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 Ateneo Scholarship Guide: Types, Benefits, and How to Qualify

Managing The Test, Thoughtful Resources, Timely Reminders

Ateneo de Manila University Scholarship Programs: A Complete Guide

Getting into Ateneo de Manila University is an achievement in itself, but earning a scholarship to study there is a life-changing opportunity. From academic and merit scholarships to financial aid and athletic grants, Ateneo offers a range of scholarship programs that make its holistic Jesuit education more accessible to students from all walks of life.

If you’re planning to take the Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET), it’s important to understand that your test results may do more than just get you admitted. They may also help you qualify for scholarships that cover tuition, fees, and even living expenses.

Merit and Academic Scholarships

Ateneo Freshman Merit Scholarship (AFMS)

The Ateneo Freshman Merit Scholarship is awarded to the top 50 applicants from local private, public, and science high schools, as well as international senior high schools. This prestigious scholarship is based on a combination of:

  • ACET performance

  • Applicant ranking

  • Leadership experience in senior high school

AFMS recipients are granted:

  • 100% tuition and fees coverage

  • ₱50,000 annual allowance

  • Freedom to choose any undergraduate degree program

These scholars are recognized as individuals who show exceptional promise, both in academics and leadership, and are expected to contribute meaningfully to the Ateneo community and to the nation.

Director’s List Scholarship

This scholarship is given to 150 outstanding applicants who performed excellently in the ACET and stood out academically and in co-curricular activities during high school.

Scholars receive:

  • ₱100,000 annual scholarship grant

  • Applicable to any undergraduate course

Valedictorian and Salutatorian Scholarships

Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, SJ Science Academic Scholarship

Granted to Valedictorians and Salutatorians from science high schools.

  • Valedictorians receive a 100% tuition and fees scholarship

  • Salutatorians receive a 50% tuition and fees scholarship

Fr. Thomas B. Steinbugler, SJ Scholarship

Awarded to Valedictorians and Salutatorians from Jesuit high schools.

  • Valedictorians are granted 100% tuition and fees coverage

  • Salutatorians receive 50% tuition coverage

Jose P. Rizal Academic Scholarship

This scholarship is given to Valedictorians and Salutatorians from public senior high schools who are admitted to Ateneo and have outstanding ACET results.

  • With certification from the high school principal:

    • Valedictorians receive a 100% tuition and fees scholarship

    • Salutatorians receive a 50% tuition and fees scholarship

Financial Aid and the Magis Scholarship

Financial Aid Grants

For over six decades, Ateneo has supported students who show academic potential but face financial constraints. Financial Aid scholarships are available for all degree programs and may include:

  • 100% / 75% / 50% / 25% tuition and fees

  • Book allowance

  • Food and transportation allowance

  • Dormitory assistance

Eligibility is based on:

  1. Demonstrated financial need

  2. Strong academic performance

  3. Commitment to community service and leadership potential

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, even before receiving admission results. Admission decisions are made independently of financial aid applications.

Magis Scholarship

The Magis Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship awarded to the most financially challenged but promising Financial Aid applicants. Open to incoming college students from across the country, this scholarship reflects Ateneo’s mission to make quality education accessible.

Scholarship benefits include:

  • 100% tuition and fees for any 4- or 5-year course

  • Food and living allowance

  • Books, printing, and school supplies allowance

  • On-campus dormitory or transportation support

  • Miscellaneous allowance for other needs

  • Round-trip airfare every semester (if applicable)

  • Laptop and mobile phone provision

Each year, one Magis Scholar is selected from NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Only those who qualify for Financial Aid are considered.

Other Scholarships and Financial Aid Programs

  • Athletic Scholarships – For varsity athletes with exceptional skill and discipline

  • Scholarships for Women – For female students, particularly in underrepresented fields

  • Government and Private Scholarships – Includes grants from DOST, CHED, and private foundations in partnership with Ateneo

These programs help widen access to Ateneo’s transformative education for students with different strengths and backgrounds.

Why Academic Excellence and ACET Performance Both Matter

Your ACET score isn’t just a measure of your readiness for Ateneo, it can also be the key to unlocking some of the university’s most prestigious scholarships. Programs like the AFMS, Director’s List Scholarship, and Jose P. Rizal Academic Scholarship are awarded to students who rank among the top scorers in the ACET.

But strong entrance test results aren’t the only factor. Your performance in senior high school, especially academic consistency, leadership involvement, and graduating as a Valedictorian or Salutatorian, also plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for scholarships. These achievements show a sustained commitment to excellence, which Ateneo recognizes through automatic or merit-based awards.

If you’re aiming to receive a scholarship that covers tuition and even living expenses, it’s important to prepare not just for the ACET, but for overall academic success throughout high school.

Choose a Trusted Review and Tutorial Center to Reach Your Goals

Success in Ateneo’s admission and scholarship process doesn’t happen by chance, it’s built on a foundation of discipline, strategy, and the right support system. That’s why thousands of high-achieving students trust AHEAD, the country’s leading and most trusted provider of both ACET review programs and high school tutorials.

With AHEAD, you don’t just prepare for the exam, you build the academic habits and subject mastery that make you stand out as a top student.

AHEAD offers:

  • Expert instructors with a proven track record

  • Updated ACET-specific review materials and strategies

  • Realistic mock exams to simulate the test experience

  • High-quality tutorials to support performance in Math, English, Science, and more

Whether you’re working toward becoming your school’s Valedictorian or Salutatorian, or targeting a top-tier ACET score, AHEAD equips you with the tools, techniques, and confidence to succeed.

Begin Your Ateneo Journey with Confidence

If you’re serious about studying at Ateneo and earning a scholarship, start preparing as early as you can. Your performance in high school and the ACET can shape your future, and AHEAD can help you get there.

Visit https://review.ahead.edu.ph to learn more and enroll in our supplementary classes or ACET review program designed for your success.

We’ve also prepared helpful guides to support your journey. Explore our step-by-step blog on how to prepare for the Ateneo College Entrance Test (ACET), and don’t miss our guide to Ateneo college applications to ensure you’re fully ready.

Need 

Sources:

Ateneo de Manila University. (n.d.). College scholarships. Retrieved from https://www.ateneo.edu/college/scholarships

Ateneo de Manila University. (n.d.). Loyola Schools scholarship programs. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/ateneo.edu/loyola-schools-scholarship/scholarships

Ateneo de Manila University. (n.d.). Applying for financial aid. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/ateneo.edu/loyola-schools-scholarship/applying-for-financial-aid

Note: The feature image in this article was downloaded from Freepik.