Good news for students (and the parents paying for everything else).
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act 12325 on Friday, September 4. It upgrades the free tertiary education law, the one that made tuition free in state universities, local colleges and state-run tech-voc schools.
So what's new?
Bigger Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) for students who need it
Private school support: poor and deserving students in priority programs at qualified private schools may get government help if they don't already have a grant
4Ps families get priority
Public schools must create equity and inclusion plans, which can include fee waivers and priority access to facilities
Grants will be adjusted regularly, with stricter monitoring under UniFAST
Why it matters
Free tuition is great, but it doesn't pay for jeepney fares, books or baon. The President himself pointed that out. "We must help all our learners remain in school or training until they complete their studies," he said.
What we don't know yet
The exact grant amounts and application details weren't announced at the signing. Watch for the implementing rules, and check your school's scholarship office and UniFAST updates.
