on Hi Re oe * ‘epublic of the Philippines OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT feereus COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION RELEASE § % CHED Cerwat once cS “@, McORDS secrion © CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER No. 14 Series of 2023 SUBJECT: AMENDED CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER (CMO) NO. 8, SERIES OF 2023 ENTITLED “GUIDELINES ON THE STUDENT MONETARY ASSISTANCE FOR RECOVERY AND TRANSITION (SMART) PROGRAM” In accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994," by virtue of Commission end Banc Resolution No. 547-2023 dated September 4, 2023, and for the efficient and effective implementation of the Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Program in various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) nationwide, ‘supporting the grant of the one-time financial assistance to students in undergraduate programs. This grant will assist them in the completion of their education/attainment of academic success as the world moves on from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; thus, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), issues the following amendments, to fully reflect the intention of the Program and to further promote the welfare of the grantees, to read as follows: 1. PROGRAM TITLE The financial assistance established by these Guidelines shall be known as the Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Grant. 1. OBJECTIVES The objective of the SMART Grant program is to provide a one-time fixed grant of twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000) to qualified students enrolled in any undergraduate program for Academic Year (AY) 2023-2024 only, as one of the strategies under the National Employment Recovery Strategy, which is increasing success of students to graduate through scholarship, despite effects of pandemic. The amount may be used in support for the cost of higher education which includes educational expenses and cost of living allowance. ill, FUNDING SOURCE Funding for the SMART grant shall be sourced from the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF). Higher Education Development 9. iP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines Website: ww ched gov.ph Tel. Nos.. 441-1177, 385-4391, 441-1169, 441-1149, 44-1170, 441-1216, 392-5296, 441-1220 '441-1228, 988-0002, 441-0750, 441-1254, 441-1235, 441-1255, 441-8910, 441-1171, 352-1871vu. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS ‘An applicant for this grant must be: 1. AFilipino citizen; 2. With @ combined household (parents/guardian) gross annual income not exceeding Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP400,000.00); 3. Enrolled in any curricular year level of hisiher first undergraduate degree in any CHED-recognized bachelor's degree programs offered by Private Higher Education institutions (PHEIs) or State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)/Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) with Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) this First Semester, AY 2023-2024; and 4, The applicant must NOT be a recipientigrantee/beneficiary of any national ‘government funded scholarship or educational grant within AY 2023-2024 except the Free Higher Education (FHE) program under Section 4 of RA. No, 10931 DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must submit the SMART Application Form together with the following supporting documents: 1. Certified true copy of Certificate of Registration/Enrolment (CORs/COES) as proof of enroliment; 2. Proa of income as evidenced by ANY one (1) of the following Certificate of indigency from their Barangay: B. Certificate of Tax Exemption from the Bureau of intemal Revenue (BIR); c. Case Study Report from City/Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office; and d. 2022 BIR Income Tax Return (ITR) showing a combined household (parents/egal guardian) gross annual income not exceeding Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (PhP400,000.00). APPLICATION PROCEDURES, VALIDATION, VERIFICATION AND ISSUANCE OF NOTICE OF AWARD 1, Students shall submit an accomplished SMART Application Form (Annex1) together with the required documents to CHED-Office of Student Development and Services (OSDS). 2. CHED OSDS shall a) Review the application documents; b) Prepare the consolidated list of student-applicants (Annex2);, c) Prepare the masterlist of grantees with the corresponding award number (Annex4): d) Notify the concerned CHEDRO on the list of qualified intees; and ) Provide Notices of Award (NOA) to grantees (Annex3). PROCEDURES OF PAYMENT 1. Transfer of funds from CHED Central Office (CO) to CHEDROs - The release of funds to CHEDROs shall be based on the list of grantees endorsed by OSDS. Page 2 of 8vill, IK. 2. Transfer of funds from CHEDRO to grantees — CHEDRO processes the financial assistance of grantees by issuing a cheque. Upon claiming of cheque by grantee, he/she must present a valid school ID oF any government-issued ID. ADMINISTRATIVE COST The Administrative Cost (AC) of One percent (1%) of the total SMART grants shall be equally shared by the CHED-Office of Student Development and Services and — Regional Offices to cover the following expenses: hiring of project technical staff or job order/payment of overtime services, meetings, consultations, orientations, general assembly, office supplies and materials, ‘communication allowance, monitoring, transporiation/travel and other incidental expenses. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OF IMPLEMENTERS 4. OSDS shall: a) Request for SARO and NCA with DBM; b) Conduct orientation on the implementation of these guidelines and other relevant activities; ©) Prepare request and recommend to HEDFS the Transfer of Funds to concerned CHEDRO: 4) Act in cases of replacement of award; @) Gather and consolidate disbursement reports from CHEDROs on the implementation of SMART; ) Submit reports to the Commission and other concerned agencies; and Q) Maintain a database for SMART grantees. 2. CHED Regional Office shall: a) Obligate and disburse financial benefits of grantees per semester upon receipt of funds; b) Maintain an updated regional database of SMART grantees and submit the same to OSDS; ©) Submit to concerned offices the periodic reports on the physical/financial utilization under the SMART. REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE In case the applicant is found to be not qualified, replacement may be allowed, before issuance of NCA with DBM. INTERPRETATION CLAUSE All doubts in the implementation, interpretation, and construction of the provisions of these Guidelines shall be resolved in favor of adeserving SMART grantee and the optimized utilization of government resources in education. Page 3 of 8xi, xi, XIV. RESOLUTION OF ISSUES Interpretation of the provisions of this CMO, including cases not covered herein, shall be referred to the CHED Legal and Legislative Service for resolution. TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY The agencies concerned shall adopt a strict policy on transparency and accountability in the disbursement of funds and shall be governed by existing and relevant laws. ‘SEPARABILITY CLAUSE If any part or provision of this CMO is deciared void or unconstitutional by operation of law or rules and regulations, the same shall apply only to that ‘specific provision and the remaining clauses/ provisions shall subsist and remain valid and enforceable. EFFECTIVITY AND TERMINATION ‘These revised guidelines amend CMO 8, series of 2023 and shall take effect immediately. For proper guidance and strict compliance of all concern Signed this 6thday of September 2023 in Quezon City, Phil SGD. S J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA Ill, DPA Chairman Commission on Higher Education Page 4 of 8(er aot am 12823 newem (NOT FOR SALE) ANNEX 1 PERSONALINFORMATION ‘Last Nae) pusewienson any le Je (Frat Name) i ome oie rons rae Nao |e caamnese Nae a Senet fs ne le emt aaimee | es at y PERSONAL INFORMATION ee) apteawaer 15 Asames censton emetoer Asma ym, pom spect be ory steno cba DAD BrnawsDumiiang Papa owen ube (¥en) [ine aabmer meee 7 STorg ah se Cover ie Tyee ‘Grae Pat ORGSCY nore cert that oregon statements are tus are corect Any maintormon g wtcairg of niormabon wl automat dqualty me tom the "Gchouranp Pragya lam wang w roun te tani Danas Yocewes sch Wormaton © decovrad er a'copance OF aware rey express my consent fhe Commision on Higher Education to cect record. omanize,updae & most. reve, consul. use, consciate ‘rane oF Soniel my persona data ex part of my ration | nreby afm my "robe trmed, fo witrer my persond deta ond be retin rcs ean Pusu to he provatons ete Repub Aci M1017 othe Prapine. ata Prcy ht of 2017 and carrenperng mpemertng Rises ane Ropu ‘obertto preresing. aces ane ret Page Sof 8CONSOLIDATED LIST OF SMART APPLICANTS. First Semester, AY 2023-2024 No, ‘Name Sex Permanent Home Address HEL | Type of | Bachelor's Degree | Current last Name | First Name | Middle Name | Suffix Bray/Street | Town/City | Province | District HEL Program Year | (Private/ Level | suc/Luc) Z | 2. I 3. | z 4 % : I ui Sepa 5 | Sea an 6. | | I 2. = | 2. Fea et 1 9. a a [ 10. % ap oa 2 ce B f a 4 | és 15. ‘Wale Tobe sibmiedn FOF and Excel Fe) Prepared: Reviewed and Certified Correct: ‘Approved: CHED Evaluator Chief EPS. OSDS Director Name and Signature Name and Signature Name and Signature Page 6 of 8ANNEX Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION OFFICE OF STUDENT DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES Date ‘STUDENT MONETARY ASSITANCE FOR RECOVERY AND TRANSITION (SMART) PROGRAM NOTICE OF AWARD (NOA) NAME OF GRANTEE Address: Dear Congratulations from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)! We are pleased to inform you that you qualified as a grantee under SMART Program with Award No. ‘As such, you are entitled to receive a one-time fixed grant of twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000), valid for first semester, Academic Year (AY) 2023-2024. You are advised to constantly coordinate and communicate with OSDS and concerned CHEDRO. regarding any concem relative to your grant, Very truly yours, Director 1V (Please return this part to OSDS) ‘The OSDS Director Director 1V Address: ‘Sir/Madam: Please be informed that | a resident of with Contact/Mobile No. taking up (course name), year level at (name of ‘School, for First Semester, Academic Year 2023-2026, Very truly yours, (Signature Over Printed Name of the Grantee) Page 7 of 8ANNEX COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION MASTERLIST OF SMART GRANTEES: First Semester, AY 2023-2024 No. | Award Name Sex Permanent Home Address HEI | Type of | Bachelor's | Current | Financial Number Hel Degree Year | Grant (Private/ | Program Level ee pa x suc/Luc) | Last Name | First Name | Middle Name | Suffix | 1 | | 2 z a naa . ae nee 3. | 3 | af a 1 6 _ Be Z SESE ae zs x 8. Fe + ae 2 9. x 10. Sag a Tana ‘Wale Tobe submited in Rar and sot copies ung Exc torat) Prepared: Reviewed and Certified Correct: Approved by: CHED Evaluator Chief EPS OSDS Director Name and Signature Name and Signature Name and Signature Page 8 of 8