileges. Scholarship programs for qualified solo parents and their children in institutions of basic, tertiary and technical/ skills education

Non-formal education programs appropriate for solo parents and their children

How to apply?

Applicant must secure application form from either DepEd, CHED, and TESDA depending on their need

Submit the duly accomplished application form together with the required documents to the appropriate agency

Attached the following requirement to your application

Solo Parent Identification Card

Barangay Clearance

Birth Certificate

Notice of admission from the school

Original or Certified True Copy of the transcript of record, or the Report Card of the last year the applicant attended school

Read the PDF below for more information of RA 8972

CHED prioritizes solo parents and their children in scholarship programs, which include State scholarship program for high school students and graduating high school students; partial scholarship; Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA); Tulong Dunong; and, Study Now, Pay Later Plan.

GSIS scholarship

GSIS to give scholarship slots to qualified dependents of PWDs, IPs, and solo or single parents. The enhanced GSP’s guidelines allotting 10% of the total program grantees for those belonging to special sectors were issued in support of the national government’s effort to raise the number of college graduates in the country.

Under the program, GSIS shoulders up to P20,000 of the scholars’ actual cost of tuition and miscellaneous fees per semester. They also get a monthly stipend of P2,000. You may obtain the application form from any GSIS branch or download it from the GSIS website. Questions to 02 976 4970 or 02 479 3600 local 3414.

In Cebu, so long as you are a person solely responsible for the upbringing of a child, you are considered a solo parent under this act. It includes those solo parents who are left to care for their children not their own, such as nephews, nieces, or godchildren.

Other benefits

Housing benefits provided with liberal terms of payment on government low cost housing projects.

Medical assistance for solo parents and their children, implemented by the DOH.

DSWD provides solo parents counseling, financial, emergency, medical, and burial assistance, livelihood and skills enhancement, scholarship and educational grants, legal, Philhealth assistance and temporary shelter.

Submit your application to

The application period is from February to April. For further information, solo parents may call CHED’s Office of Student Development and Services at telephone number 02 988 0001 or email [email protected].

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