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FAQs: The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act

The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Why support the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act?t

This measure is an investment in the future of our youth and in the Filipino family. This measure allows more Filipinos to afford a college education or technical-vocational course, which should open up more opportunities for employment and livelihood. A free tertiary education also relieves parents and breadwinners of a major expense, allowing them to spend on other needs, like healthcare and housing, or set aside more for savings.

 

Who will get free tuition in the current version of the law?

All students who are enrolled or will enroll in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), accredited Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), and publicly-run Technical-Vocational Institutions (TVIs) are entitled to a tuition and other fees-free education as long as they fulfill the admission and retention standards of the schools and this measure.

 

Who are not eligible to a tuition-free post secondary education?

 

  • For SUCs and LUCs:
  • Students who already have a bachelor’s degree, or comparable undergraduate degree, who failed to comply with the admission and retention standards of the SUC/LUC,
  • Students who failed to complete the degree program within a year more after the prescribed period of the program are no longer qualified for the free tuition.
  • For state-run TVIs:
  • Students who already have a bachelor’s degree or any comparable undergraduate degree or diploma for techvoc courses equivalent to National Certificate (NC) III
  • Students who failed any course within the techvoc program.

 

The students in this list can still enroll in their respective schools, but they would have to pay for the tuition and other fees.

 

What is StuFAP? What does it cover?

 

Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs) are programs that provide financial assistance to students. StuFAPs come in 3 forms- scholarships, grant-in-aid programs, and student loans.

 

The Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) for Filipino Students is a fund that is created to strengthen the StuFAPs. This will be the fund that will be utilized to provide assistance to students in need who are enrolled in higher education institutions. This will be administered by the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST).

 

Accessing this fund is different from the free tuition scheme in SUCs, LUCs, and state-run TVIs.

 

What is the loan program?

 

One of the new features of the bill is the creation of a pool of money for student loans. The student loan program will be available to all Filipinos to supplement other costs that are brought about by studying in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or TVI or to address unexpected situations to ensure that students will not drop out of school. This pool of money will be facilitated by the UniFAST.

 

What is the status of the bill? When will this be rolled out?

 

The Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act was signed into law by President Duterte on August 3, 2017. (The bicameral conference report was ratified by both houses last May 30, 2017.)

 

The legislators intend for the law to be implemented in time for the second semester 2017-2018.

 

 

 

Common Concerns & Misconceptions

 

1) “Free tuition is a subsidy for the rich”

 

It is true that only 12% of the poorest of the poor are in SUCs. The large percent of the poorest of the poor aren’t in college because of financial and other limitations. But what the bill hopes to do is support the majority of SUC students who may not be of the “poorest of the poor” but still face financial difficulties in paying for a higher education.

These are some estimates based on data from the Annual Poverty Indicator Survey (APIS) 2014:

  • 49% of students in SUCs come from the bottom 50% of the population, from income levels determined by PIDS to need full support (tuition + other educational expenses + living allowance) to finish college.
  • Up to 71% of students in SUCs come from families that do not have disposable income, with monthly family income of approx. P27,000 or less. Their families are struggling to send their children to school.
  • On the other hand, only up to 28% of students in SUCs come from families that can COMFORTABLY send ONE child to school, with monthly family income of more than P29,000.
  • Only up to 17% of students in SUCs come from families with monthly family income higher than P40,000.
  • Only up to 7% of students in SUCs come from families with monthly family income of more than P78,000.

 

Based on another report from Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) providing data from 58 SUCs, 77% of students enrolled in SUCs have family income within the minimum wage range or lower.

 

Based on APIS 2014, 40.7% of students aged 16 to 17 will not continue their studies because of financial concerns or high cost of education. This is the reason why only 1 out of 4 students who enter college will graduate.

 

SUC students who can afford the tuition have the option to opt-out of free tuition, and pay the full tuition fee instead.

 

2) We need to focus on basic education before we focus on college-level.

 

We are not taking away any of the budget from K-12 implementation.

 

The budget that is allocated for K-12 implementation, as coursed through the Department of Education, will remain intact to continue improving basic education facilities like building more classrooms, hiring more teachers, and improving the overall quality of K-12 delivery.

 

The budget for free tuition in SUCs will come through a different budget allocation and will be coursed through CHED and SUCs. Reforms in the higher education sector are complementary to the reforms in the basic education.

 

3) Students and their families won’t value their education anymore because it’s free.

 

Students are still subject to admission and retention standards of the schools they enroll in and will not be able to avail of their free education should they get a failing mark. Students would need to pass their subjects and study hard to secure that college diploma.

 

We are hopeful that students will value their education not just because of how much money was spent but also because of the opportunities it will open up once students graduate. Many Filipino families believe that a college education is key to unlocking higher paying jobs and a more prosperous future.

 

4) SUCs will have less money for salaries.

 

Salaries of SUC staff come from the budget for Personal Services, which each SUC receives directly from the General Appropriations Act.

 

The SUCs will receive their budget, including the budget for free tuition and miscellaneous fees, from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

 

SUCs will still receive the same amount of money that they would receive if they were collecting tuition from students.

 

5)  SUCs might raise miscellaneous fees to earn money from students.

 

SUCs and government-run TVIs will not be allowed to charge the students with tuition and other fees, including miscellaneous fees.

 

6) Is Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act sustainable?

 

As long as education remains a priority, the government should be able to allocate a budget for free college education.

 

Due to the economic performance of our country in the past years, we are now enjoying a more robust budget. Our budget is set to grow by around 10% annually and the money used for subsidizing higher education for all SUC students is only a fraction in the increase in national budget.

 

Lastly, almost all Senators are committed to push for this bill, and since the power of the purse is in Congress, it means a commitment to allocate funding in the next budget cycle.

 

FAQs from Parents & Students

 

1) Can I still apply for other scholarships, grants in aid and loan?

 

Yes. To cover book costs, transport, board and lodging, etcetera, you can still apply for other scholarships through different StuFAP programs or private scholarships.

 

The free tuition does not prevent you from applying for other scholarships.

 

2) What if I do not pass the entrance exam? Puwede bang magbayad na lang ng tuition fee?

 

No. To enter the university you must pass the entrance examination even if you will opt-out of the free tuition and pay.

 

3) SUCs might start accepting too many students, bringing down the quality of education.

 

SUCs will not be allowed to accept more students than their facilities and teaching staff can handle. They are limited to their currently set student population, until they can justify the expansion of their facilities.

 

If the SUC wants to increase their student population, they would need to defend it before Congress and CHED during their budget deliberations.

 

FAQs from Schools

 

1) Can SUCs still apply for other budget allocation for our school?

 

Yes! SUCs can still apply for capital outlays, maintenance and other operating expenses, and personnel services by submitting a proposal during the deliberation period for the General Appropriations Act (the National Budget) for whatever expansion or project your school has.

 

For Local Universities and Colleges, the primary source of the budget will still be from the local council. If qualified, the CHED will just cover the tuition and other fees of students enrolled, but the rest of the expenses will still be sourced through the local council.

 

For TVIs, the budget will still be under the TESDA. Acquisition of new equipment or expansion of a program will still be the discretion of the head agency.

 

2) Where do the schools get the tuition allocation?

 

The SUCs will receive their budget directly from DBM. The budget for LUCs will be coursed through CHED. And the budget for TVIs will be coursed through TESDA.

Sen. Bam disappointed free college bill not mentioned in SONA

“Nasaan ang libreng kolehiyo?”

 Sen. Bam Aquino raised this question as he expressed disappointment over President Duterte’s failure to mention free college education in his State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Marami pong umasa na babanggitin ni Pangulong Duterte ang napakaimportanteng repormang ito na magbibigay ng libreng edukasyon sa milyon-milyong Pilipino, lalo pa’t pirma na lang niya ang kulang upang ito’y maisabatas.  Nakakapanghinayang na hindi ito binanggit,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam is still hopeful though that the president will decide to sign this bill into law.

 He also mentioned he was happy with some pronouncements during the SONA, including enhancing support for the Armed Forces, improving government efficiency, providing free internet in public spaces which he also sponsored, and some legislative measures like the Land Use Act, BBL, as well as changes in mining policies.

But the senator stressed the need to prioritize free education and give more Filipinos access to a college degree and a brighter future.

“Isabatas na sana ang panukalang ito sa lalong madaling panahon,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam is the principal sponsor and co-author of two measures up for the President’s signature, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act and the Free Internet in Public Spaces Act.

 As principal sponsor, Sen. Bam defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation. He also stood as co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

 Once enacted into law, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act will institutionalize free tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

 It will also streamline and strengthen all Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAP), making it available to students who want to pursue higher education in private institutions, as well as subsidizing other expenses of SUC students.

On the other hand, the Free Internet in Public Places measure will provide free internet access in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries. Under the measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be mandated to craft a plan and a timeline for the rollout of this program.

In just one year, Sen. Bam works for passage of free college education, internet in public places

Just one year into the 17th Congress, Sen. Bam Aquino worked for the passage of two important measures that are just waiting for President Duterte’s signature to become a law.

The measure providing free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) was passed unanimously by the Senate during Sen. Bam’s short stint as chairman of the Committee on Education.

Sen. Bam also spearheaded the passage of the measure providing Filipinos free internet access in public places as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

 “Kapag naisabatas, napakalaki ang maitutulong ng panukalang ito upang mabigyan ang mas maraming Pilipino ng pagkakataong makatapos ng kolehiyo,” said Sen. Bam, referring to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which he principally sponsored and co-authored.

As principal sponsor, Sen. Bam defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation. He also stood as co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

If approved, it will institutionalize free tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

It will also streamline and strengthen all Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAP), making it available to students who want to pursue higher education in private institutions, as well as subsidizing other expenses of SUC students.

The senator added that the Free Internet in Public Places Act will empower Filipinos with internet access to education, information, jobs and business once enacted into law.

“We hope that this can be a step towards improving internet services in the Philippines, which, of course has become a main point for many of our countrymen,” said Sen. Bam, also the principal sponsor and co-author of the measure.

If signed into law by President Duterte, it will provide internet access in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries.

 Under the measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be mandated to craft a plan and a timeline for the rollout of this program.

 

Sen. Bam: Free college education to become a law August 5 or earlier

Sen. Bam Aquino expects the measure providing free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs), local universities and colleges (LUCs) and tech-voc schools to become a law on August 5 or earlier.

According to Sen. Bam, the ratified version of the measure was transmitted to the Office of the President for Duterte’s approval on July 5. Unless President Duterte vetoes it or signs it earlier, it will automatically lapse into law after 30 days or on August 5.

“Mas maganda kung ito’y pipirmahan ng Pangulo nang maaga upang maibalita niya sa sambayanang Pilipino sa kanyang State of the Nation Address (SONA) sa ika-24 ng Hulyo,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of the Senate version of the measure during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education.

 As committee chairman, Sen. Bam defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation. He also acted as co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

 Once enacted into law, Sen. Loren Legarda, chairman of the Finance Committee, promised to earmark the necessary budget for its effective implementation, according to Sen. Bam.

 If passed into law, education in SUCs, LUCs and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) will be virtually free, with the government shouldering tuition, miscellaneous and other fees.

 It will also make scholarship grants available to students of both public and private college and universities.The measure also has a loan program, where students can apply for financing for other education expenses.

Sen. Bam to unemployed Filipinos: Negosyo Centers can help you

Sen. Bam Aquino urged unemployed Filipinos to visit the closest Negosyo Center so they can get help in starting a business.

“Habang wala kayong nahahanap na trabaho, bakit di muna subukang magnegosyo. Hindi dapat matakot dahil naririyan ang mahigit 500 Negosyo Centers sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa para kayo’y tulungan,” said Sen. Bam.

According to Sen. Bam, the Negosyo Centers have served around 800,000 Filipinos, from retired overseas Filipino workers (OFWS) to plain housewives, giving them the means to supplement their household income through business.

“Sa ngayon, marami nang mga Pilipino ang kumikita sa simpleng negosyo dahil sa tulong ng Negosyo Center,” said Sen. Bam, who has met with some of these successful entrepreneurs during his Negosyo Center visits.

Sen. Bam was the principal author and sponsor of the Republic Act No. 10644 or the Go Negosyo Act during his term as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship. It was the first of 17 laws passed by Sen. Bam in the 16th Congress.

The Go Negosyo Act mandates the establishment of Negosyo Centers in all municipalities, cities and provinces that will assist micro, small and medium enterprises in the country.

The Negosyo Center will provide access to markets and financing for businesses, training programs, and a simplified business registration process, thus helping ease of doing business and fast-track government processes in putting up a business.

Approved loans for small businesses thanks to Credit Surety Fund Act — Sen. Bam

Small enterprises will now benefit from the Credit Surety Fund Cooperative Act of 2015 with the signing of its implementing rules and regulations (IRR), according to Sen. Bam Aquino.

 “Finally, small enterprises can access loans and financing with the full implementation of the Republic Act 10744,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam was the author and principal sponsor of the measure in the Senate during his time as chairman of the Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship in the 16th Congress.

 The law institutionalizes the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ Credit Surety Fund (CSF) program, which provides small businesses loans ranging from P200,000 to P5 million.

 Sen, Bam pointed out that loan needs for small businesses usually range from P500,000 to P5 million, which is too big for microfinance institutions and perceived as too risky by banks, which usually ask for collateral.

 “Through this measure, we hope more small enterprises will have access to the capital they need to grow their business,” Sen. Bam said.

The law mandates the BSP, local government units, cooperatives, microfinance NGOs and government financing institutions (GFIs) to create an initial fund.

 This initial fund may be used by entrepreneurs and businessmen belonging to cooperatives and microfinance NGOs, which helped establish it, as collateral or guarantee for bank loans.

 Currently, the BSP’s CSFs exist in 46 provinces and cities with two more to be launched next week. As of April 30 2017, the total amount released through CSFs is P3.25 billion to 16,360 MSMEs.

 Republic Act 10744 aims to build the capability of MSMEs, cooperatives and non-government organizations in the areas of credit evaluation, loan and risk management, and good governance.

It also seeks to enhance the MSMEs’ credit worthiness and broaden access to credit facilities, and sustain the continuous flow of credit in the countryside.

“This will generate more employment and alleviate poverty through increased investments and economic activities,” Sen. Bam pointed out.

Sen. Bam: No political patronage in free education in SUCs, LUCs

A senator hopes free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) will discourage political patronage.
 
“Unang-una, lahat ng estudyante po bibigyan ng tulong. Kaya iyong palakasan sa mga pulitiko dahil iilan lang ang mabibigyan ng tulong, hindi na valid iyan,” Sen. Bam Aquino said during a press conference discussing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act.
 
“Sa ganitong paraan, hindi na kailangang kumuha pa ng endorsement letters para magkaroon ng subsidy. Hopefully, that will help decrease patronage in the provision of scholarships,” added Sen. Bam.
 
The Senate and the House both ratified the bicameral conference committee report. It will now be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s approval.
 
According to Sen. Bam, the final version makes education in SUCs, LUCs and vocational schools under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) virtually free, with the government shouldering tuition, miscellaneous and other fees.
 
“Kapag ito’y naisabatas na, magiging state policy na libre na ang tertiary level education pagdating sa SUCs, LUCs at pati na sa vocational schools ng TESDA,” said Sen. Bam, who defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education.
 
Sen. Bam was also the co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.
 
If enacted into law, it will institutionalize free tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.
 
It will also make scholarship grants available to students of both public and private college and universities.

Sen. Bam: Students to enjoy free SUCs starting 2nd sem of school year 2017-18

A senator expects students to benefit from the free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) beginning the second semester of school year 2017-18.

 “Napag-usapan sa bicam na it will be effective second semester ng school year 2017-2018 because by the time na ma-publish ito at maging batas, baka tapos na ang enrollment ng first semester,” said Sen. Bam Aquino, the principal sponsor and co-author of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act in the Senate.

 “We’re hoping that by November or second semester, libre na ang tuition at iba pang bayarin sa ating SUCs,” the senator added.

 As one of its major salient points, the measure prohibits SUCs from collecting other fees from students, making tertiary education totally free for underprivileged students.

 “Kapag napirmahan na ito bilang batas, magiging state policy na libre na ang tertiary level education pagdating sa SUCs at LUCs natin,” said Sen. Bam, who defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education.

 Sen. Bam was also the co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

 If enacted into law, it will institutionalize free tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

 It will also make scholarship grants available to students of both public and private college and universities.

The final version of the measure has been ratified by the Senate on Tuesday.

Sen. Bam: Free education in SUCs, LUCs a milestone in PH learning system

If enacted into law, the measure providing free education in state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs) will be a major reform in the country’s education system, as it will open up tertiary level education to more Filipinos.

“This is a huge reform for struggling students and their hard working parents. I became a legislator because I wanted to spearhead initiatives like this that can help our countrymen reach their hopes and dreams,” Sen. Bam Aquino, the principal sponsor and co-author of the measure, now known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, in the Senate.

The bicameral conference committee approved the report Monday. Once it is ratified by both Houses, it will be transmitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s approval.

“All it needs is the President’s signature to make tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs free, and financial support for students in private colleges and universities through grants and loans accessible and available,” said Sen. Bam

The measure, once passed into law, will complete the chain in the country’s educational institutions and give more Filipinos access to quality education.

“Noong dekada otsensa lang naging libre ang high school sa Pilipinas. Thirty years later, magiging libre na rin ang tertiary o college sa SUCs at LUCs. We’re really making educational institutions accessible to more Filipinos,” said Sen. Bam.

Sen. Bam defended the measure in plenary debates and interpellation during his stint as chairman of the Committee on Education. He was also the co-chairman of the Senate delegation to the bicameral conference committee, together with new Committee on Education chairman Sen. Francis Escudero. Other members of the Senate panel are Sens. Sherwin Gatchalian and Ralph Recto.

If approved, it will institutionalize free tuition and other fees in SUCs and LUCs all over the country, giving underprivileged students a chance to earn a college degree.

It will also streamline and strengthen all Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAP), making it available to students who want to pursue higher education in private institutions, as well as subsidizing other expenses of SUC students.

Sen. Bam: Free internet in public places now a signature away from becoming law

The measure providing Filipinos free internet access in public places is now one signature away from becoming a law after the Senate ratified its final version Wednesday, Sen. Bam Aquino announced.

 “Isang pirma na lang po at magiging batas na ito. This measure will empower Filipinos with internet access to education, information, jobs and business,” said Sen. Bam, the principal sponsor and co-author of the measure in the Senate in his capacity as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology.

“We hope that this can be a step towards improving internet services in the Philippines, which, of course has become a main point for many of our countrymen,” he added.

 The final version, which was also ratified by the House, will be submitted to Malacanang for President Duterte’s signature. If approved, this will be Sen. Bam’s 1st law in the 17th Congress and 18th in his four years as senator.

Sen. Bam hopes that internet service will improve with the successful implementation of the free internet access in public places, together with parallel efforts such as the National Broadband Plan and the entry of new players in the telecommunications industry.

 “Let’s work together to achieve our goal of faster, cheaper, more reliable internet services for every Filipino,” said Sen. Bam.

 Sen. Bam thanked co-authors Sens. Francis Pangilinan, Manny Pacquiao and Sen. Ralph Recto, co-sponsors Sen. Grace Poe and Recto and members of the Senate panel in the bicameral conference committee, including Sens. JV Ejercito, Nancy Binay, Joel Villanueva and Recto for helping develop and strengthen the measure.

The measure aims to provide internet access in all national and local government offices, public schools, public transport terminals, public hospitals and public libraries.

 Under the measure, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be mandated to craft a plan and a timeline for the rollout of this program.

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