Supporting Filipino Students Through Their Education

What is the situation in the Philippines?

The economic and social situation in the Philippines is complex, and schooling faces multiple challenges. Poverty can take the form of slums, as it does in Manila and Cebu. Drugs and alcohol circulate everywhere and are a source of insecurity and violence. Rural isolation on the most remote islands creates problems of access to school infrastructure. In urban areas, poverty and corruption are everywhere. Family breakdown is also very common, with many fathers absent. Overcrowded housing (sometimes with up to 10 people in a single room) can lead to emotional and sexual difficulties.

What does it cost to study in the Philippines?

In the Philippines, the average cost of living for a student in higher education at a public institution is €97 per month. At a private university, that figure rises to €156 per month.

Today, student sponsorship alone is no longer enough, leaving an average shortfall of €60 for those studying at public institutions and €130 for those at private ones.

So even though these students have a sponsorship, it isn’t enough to cover their costs. Some manage to make up the gap by working (to the detriment of their studies), thanks to the sacrifices made by their families, or through government grants.

We carried out a survey of a population of 1,254 Filipino sponsored students, with 450 responses. From this data, we found that:

7% work to pay for their studies, earning an average of 5,700 Philippine pesos a month, at the expense of their classes;
13% receive another type of grant (CHED, DOST, etc.) of around 8,000 Philippine pesos a year.

Continuing their studies is therefore jeopardised by a lack of money.

Philippines DREAM 2026 Obala — Students and sponsored children of Children of the Mekong

What do these students need?

The Filipino students we support are motivated, hard-working, and often achieve excellent academic results. But they are held back by one simple obstacle: money. Most of these students live in poverty, support their families financially, must choose between eating or going to class, borrow money from those around them, and consider dropping out to work. They face many expenses: food, school materials, books, and uniforms.

Each month, it is estimated that these young people lack the following amounts to cover their daily costs:

€60 to €75 for those studying at public universities
€119 to €134 for those studying at private universities

Without additional support, the consequences are immediate: students drop out, take up precarious jobs, the cycle of poverty repeats, and the country loses human and professional potential.

How does Children of the Mekong help?

To address this, Children of the Mekong plans to award exceptional monthly grants that will bridge this gap and support students right through to the end of their courses.

This support will take the form of a monthly grant to help the students concerned.

What makes this project so effective?

This project guarantees that the poorest and most motivated Filipino sponsored children can fund their education through to the end of their course, allowing them to focus on their studies with peace of mind.
Awarding a grant also helps to prevent students from dropping out.
The project allows for a personalised approach to each student’s support and provides an essential complement to sponsorship

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Who will benefit from this project?

This study grant set up by Children of the Mekong is a supplementary form of financial support for students facing extreme economic hardship that threatens their ability to continue their studies. This additional grant aims to support motivated young people who are committed to their academic journey, but whose family resources are not enough to cover the essential costs of student life.

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