Education is a parent’s greatest gift to their child. And with the rising cost of tuition, parents start saving up as early as when their child is born. That’s why the free higher education law comes as a welcome change. Especially for parents whose kids are going to college soon.
With the law set to take effect this coming 2018-2019 school year, here are some guidelines and information directly from CHED.
What is the free higher education law?
Republic Act 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Education Act, seeks to provide free education for students enrolled in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs).
According to the law, all Filipino students enrolled in SUCs, LUCs and technical-vocational schools do not have to pay any tuition and other school fees.
These exemptions include the following:
- library fees
- computer fees
- laboratory fees
- school ID fees
- athletic fees
- admission fees
- development fees
- guidance fees
- handbook fees
- entrance fees
- registration fees
- medical and dental fees
- cultural fees
For those students enrolled in vocational schools, they will also get the following benefits:
- consumables
- cost of utilities
- cost of facilities, equipment and tools maintenance
- honorarium of trainers
- living allowance
- miscellaneous fees
- National Competency Assessment fee
- instructional materials allowance
- starter toolkit
Those who are enrolled in private schools can also opt to apply for a tertiary education subsidy, and the government will also offer a student loan program.
Students still need to study hard and get good grades
CHED officer-in-charge Prospero De Vera III shared that students who will get free tuition need to meet the standards of the school they’re enrolled in.
“This is not a license to accept everyone to universities and colleges. This is for students who are in good standing, meaning they passed the admission and retention requirements of the universities, they finish their degree on time and they are enrolled in the required number of units per year,” he shares.
40 billion pesos has been allocated for the law, and hopefully this will result in more Filipino students being able to graduate tertiary education.
Source: GMA Network
READ: Free college tuition to start in June according to CHED