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Why UniFAST was established

The Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education Act, or UniFAST, also known as Republic Act No. 10687, was signed into law on 15 October 2015.

UniFAST reconciles, improves, strengthens, expands, and puts under one body all government-funded modalities of Student Financial Assistance Programs for tertiary education and special purpose education assistance in both public and private institutions.

These modalities include scholarships, grants-in-aid, student loans, and other specialized forms of student financial assistance formulated by the UniFAST Board.

What is the Tertiary Education Subsidy?

The Tertiary Education Subsidy is a program under Republic Act No. 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. The law includes Free Higher Education, Free Technical-Vocational Education and Training, and the Student Loan Program.

TES benefits

LUCs, LGU-run TVIs, SUCs, and TESDA TTIs

  • Up to PHP 40,000 per academic year for education-related expenses, including rental or purchase of computer, books and supplies, transportation, lodging, and board expenses.

Private TVIs and HEIs

  • Up to PHP 20,000 per academic year for tuition and other school fees.
  • Up to PHP 40,000 per academic year for education-related expenses, including rental or purchase of computer, books and supplies, transportation, lodging, and board expenses.
Qualifications
  • Filipino citizen.
  • Qualified for admission and retention requirements of the Higher Education Institution and has not exceeded the Maximum Residency Policy or Maximum Residency Rule.
  • Has not been expelled from any Higher Education Institution.
  • Enrolled in any SUC, CHED-recognized LUC, or private school program listed in the CHED Registry.
  • Qualified under future policies that may be implemented by the UniFAST Board.
Who can avail of TES?

The following individuals are prioritized beneficiaries of TES:

  • Current TES grantees and ESGP-PA beneficiaries.
  • Students included in the DSWD-National Household Targeting Office Listahanan, ranked by estimated per capita household income.
  • Students not included in Listahanan but ranked by estimated per capita household income based on proof of income documents required by the UniFAST Board.

This prioritization does not apply to Filipino students in cities and municipalities with no existing SUC or LUC campus.

How to apply for TES
  1. 1After enrollment, talk to the TES Focal Person of your school about the TES Portal application process.
  2. 2The TES Focal Person submits TES applicant information into the TES Portal.
  3. 3UniFAST conducts nationwide assessment through name-matching, verification, validation, and ranking using school data.
  4. 4The HEI TES Portal shows the resulting list of qualified grantees.
  5. 5The school informs eligible grantees and collects documentary requirements.
  6. 6The school submits certified documentary requirements to the CHED Regional Office for verification and validation.
  7. 7After verification, the UniFAST Board approves the masterlist of qualified grantees and provides it to schools.
  8. 8The school receives the funds and distributes grants to TES beneficiaries.
Documentary requirements
  • Certification of Registration or Enrollment.
  • Assessment of Fees.
  • Certificate of Residency, if applicable.
  • Photocopy of PWD ID, if applicable.
Additional TES benefits

PWD beneficiaries may receive additional funding of up to PHP 30,000 to help with special services, personal assistance, transportation, equipment, and legitimately incurred supplies.

Students enrolled in programs requiring a professional license or certification may receive up to PHP 10,000 for the one-time cost of receiving first professional credentials or qualifications, including notarial fees, review class fees, insurance premium fees, and documentation fees.

Courses and programs available for TES grantees

Higher Education

  • Undergraduate course or program in any Board-approved SUC campus.
  • Undergraduate courses with Certificates of Program Compliance in CHED-recognized LUCs.
  • Undergraduate courses with Government Recognition in private institutions listed in the UniFAST Registry of Quality-Assured Institutions and Programs.

TVET

  • TVET program with Certificate of Program Registration and officially listed in the TESDA Compendium of Registered Programs in any public or private technical-vocational institution.
Who are not eligible for TES benefits?

Higher Education

  • Students enrolled in programs or institutions not included in the Registry of CHED-recognized programs and institutions.
  • Students who have exceeded their program's Maximum Residency Rule limit.

TVET

  • Learners enrolled in TVET programs not in the Registry of TESDA.
  • Learners enrolled in TESDA-registered programs in any TVI who availed of government-funded StuFAPs other than Free TVET.