QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 10931)
RA 10931 is known as the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.” It declares quality education as an inalienable right of all Filipinos and the policy of the State to protect and promote students’ rights to quality education at all levels, making tertiary education accessible through appropriate steps.
“Cost of Tertiary Education” includes: (1) tuition and other school fees, (2) educational expenses, and (3) the cost of living allowance.
All Filipino students currently enrolled at effectivity or enrolling thereafter in courses leading to a bachelor’s degree, certificate degree, or comparable undergraduate degree in SUCs and LUCs are exempt from tuition and other school fees for units enrolled, provided they pass entrance examinations and other admission/retention requirements.
SUCs and LUCs must create a mechanism allowing students with financial capacity to voluntarily opt out of the tuition and other school fees subsidy or make a contribution to the school. SUCs/LUCs must report contributions/tuition collected from these students to CHED.
The governing boards of SUCs and LUCs determine the amount based on the projected number of enrollees for each academic year; this becomes the primary factor in computing the annual proposed budget of SUCs and, for LUCs, the CHED, and serves as baseline for the annual National Expenditure Program (NEP) by DBM.
Section 5 provides free tuition and other school fees for all Filipino students enrolled in post-secondary TVET leading to nondegree certificate or diploma programs offered by state-run TVIs under TESDA, subject to the requirement that they satisfy admission/other applicable conditions as set by the TVIs.
In SUCs and LUCs, ineligible students include: (1) those who already attained a bachelor’s degree or comparable undergraduate degree from any HEI (public or private); (2) those who fail to comply with the admission and retention policies of the SUC/LUC; and (3) those who fail to complete their bachelor’s degree or comparable undergraduate degree within one year after the period prescribed in their program.
In state-run TVIs, ineligible students include: (1) those who obtained a bachelor’s degree or those who have received a certificate or diploma for a technical-vocational course equivalent to at least NC III and above; and (2) those who fail in any course enrolled in during the program.
Students ineligible for free tertiary education shall be charged tuition and other school fees: determined by the boards of SUCs and LUCs; and for state-run TVIs, determined by TESDA.
TES is a subsidy established to support the cost of tertiary education or any part/portion thereof for Filipino students enrolled in undergraduate-post-secondary programs of SUCs, LUCs, private HEIs, and all TVIs. It is administered by the UniFAST Board.
Priority is given to: (a) students included in Listahanan 2.0 (NHTS-PR), ranked according to estimated per capita household income; and (b) students not in Listahanan 2.0, ranked based on estimated per capita household income based on proof of income submitted, to be determined by the UniFAST Board. The prioritization does not apply to students in cities/municipalities with no existing SUC or LUC campus.
TES may cover tuition and other school fees in private HEIs and private/LGU-operated TVIs equivalent to those of the nearest SUC or state-run TVI in their area, and allowances for books/supplies/transportation/miscellaneous personal expenses (including documented rental/purchase of a personal computer/laptop), room and board, disability-related expenses, and one-time costs for first professional credentials or qualifications for programs requiring professional license/certification.
Repayment starts once the beneficiary secures gainful employment with compensation/earnings reaching the Compulsory Repayment Threshold (CRT). Repayment is effected by incorporating a portion of the loan amount or a percentage into monthly SSS or GSIS contributions, based on a reasonable schedule of repayment and interest rates formulated by the UniFAST Board.
CRT is the earnings threshold that triggers payment. It is set and reviewed by the UniFAST Board and adjusted when necessary.
It is unlawful for any person, SUC/LUC, or state-run TVI to collect tuition and other school fees from qualified students, except when students voluntarily opt out or contribute. Violation is penalized by imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than one year or a fine of not less than ₱20,000 but not more than ₱100,000, or both; for universities/colleges, the penalty applies to the president, treasury, or responsible officer/person.
All SUCs, LUCs, and state-run TVIs must submit to CHED (for SUCs/LUCs) and to TESDA (for state-run TVIs) within five (5) days after the last day of late registration for each semester, a report listing the names of students eligible for free tuition and other school fees.
RA 10931 creates a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee composed of five members from the Senate and five from the House. Its purpose is to oversee, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the Act.