Important Things to Know in Free Tuition Fee Law

This school year hundreds of colleges and universities were obliged to implement the free tuition fee law to cover thousands of Filipino students throughout the country. Forty billion funds were allotted by the government for the initial implementation of the law, thus students and parents are expecting for an expense-free education.

However, the law seems to be complicated and it’s important to know some important things about free tuition fee law.

• Aside from the tuition fee, RA 10931 also covers other fees including laboratory fees, library fees, athletic fees, computer fees, school ID fees, admission fees, registration fees, dental and medical fees, development fees, handbook fees, guidance fees, and other related fees. Poor students may also receive a stipend from the government and may also apply for loan program.
• The free tuition fee law only covers undergraduate students taking a bachelor’s degree. Those who are taking their second degree are not qualified to avail the free tuition fee. This also applies to those who have completed a vocational degree in the previous years.
• A student who qualified for this law should finish the degree within the required period of time. Otherwise, the student will be the one to pay the fees for the exceeding period.
• The law only applies to the required classes covered for the enrolled semester and part of the curriculum. Thus, remedial, enhancement classes and reviews are not covered.
• Participating schools are required to create programs so that disadvantaged students and those from minority groups can easily access the free tuition fee law.
• Upon enrollment, a student may decide whether to avail the program or voluntarily decline. This is true for those students who are financially capable to pay for the tuition fee and miscellaneous expenses. The student who declines the offer should submit a notarized waiver, but is given a chance in the succeeding semesters in case of change of decision.

Read Also:

• SM College Scholarship Programs for SY 2018-2019
• How to Apply for the PhilFrance Scholarship Program
• How to Apply for DOST Scholarship

The Commission on Higher Education will be releasing the IRR last March 26, 2018. Concerned individuals should wait for further updates.