MARCOS AFFIRMS TUITION FEE ASSISTANCE, P20,000 SUBSIDY TO COLLEGE STUDENTS IN NEED

“WALANG kabataan ang dapat maapektuhan ang pag-aaral dahil sa kahirapan.”

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. thus announced on Friday full or partial tuition assistance for qualified college students nationwide under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) to help more Filipinos complete their education.

During the awarding of the CHED UniFAST Scholarship alongside the official launch of the Electronic Certification, Authentication, and Verification (E-CAV) system held at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City, President Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to easing the burden of parents struggling to send their children to school.

“Sa ngayon, nagbibigay ang Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education o ‘yung tinatawag na UniFAST ng full o partial tuition at school fee assistance sa mga kwalipikadong estudyante sa state at CHED-recognized local universities and colleges sa buong bansa,” the President said.

“Hindi na nila kailangan sagutin ang halaga ng tuition. Mababawasan ang pangamba ng mga magulang at mas malaya nang makapag-aral ang ating mga estudyante,” the President added.

The government also offers a P20,000 annual tertiary education subsidy for students in need, which may be used to cover tuition, transportation, books, food, and other school-related expenses.

Under the same program, college students with disability will receive an additional P5,000 grant, while students taking degree programs with licensure examinations are eligible for reimbursement up to P8,000.

President Marcos expressed confidence that the program will have a positive long-term impact on the lives of its beneficiaries and will contribute meaningfully to national development.

“Bunga nito, inaasahan nating mas maraming mga estudyante ang mananatili sa paaralan at makakapagtapos ng kanilang pag-aaral. Gagaan din ang pasanin ng inyong mga magulang. At magiging mas malakas ang ating mga komunidad dahil ang mga nagtatapos bilang guro, nars, inhinyero, ay magiging haligi ng ating pag-unlad,” President Marcos said.

“Naniniwala ako na sa bawat batang natututo, may pamilyang umaangat. Sa bawat pamilyang umaangat, mas nagiging matibay ang ating ekonomiya, at sa ganoong paraan, nagiging mas matibay ang Bagong Pilipinas,” the President added.

The President also called on implementing agencies to intensify efforts to expand the reach of the UniFAST so more students would benefit from it.