The MSRS is the “Doktor Para sa Bayan Act” (Republic Act No. 11509) scholarship program that pays tuition and allowances while requiring service in public health after licensure. This government initiative offers full scholarships to deserving Filipino students who aspire to become doctors in an attempt to address the shortage of physicians—especially in remote and underserved areas—by supporting medical education in exchange for mandatory public service after licensure. Through this program, scholars receive free tuition, allowances, and financial support for their medical studies, while contributing to nation-building by serving in government health facilities after passing the Physician Licensure Exam.
This guide details everything you need to know about the MSRS Program—from the requirements to the conditions, procedures, and fees that you need to be aware of.
Program Overview
The MSRS Program is a government-funded scholarship established to produce more doctors, especially in rural and underserved communities, by providing full financial support to qualified Filipino students taking up the Doctor of Medicine program in state universities and colleges (SUCs) or CHED-designated private higher education institutions (PHEIs).
Some of the key features of the MSRS Program include:
- Full Scholarship Coverage: Scholars enjoy:
- Free tuition and other school fees.
- Allowances for books, supplies, uniforms, dorm/boarding, transportation.
- Internship fees and support during mandatory internship.
- Internship and Board Exam Support: The program covers:
- Board review fees, license fees, annual medical insurance, and other education-related living allowances.
- Mandatory Return Service: After passing the Physician Licensure Exam, scholars are required to serve in government hospitals or rural health units—for at least one year for every year of scholarship—to help improve access to healthcare.
- Government Collaboration: The program is jointly implemented by CHED and the Department of Health (DOH), with participating SUCs and partner PHEIs offering the Doctor of Medicine program.
- Priority for Underserved Areas: Scholars are often assigned to their hometowns or provinces lacking government physicians, ensuring equitable distribution of healthcare services nationwide.
Target Beneficiaries
The MSRS Program prioritizes the following individuals and groups:
- Deserving Filipino citizens who wish to pursue the Doctor of Medicine degree.
- Graduates of an appropriate undergraduate program (or INTARMED entrants who have completed the first two years).
- Students from low-income families or those who cannot afford the high cost of medical education.
- Students residing in remote, rural, or underserved areas where access to healthcare is limited.
- Scholars from municipalities or provinces without government physicians—they are prioritized for placement after graduation.
- Graduating pre-med students who have passed the NMAT and the medical school’s entrance requirements.
- Existing medical students enrolled in participating SUCs or CHED-designated private HEIs who meet the program’s qualifications and academic requirements.
- Individuals committed to serve in the public health sector, especially in government hospitals or local health offices after passing the Physician Licensure Exam.
Qualifications & Conditions
The following are the required qualifications and conditions that all interested applicants and qualified beneficiaries must meet:
Qualifications
- Filipino citizen living in the Philippines.
- Graduating student or graduate of an approved prerequisite undergraduate program (or INTARMED entrants after year 2).
- Passed the medical school entrance exam and met CHED/DOH/SUC/PHEI admission requirements.
- Obtained the NMAT score mandated by CHED and required by the SUC/PHEI where the student intends to enroll.
Conditions for Grant of Scholarship (For Scholars)
- Sign the CHED/DOH prescribed agreement stating scholarship terms.
- Carry full subject load each semester; do not underload.
- Finish the Doctor of Medicine program within the time frame set by the school, subject to retention policies (leaves/deferment allowed for valid reasons).
- Undertake mandatory internship in the SUC/PHEI base hospital (or DOH-accredited public hospital if no slots).
- Take the board exam within one year after completing mandatory internship.
- Render the return service described under Section 8 of RA 11509.
Documentary Requirements
Applicants must prepare and submit the following documents when applying for the program:
- Duly accomplished MSRS application form (available from CHED, DOH, or the participating SUC/PHEI).
- Letter of intent expressing the applicant’s desire to avail of the scholarship and willingness to render the required return service.
- Certified true copy of birth certificate (issued by PSA).
- Certificate of residency from the barangay or local government unit (LGU).
- Official NMAT result meeting the score required by CHED and the chosen medical school.
- Certified true copy of Transcript of Records (TOR) or certification of graduation from an appropriate pre-med course (for new entrants).
- Certificate of good moral character from the previous school attended.
- Medical certificate of physical and mental fitness to study medicine.
- Notice of admission or proof of acceptance from an accredited SUC or CHED-designated PHEI offering the Doctor of Medicine program.
- Income documents of parents or guardians (e.g., latest ITR, Certificate of Indigency, or Certificate of Tax Exemption) to establish financial need.
- Recent 2×2 ID photos (as required by the institution).
- Other documents that may be required by CHED, DOH, or the SUC/PHEI (such as community involvement certificates or barangay clearance).
Note: Always verify with your chosen SUC or partner medical school because document requirements may vary slightly per institution or CHED regional office.
Procedures
To apply for the program, here are the steps you need to follow:
Step 1. Study and plan now.
Register for and prepare for the NMAT. Check NMAT dates each year.
Step 2. Pick target schools.
Find SUCs or CHED-designated partner PHEIs that offer Doctor of Medicine in your region. (CHED may designate partners where no SUC exists.)
Step 3. Pass entrance exams.
Apply to the med schools you’ve chosen and pass their entrance exams and admission steps.
Step 4. Watch CHED/SUC announcements for MSRS calls.
CHED, DOH, and partner schools release MSRS application dates, forms, and instructions (follow the school’s student affairs/financial assistance office).
Step 5. Prepare documents.
Prepare the required documents according to the exact checklist from CHED or the SUC/PHEI.
Step 6. Apply & sign the scholarship agreement if chosen.
Read the agreement carefully — it contains the return service and repayment rules.
Step 7. Study, finish internship, take the board within 1 year after internship, and be ready to serve.
Keep copies of all MSRS-related paperwork and stay in touch with CHED/SUC for monitoring.
Who Runs the Program
The program is implemented as follows:
- CHED and DOH implement and supervise the MSRS;
- SUCs and partner PHEIs enroll and monitor scholars;
- DOH/CHED determine allocation and placement of scholars and doctors.
Disqualifications & Termination
Before signing the acceptance documents for the program, here are some of the things you need to know, including the risks:
- Scholarship ends and full repayment is required if you accept another scholarship while receiving MSRS benefits.
- Scholarship ends and repayment required if you fail to meet academic standards or complete the course on time without valid cause.
- If you fail to pass the PLE within five years from completion of internship, the grant may be terminated (there are alternative public service options prorated to years owed).
- Gross misconduct while a scholar that harms the school or community will terminate the scholarship and trigger repayment.
Mandatory Return Service After You Pass the PLE
In exchange for the benefits offered by the program, you are expected to serve as follows:
- After passing the Physician Licensure Exam and getting a license, you will be integrated into the public health system through DOH and assigned to a government health office/hospital.
- Service length = at least 1 year for every scholarship year availed.
- Scholars from towns with no government physicians are prioritized to serve in their hometown.
- Scholars must render this service within 6 years (for 4-year programs) or 7 years (for 5-year programs) from passing the PLE.
- DOH may require service anywhere during public health emergencies.
- Scholars receive appropriate salary and benefits while serving.
Sanctions for Refusing or Failing To Do the Required Return Service
Failing to satisfy the required return service means having to:
- Pay two times the full cost of the scholarship and related benefits if you refuse or fail to render mandatory return service (exceptions for severe illness).
- PRC may deny license renewal if penalties are not paid.
Practical Tips
Here are some important notes that interested applicants must keep in mind to ensure successful application:
- If your family income is low, highlight this in your application or when coordinating with SUC/PHEI — many MSRS slots are meant for underprivileged but deserving students.
- Keep strong grades and follow retention rules — losing the scholarship means full repayment obligations.
- If you worry about being assigned far from family, note that the law prioritizes placement in hometowns and underserved municipalities (especially towns without government physicians).
Where to Get Official Info
For more information, you may also check the following:
- Republic Act No. 11509 (Doktor Para sa Bayan / MSRS)
- Implementing Rules & Regulations (IRR) for RA 11509