The best maritime scholarships in the Philippines

A maritime scholarship is a sure way to be employed onboard merchant vessels. This is a sure way to a greener pasture that you want for you and your family. In this blog, we will present golden opportunities for you as we will  lay out here the best maritime scholarship in the Philippines. 

Glad to say that there are plenty of scholarships available in this country. Since we are a major supplier of seafarers, various principals are continuously building their pool of soon-to-be officers via their own scholarship programs.

We’ll list here all the maritime scholarships available throughout the country 

Here are the best maritime scholarships..

PMMA Scholarship

As the premier maritime school in the country, PMMA offers the premier maritime scholarship that goes beyond the its school premises. PMMA alumni came to hold major shipping agencies and government posts around the country.

Backed with full government support and an automatic slot to serve in the Philippine Navy, there’s no denying that this is the ultimate maritime scholarship available.

WHERE TO APPLY: 

PMMA: San Narciso, Zambales

TESTING CENTERS: Nationwide Testing Centers 

Online: pmma.edu.ph

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Male or female, physically fit, natural born Filipino citizen;
  • Single and never been married and has no children out of wedlock;
  • Free from being accused or convicted of any crime against the law and the state;
  • At least 17 years old and not more than 23 years old upon enrollment on August 01;
  • At least High School Graduate; (Grade 12 at current)
  • At least 160 centimeters (5 ft. & 3 in.) for male and 155 centimeters (5 ft. & 1 in.) for female;
  • BMI of less than 25;
  • At least of good academic performance;
  • Has not been enrolled in PMMA.

BENEFITS:

  • A government scholarship;
  • Experience a semi-military lifestyle of leadership environment;
  • Rewarding leadership and training experiences;
  • Travel the world for free while still a cadet;
  • An assured shipboard training onboard international ocean-going vessels;
  • Automatic commissionship in the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard as Ensign (2Lt);
  • Earn a Bachelor’s Degree;
  • 100% employability, immediate hiring by more than thirty (30) partner international and manning companies; and
  • Promising careers in the seafaring industry as master mariners; chief engineers; shipping executives, naval or coast guard officers, educators, trainers in maritime-related industries/institutions

Source: PMMA

RELATED: What is MARINA SRN or Seafarer’s Registration Number

Norwegian Shipowners Association (NSA) Scholarship

A group of Norwegian Shipowners collectively train their officers via this scholarship program. This will enable them to get a pool qualified officers manning their ships.  

WHERE TO APPLY:  

NSA Main Office: 6th Floor, Five E-Com Center Building Pacific Drive Extension (Pacific Drive Entrance) Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City, Metro Manila

University of Cebu – Lapu – Lapu and Mandaue: A.C. Cortes Ave., Looc, Mandaue City

Davao College of Southern Philippines:  Tigatto Road, Buhangin, Davao City

Online: ntcm.com.ph

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • 17 – 23 years old on or before 30 April
  • Graduates of Senior High School (K-12)
  • Existing college students and tertiary level graduates
  • Physically and Mentally fit
  • Natural Born Filipino Citizen
  • Single
  • No derogatory records or was convicted/accused of any crime of moral turpitude.

BENEFITS:

  • free tuition, board and lodging, food and academic materials while in school
  • 1 year guaranteed apprenticeship onboard sponsor companies
  • leadership and character training
  • earn a bachelor’s degree 
  • 100% employability upon graduation

Check out our other articles with in detail information about this scholarship: 

How to avail of NSA Scholarship Program?

UCLM NSA Application: A complete guide

The author is a product of this scholarship and experienced first hand its programs and benefits.  

IMEC Scholarship

The International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) provides another avenue for our aspiring cadets who are planning to enter the maritime profession. With the same aims and objectives of the NSA program, IMEC scholars enjoys full benefits. This includes free tuition, board and lodging, uniform and first class trainings, courtesy of the sponsor companies under IMEC.

WHERE TO APPLY: 

MAAP: Kamaya Point, Brgy. Alas-asin, Mariveles, Bataan

Designated Testing Centers: Nationwide Testing Centers

Online: 

  1. Download and fill up this application form: Cadet-application-form
  2. Submit the form to  [email protected] or post it to IMEC Manila Office IMEC Manila, Suite 502, IMEC Office – 5th Floor Rufino Building, V.A. Rufino Street cor. Ayala Ave., Legaspi Village, Makati City.
  3. Potential scholars are invited for the next stage which is the interview.
  4. First interview will be via IMEC’s partner school. The second interview will be from IMEC representative.
  5. Applicants who get through this stage will need to pass a medical examination before acceptance onto the scheme.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Applicants must be 16-20 years old
  • Original and true copy of high school card with
    at least 85% general average and no grades below 80%
  • Original and photocopy of birth certificate
  • Height must be at least 5’3” for males and 5’ for females
  • 1 pc. 2” x 2” coloured picture

BENEFITS: 

  • free tuition, board and lodging, food and academic materials while in school
  • 1 year guaranteed apprenticeship onboard sponsor companies
  • leadership and character training
  • earn a bachelor’s degree 
  • 100% employability upon graduation
RELATED: A complete guide on how to be a seaman in the Philippines

K-Line Scholarships

According to their website, the scholarship aims to ensure continuous supply of qualified and competent Filipino officers onboard their fleet. They are also committed to monitor the career progress of their scholars in the program. Lastly, they are committed to constantly reviewing the scholarship program in order to meet further requirements by the K Line Group. 

The K Line Scholarship is further divided into three classes:

  1. K Line Scholarship Program (KS Program) – the grant will select BSMT and BSMarE students in the four maritime schools accredited by K Line. These are: PMMA, JBLFMU, UC-METC and Lyceum International Maritime Academy.
  2. “K” Line Mechanical Engineering + Marine Engineering Bridging Program (ME+) – a six-month bridging program with “K” Line’s accredited school VMA Global College, bridging mechanical engineers to become competent marine engineers.
  3. “K” Line Maritime Education Scholarship Program (MESP) – the program selects scholars from different secondary schools in the country and enroll them in the program’s accredited school – Cristal e-College in Bohol. 

Visit their FB page for more information: K Line Scholarships or their website at www.klma.com.ph

NYK – TDG Scholarships

NTMA’s goal is to mold cadets in four year’s time into a responsive, competent and socially committed merchant marine officer.

The Academy is committed to promote the highest standards in maritime education through competency-based curriculum. At NTMA you’ll get quality education with first rate faculty and state-of-the art facilities. (NYK-TDG Website)

WHERE TO APPLY:

TESTING CENTERS: Nationwide Testing Centers (see website)

Online: www.ntma.edu.ph/application

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. High School Graduate or Senior High School Graduate, as applicable, upon enrollment 
    (College level/graduates also welcome to apply) 
  2. Filipino, male and single 
  3. Not older than 22 years of age upon enrollment 
  4. At least 5’4 in height, weighs 45-61 kgs 
  5. Passed the NTMA Recruitment and Selection Process 
  6. Passed the Medical, Dental, Eye and Neuro Psychological Examinations 
  7. Does not have asthma of any kind 

BENEFITS:

  • Guaranteed Shipboard Training with US Dollar monthly allowance
  • Guaranteed Employment onboard NYK Line Vessels
  • “Study Now, Pay Later Program”

MAAP Scholarship

MAAP or Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific was established in 1998 and funded by the nation’s largest maritime union, AMOSUP. 

WHERE TO APPLY: 

TESTING CENTERS: Nationwide Testing Centers (see website)

QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualification Requirements
  1. Male or female, Single
  2. Natural Born Filipino
  3. Physically fit
  4. Morally upright and has no derogatory record
  5. Born from 01-January-1996 to 31-December-2001
  6. Eligible applicants must be any one of the following
    • High School Graduates(old basic education curriculum)
    • College Level
    • Senior High School Graduate/Graduating Student
    • ALS Passer
  7. Minimum height of 5 ft. 4 in. (162.5 cm) for MALE and 5 ft. 2 in. (157.5 cm) for FEMALE applicants
  8. Has a GPA of at least 83%
  9. Has never been officially admitted at MAAP

NOTE: Strictly comply with qualification requirements. Inaccurate records may disqualify an applicant.

BENEFITS:

  1. Scholarship grant
  2. Free board and lodging
  3. Insured while enrolled in the Academy
  4. In-house shipboard training
  5. Personality, character, and leadership development through physical fitness, emotional literacy, NROTC and varied extracurricular activities
  6. Use of modern equipment and facilities
  7. Gainful employment onboard modern vessels of foreign shipping companies

Further reading: Please visit MAAP website.

Other Maritime Scholarship Grants

Various shipping companies and agencies visit notable maritime schools across the country in search of their future officers. 

Some of the shipping companies and agencies that offer scholarships to deserving maritime students in are the following:

1. STOLT
2. AGFI
3. MAERSK
4. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
5. Dalisay Shipping
6. POBAR
7. FIL-STAR MARITIME CORP. MARINE INC.
8. MAGSAYSAY-MITSUI O.S.K.
9. IDEMITSU MARINE CO., LTD
10. PILIPINAS CROWN MARITIME INC.
11. ASTRO SHIPMANAGEMENT, INC.
12. PHOENIX MARITIME CORP.
13. Jubar Shipping Corp.
14. VERITAS MARITIME CORP.
15. ASIANA SHIP MANAGEMENT, INC.
16. MAINE MARINE PHILIPPINES, INC.
17. MECO
18. VENTIS MARITIME CORP.
19. KORNIL
20. HANJIN SHIPPING
21. Great Southern Maritime Services Corporation
22. UNITED OCEAN SHIP MANAGEMENT PTE LTD.
23. EL BURG Ship Management Phils, Inc.
24. CAREER Philippines Ship Management, INC.
25. PTC
26. POMI – V Ships
27. WALLEM Philippines
28. REINIER PACIFIC International Shipping, INC.
29. APL
30. ROYMAR Ship Management U.S. A.
31. RICKMERS GROUP
32. INC – Interorient Navigation Company
33. CARSTEN REHDER
34. CrewCare, Inc.
35. TSAKOS SHIPPING S/A
36. MARYVILLE MANILA, INC.
37. Trans-Asia Shipping
38. Sulpicio
39. Gothong
40. Aboitiz

In addition, there are other scholarship grants that isn’t included in the list due to their numbers. Please contact your school of choice and be informed of the latest events in  your school. 

You surely can’t miss these opportunities. Study hard, focus and the reward will be greater than you will imagine. Goodluck!