Accessing higher education is crucial for unlocking opportunities and achieving one’s dreams. However, for many Filipino students, especially those from low-income households, the financial burden of pursuing tertiary education can be overwhelming.
Recognizing this challenge, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has introduced the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program as a solution to ease the financial barriers hindering students’ access to higher education.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the CHED-Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program, covering qualifications, requirements, how to apply, where to submit, and more.
Join us as we investigate how this program addresses the problem of financial constraints and empowers students to pursue their academic aspirations.
Table of Contents
About CHED; CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) was established on May 18, 1994, through Republic Act No. 7722, also known as the Higher Education Act of 1994. CHED is a vital government agency in the Philippines, operating under the Office of the President.
It plays a crucial role in regulating and governing higher education institutions and post-secondary educational programs in the country.
In collaboration with the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), CHED offers the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program to deserving Filipino students.
What is TES?
- TES stands for Tertiary Education Subsidy.
- It is a grant-in-aid program established by Republic Act 10931.
- TES supports qualified disadvantaged students and those studying in cities and municipalities without public universities.
- The Tertiary Education Subsidy is a scholarship program that aims to provide financial assistance to students who are enrolled in a CHED-recognized higher education institution and belong to a household with a combined annual gross income not exceeding Php 300,000.
- Additionally, the student must be a beneficiary of the government’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or a solo parent.
- This program aims to ease the financial strain of higher education for deserving Filipino students, enabling them to pursue their academic goals and make positive contributions to their communities and the nation.
Eligibility:
Qualifying for the CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) is the first step towards securing financial assistance for your higher education journey.
Let’s explore the essential qualifications you need to meet in order to be eligible for this scholarship opportunity.
- Citizenship: Must be a Filipino citizen.
- Enrollment Status: Must be enrolled in undergraduate programs at State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), and Private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) listed in the CHED registry.
- Program Duration: Must not exceed the prescribed period, typically four or five years plus a one-year grace period.
- Priority Beneficiaries:
- Continuing Expanded Student’s Grant-In Aid program for Poverty Alleviation beneficiaries enrolled in SUCs.
- Continuing TES grantees or beneficiaries.
- Students enrolled in private HEIs in municipalities or cities without SUCs or LUCs, provided they reside in the same city or municipality as the private HEI.
- Included in Listahanan 2.0 or the most recent National Household Targeting System for Poverty Reduction by the DSWD.
- If not part of Listahanan 2.0, qualify based on estimated per capita household income as determined by the UniFAST board, supported by submitted documentation or proof of income.
Application Process:
To apply for the CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), follow these step-by-step instructions for a smooth and successful application journey:
Requirements:
Start by meeting the following requirements and providing the necessary attachments:
Applicants must provide the following documents:
- Certificate of Registration (COR) or Certificate of Enrollment (COE)
- Photocopy of Person with Disability ID (if applicable)
Below are the detailed documentary requirements for each applicant:
For New Applicants:
- Certified True Copy or electronically-generated copy of the list of enrolled student-applicants, including required student information, along with the certified electronically generated Certificate of Registration/Enrollment (CORS/COEs) as proof of enrollment and applicable fees charged by the HEI.
- Certified True Copy or electronically-generated copy of the list of enrolled student-applicants who are Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), with attached certified copy of their PWD identification card issued by the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) of a student’s city or municipality. Additional requirement for students enrolled in private HEIs located in municipalities or cities with no SUC or CHED-recognized LUC.
- Certified True Copy or electronically-generated copy of the list of enrolled student-applicants, along with the attached Original Copy of the Certificate of Residency, stating the full name of the student-applicant, address, and date of issuance duly signed by the Punong Barangay. Alternatively, an electronic copy of any valid government-issued identification may be submitted, provided that the full name and residence of the student is reflected on the ID.
Additionally, applicants who are not part of the Listahanan shall submit documentation of Proof of Income of all income-earners in the grantee’s household, which may include:
- The latest copy of the contract or proof of income for Overseas Filipino Workers and seafarers.
- Employment contract, pay slips, latest Income Tax Return (ITR), or Bureau of Internal Revenue Form 2316 for fixed-income earners.
- A case study prepared and issued by the licensed Social Welfare and Development Officer of the grantee’s city or municipality, especially for income-earners in the informal sector.
For Continuing Grantees:
- Certified True Copy or electronically-generated copy of the list of enrolled student-continuing grantees with the required student orientation as proof of enrollment and applicable fees charged by HEI. This will serve as a document for validation and billing purposes.
- For continuing grantees who return to school or his/her studies after failing to enroll for one academic term and have submitted their LOA, certified true copy or electronically-generated copy of the list of enrolled student-applicants with a total number of units enrolled as proof of enrollment, and applicable fees charged by HEI with the attached document that the student-transferee is a grantee.
For Availment of TES 3B:
- A Letter of Availament addressed to the CHED Regional Office, containing a summary of all allowable expenses with their actual amount and official receipt or acknowledgment receipt. This should be accompanied by any of the following attached documents as claimed:
- Professional Regulation Commission application form or examination fees.
- OR/AR for notarial fees.
- OR for Review Center Fees.
- OR for insurance premium fees.
- OR for issuance of Transcript of Records and Certificate of Good Moral Character.
- OR for issuance of PSA, BIR, and NBI documents. OR/AR of other entities or institutions for expenses necessary to comply with the requirements for licensure examinations.
Ensuring you have these documents ready and meet the specified criteria will make the application process for the CHED TES scholarship smoother.
Application Deadlines:
The deadline for submitting applications for the CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) for the academic year 2024-2025 is fast approaching.
Stay tuned for further announcements regarding the exact deadline for submission. It’s crucial to keep an eye on updates from CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy to ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to apply for this subsidy.
Prepare your documents and stay prepared to seize the chance to receive financial assistance for your tertiary education. Watch out for the official announcement to know when and how to submit your application.
Now, let’s stay updated and ready for the upcoming application period for the CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy.
Note: you may inquire about the scholarship in you respective institutions if it is open or currently on going.
Students interested in applying for the CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) Program are encouraged to carefully review and understand the provided instructions and guidance for the application process.
Step-by-Step Application Process:
- Enrollment in Chosen Institution: Students must first be enrolled in their chosen state university or college (SUC) or private higher education institution (HEI).
- Coordination with TES Focal Person: After enrollment, students should coordinate with their institution’s TES Focal Person to initiate the application process in the TES Portal.
- Completion of TES Portal Information: Students are required to fill out the necessary information in the TES Portal, which will then be submitted by the TES Focal Person.
- Nationwide Assessment: UniFAST conducts a Nationwide Assessment, which includes name-matching verification, validation, and ranking of applicants.
- Check Results: Students must wait for the results to be posted in the TES Portal of their respective institution.
- Submission of Required Documents: Qualified students will be informed by the institution to submit the required documentary requirements.
- Document Submission: Qualified students must submit all required documents to their institution.
- Validation and Verification: The institution will then submit the certified documentary requirements to the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office (CHEDRO) for further validation and verification.
- Approval of Masterlist: The UniFAST Board will approve the Masterlist of Qualified TES grantees based on the submitted documents.
- Fund Distribution: Finally, the institution will receive the TES fund for distribution to the qualified beneficiaries.
Tertiary Education Subsidy Application Form:
In addition to the specified steps, students must also ensure that they complete the Tertiary Education Subsidy Application Form accurately and provide all required information and attachments.
Important Reminders and Eligibility Criteria for the CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy Program
Here are some essential reminders to consider before applying for the CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy(TES) Program:
- For Higher Education: Applicants are advised to apply only to undergraduate courses or programs on any State Universities and Colleges (SUC) campus with Board approval. Moreover, undergraduate courses or programs offered should possess Certificates of Program Compliance (COPCs) in CHED-recognized Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) and have Government Recognition in private institutions listed in the UniFAST Registry of Quality-Assured Institutions and Programs.
- For TVET: TVET programs should have a Certificate of Program Registration (COPR) and official listing in the TESDA Compendium of Registered Programs in any public or private technical-vocational institution (TVI).
Additional Grounds for Ineligibility (for New Applicants):
- Foreign citizens are ineligible.
- Non-students are not qualified.
- Enrollment in HEIs or programs not included in the CHED Registry of Programs and Institutions is grounds for disqualification.
- Individuals already pursuing their second undergraduate post-secondary program are ineligible.
- Current beneficiaries of the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), CHED Scholarship Programs (CSPs), and other national government-funded StuFAP programs are not eligible.
- Student applicants under the PNSL category who are not residing in the city or municipality where the HEI is located are ineligible.
- Submission of falsified documents will result in disqualification.
Continuing Grantees:
- Failure to enroll for one academic term without leave of absence (LOA) or for at least two academic terms within a year.
- Suspension or expulsion from the HEI for one academic term or more.
- Not meeting the admission and retention requirements of the HEI.
- Failure to complete the bachelor’s degree within the prescribed period.
- Transferring to HEIs other than SUCs under the concluding Expanded Students’ Grant-In-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA).
- Submission of falsified documents.
For continuing TES grantees transferring to other HEIs, adhere to these rules:
- Inform the current HEI of the intent to transfer and follow the transfer procedures of both HEIs.
- Continuing ESGP-PA grantees may only transfer to another SUC.
- Listahanan and other grantees may transfer to one HEI listed in the CHED Registry of Programs and Institutions.
- PNSL grantees not in the Listahanan Category may transfer to another PNSL HEI in the same municipality or city.
Programs and Scholarship Benefits:
Discover the range of programs and scholarship benefits offered by the CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program.
Explore the various opportunities and financial assistance available to eligible students pursuing higher education.
Benefits of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) program:
New Beneficiaries:
- PHP 40,000 per academic year or PHP 20,000 per semester for SUCs and LUCs students.
- Additional PHP 10,000 per year or PHP 5,000 per semester for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
- One-time reimbursement of PHP 8,000 for board/licensure examinations.
Continuing as Beneficiary:
- PHP 20,000 per academic year or PHP 10,000 per semester for students in both public and private higher education institutions.
- PHP 60,000 per academic year or PHP 30,000 per semester for students enrolled in private higher education institutions.
- Additional PHP 10,000 per year or PHP 5,000 per semester for PWDs.
- One-time reimbursement of PHP 8,000 for board/licensure examinations.
Final Thoughts:
In wrapping up our discussion on the CHED UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy program and its benefits, it’s important to highlight how this initiative positively impacts Filipino students.
By providing financial support, allowing for specialization choices, and offering additional assistance, the TES program removes barriers to higher education.
Now, it’s time for action. If you qualify for the TES program, don’t hesitate to apply. Take advantage of this opportunity to pursue your educational goals without worrying about financial limitations. Apply for the TES program today and take the first step toward a brighter future!
Notice: Information Disclaimer
The PhilScholar website does not offer scholarship programs or engage in hiring activities. It serves solely as an informational platform providing details on scholarships and grants available for educational purposes.
While the PhilScholar website does not directly facilitate applications, users can find guides and informational articles related to admissions and scholarship application processes.
However, users are advised to meticulously examine the credibility of the content provided.
All information presented on this platform is intended for informational purposes only. Users are encouraged to verify any details independently before making decisions based on the content provided.
For additional verification or inquiries, references are provided at the end of the content section.
References:
- Philippine Go. (n.d.). What is CHED? Retrieved from [https://philippinego.com/gov/what-is-ched/#history](https://philippinego.com/gov/what-is-ched/#history)
- Philippine Go. (n.d.). [Title of the Article]. Retrieved from [https://philippinego.com/4942/](https://philippinego.com/4942/)
- Facebook. (n.d.). How to Apply CHED – Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) | Philippine Scholarships. Retrieved from [https://philippinescholarships.com/ched-tertiary-education-subsidy-tes/#google_vignette]
- Facebook. (n.d.). CHED-UniFAST Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) 2023-2024 – CHED Scholarship. Retrieved from [https://chedscholarship.com/ched-unifast-tertiary-education-subsidy-tes/#benefits]
Leave a Reply