a. Free Higher Education

An act promoting universal access to quality tertiary education by providing free tuition and other school fees in State Universities and Colleges, Local Universities and Colleges, and State-Run Technical-Vocational Institutions, establishing the Tertiary Education Subsidy and Student Loan Program, strengthening the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education, and appropriating fund therefore,” as stated in the title of the Law.

Who can avail?

Starting AY 2018-2019, all Filipino undergraduates enrolled in SUCs and CHED-recognized LUCs will enjoy free tuition, miscellaneous, and other school fees, subject to the ff.

• Pass/meet the admission and retention policies of the institution (no age or financial requirements);
• No previous undergraduate degree; and
• Not overstaying at the college level (e.g., maximum residency rule plus one-year grace period as provided by law)

Please visit the official website of Commission on Higher Education (CHED)

b. Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES)

The TES is a grant-in-aid program under Republic Act 10931 to help qualified disadvantaged students and those residing and studying in cities and municipalities without public universities to support their studies. The TES-1 covers the tuition and other school fees in private HEIs while TES-2 is for education-related expenses and allowance for room and board costs. TES also offers an additional subsidy worth P30,000 to TES beneficiaries with disabilities, which is the TES-3A category.

For SUCs, LUCs LGU-run TVIs and TESDA TTIs

• Allowance for books, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses, including a reasonable allowance for the documented rental or purchase of personal computer or laptop, and other education-related expenses;
• Allowance for room and board costs incurred by the student.
• *PWD students will be given additional allowance to cover expenses such as special services, personal assistance, transportation, equipment and supplies that are reasonably incurred. (Section 23-d IRR of RA 10931)

Who can avail?

• The priority beneficiaries for the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) are:
• Continuing ESGP-PA scholars in the SUCs effective AY 2018-2019;
• Students who are part of households included in the Listahanan 2.0, ranked according to the estimated per capita household income; and
• Students not part of the Listahanan 2.0, ranked according to estimated per capita household income based on submitted documentation of proof of income to be determined by the UniFAST Board;
• Provided, further, that such prioritization shall not apply to Filipino students in cities and municipalities with no existing SUC or LUC campus.

c. Tulong Dunong Program (TDP)

CHED TDP Tulong Dunong program aims to provide financial assistance to qualified and deserving students. This is intended for the ongoing grantees and new applicants who are enrolled or will enroll in CHED-recognized programs of Private Higher Education (Private HEIs) or State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)/ Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) with Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC).

Please visit the official website of Commision on Higher Education (CHED) or go to CHED Regional Office