The Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education or UniFAST is in charge of implementing Republic Act 10931, which ensures that deserving Filipinos will have equitable access to educational opportunities. With this, eligible students will have the opportunity to pursue tertiary education without having to pay tuition and other school fees under State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and CHED-recognized Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs). Moreover, students who need additional financial support can also apply for a short-term loan. There are four programs under RA 10931, including Free Higher Education (FHE), Free Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), and Student Loan Program for Tertiary Education Short-Term (SLPTE-ST).  

FHE eligibility and benefits

Students enrolled in their first undergraduate degree program subject to the admission and retention policies of the Higher Education Institution. Benefits under FHE include tuition fees and 13 other school fees:

• Admission fees
• Athletic fees
• Computer fees
• Cultural fees
• Development fees
• Entrance fees
• Guidance fees
• Handbook fees
• Laboratory fees
• Library fees
• Medical/Dental fees
• Registration fees
• School ID fees

 

TVET eligibility and benefits

Eligible learners include those who are enrolled in their first post-secondary TESDA-registered TVET programs and those who are not holding a National Certificate III or higher, except those enrolled in bundled programs. Note: Subject to prioritization and availability of funds. Students under this program may enjoy the following benefits:

• Tuition and miscellaneous fees/other related fees
  • Trainee support provisions including:
  • National Competency Assessment
  • Instructional materials
  • Living allowance
  • Starter toolkit
  • Workshop shirts

 

TES eligibility and benefits

Undergraduate students enrolled in SUCs, CHED-recognized LUCs, and quality-assured private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Also subject to prioritization and availability of funds. Grantees enrolled in private HEIs shall be entitled to a maximum benefit of P60,000 (TES 1 + TES 2) per academic year, while grantees enrolled in SUC or LUC shall receive P40,000 (TES 2). TES 1 – for tuition and other school fees TES 2 – for other education-related expenses Additional benefits for TES grantees

• TES 3a – persons with disability (PWD): P30,000/year
• TES 3b – Board/Licensure Examination: max of P10,000 one-time reimbursement.

  TES program has four prioritization category:

• Continuing expanded student’s grant-in-aid program for poverty alleviation beneficiaries enrolled in SUCs; Continuing TES student-grantees;
• Students enrolled in private HEIs located in municipalities or cities with no SUC or CHED-recognized LUC, provided that the students are residing in the municipality or city where the private HEI is located;
• Students who are part of households included in the Listahan 2.0 or the most recent National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
• Students who are not part of the Listahan 2.0 but qualify when ranked according to estimated per capita household income, based on submitted documentation of proof of income to be determined by the UniFAST Board.

Documentary requirements for TES:

• Certificate of Registration/Enrollment
• Assessment of fees; and
• PWD ID, if applicable.

For students in TES Category 3, they need to include a certificate of residency.  

SLPTE-ST eligibility and benefits

Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in SUCs, CHED-recognized LUCs and quality-assured private HEIs. This is also subject to prioritization and availability of funds. Students under SLPTE-ST program shall enjoy the following benefits:

• Short term loan to cover expenses for pursuing either undergraduate and graduate programs, including medicine and law;
• Maximum loan of P60,000/academic year;
• No interest will be charged if paid within the loan term.

  Requirements

• Duly accomplished SLPTE-ST Application form;
• Certification of School Registration of the applicants;
• Income Tax Return of the applicant, if employed, or other proof of family income;
• Income Tax Return or other proof of family income of the co-maker;
• Government-issued ID of the co-maker; and
• 1×1 picture of the applicant and the co-maker.

  For more inquiries, contact the corresponding emails by region:

• Region 1: unifastro1@ched.gov.ph / region1@tesda.gov.ph
• Region 2: unifastro2@ched.gov.ph / region2@tesda.gov.ph
• CAR: unifast.car@ched.gov.ph / car@tesda.gov.ph
• Region 3: unifastr03@ched.gov.ph / region3@tesda.gov.ph
• CALABARZON: unifast..calabarzon@ched.gov.ph / region4a@tesda.gov.ph
• MIMAROPA: unifast.mimaropa@ched.gov.ph / region4b@tesda.gov.ph
• Region 5: unifastro5@ched.gov.ph / region5@tesda.gov.ph
• Region 6: unifastro6@ched.gov.ph / region6@tesda.gov.ph
• Region 7: unifastro7@ched.gov.ph / region7@tesda.gov.ph
• Region 8: unifastro8@ched.gov.ph / region8@tesda.gov.ph
• Region 9: unifastro9@ched.gov.ph / region9@tesda.gov.ph
• Region 10: unifastr010@ched.gov.ph / region10@tesda.gov.ph
• Region 11: unifastro11@ched.gov.ph / region11@tesda.gov.ph
• Region 12: unifastro12@ched.gov.ph /region12@tesda.gov.ph
• CARAGA: unifast.caraga@ched.gov.ph / caraga@tesda.gov.ph
• BARMM: unifast.barmm@ched.gov.ph / armm@tesda.gov.ph
• NCR: unifast.ncr@ched.gov.ph / ncr@tesda.gov.ph