Fee Waiver for Private HEI Entrance Exams

The State commits to protecting and promoting the right to quality education at all levels.
It aims to democratize access to quality tertiary education.
A key policy is to exempt qualified disadvantaged students from payment of entrance examination fees charged by private HEIs.

College Entrance Examinations: Exams administered by private HEIs used to select prospective students.
Graduates and Graduating Students: Learners who have completed or are about to complete the Enhanced Basic Education Program under RA 10533, the Accreditation and Equivalency Assessments for Senior High School under the Alternative Learning System per RA 11510, or other similar programs recognized by DepEd.
Higher Education: Formal education stage requiring secondary education completion, covering bachelor, advanced, and associate degree programs.
Private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): HEIs recognized by CHED and privately owned or operated.

Must be a natural-born Filipino citizen.
Must belong to the top 10% of the graduating class.
Must come from a family with household income below the poverty threshold or unable to afford basic needs, certified by DSWD.
Must apply for entrance examination to any private HEI within the country.
Must satisfy other requirements specified by the private HEI.

CHED is authorized to determine and impose sanctions on private HEIs officials or employees who fail or refuse to comply with the Act, pursuant to RA 7722.

CHED, in coordination with DepEd and in consultation with private educational associations, must promulgate implementing rules within 60 days of the Act's effectivity.

If any provision is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the rest of the Act remains effective.

All inconsistent laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

The Act takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.