UniFAST Scholarship Program Facilitating Access to Quality Education for Filipino Students
The Unified System of Student Financial Aid for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) is a flagship program in the Philippines aimed at providing equitable and adequate access to education for all eligible Filipinos. Pursuant to Republic Act 10931, the program offers fully funded scholarships to eligible students pursuing post-secondary education at state universities and colleges (SUC) and local CHED-accredited universities and colleges (LUC).
This comprehensive scholarship program consists of four categories, namely Free Higher Education (FHE), Free Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and Short Term Tertiary Student Loan Program (SLPTE-ST).
I. Advantages of Free Higher Education (FHE):
The FHE program covers a variety of benefits, including tuition, athletic, computer, cultural, developmental, enrollment, guidance, manual, lab, library, medical/dental, registration, and waiver of school-like identification fees. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers and make higher education accessible to deserving students.
II TVET Scholarship Benefits and Eligibility:
The TVET program is designed for applicants who are enrolled in their first TESDA-registered TVET post-secondary programs. To be eligible, applicants must not have a National Certificate III or higher, except for blended programmes, subject to priority and availability of funds. The benefits under this scheme include tuition coverage, miscellaneous fees, and other related expenses. In addition, apprentices receive support provisions such as national competency assessment, teaching materials, living allowance, beginners’ toolkit, and shop t-shirts.
Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) Eligibility and Benefits:
TES provides financial assistance to undergraduate students enrolled in SUCs, CHED-accredited LUCs, and quality-assured private HEIs. Disbursement of funds is subject to priority and availability of funds. Private HEI scholarship holders can avail a maximum benefit of P60,000 (TES 1 + TES 2) per academic year, while SUC or LUC scholarship holders are entitled to P40,000 (TES 2) per academic year. This grant is available to both graduate and undergraduate students, including those studying medicine and law.
IV Short Term Student Loan Program for Tertiary Education (SLPTE-ST) Requirements:
Applicants seeking assistance under the SLPTE-ST category must submit a duly completed application form, school record certification, government-issued identification of the participating manufacturer, and income tax return or proof of household income for both applicants as Co-manufacturer must provide. This short-term loan provides financial assistance of up to P60,000 per academic year and is interest-free if repaid within the loan period.
V. UniFAST Scholarship Application Process:
To apply for the UniFAST Scholarship, applicants can visit the official CHED-UniFAST online application portal and create an account. After logging in, they need to fill the application form and submit the necessary documents. The application period normally opens in February, with a deadline of 28 september 2023, for the 2022 scholarships. Applicants should keep up-to-date for the 2023-2024 application period, which is expected to begin in February 2024.
Result:
The UNIFAST Scholarship Program stands as an important milestone in the Philippines’ quest to provide accessible and equitable education for all. Through the FHE, TVET, TES and SLPTE-ST categories, the program provides a wide range of benefits to students, ensuring that they can pursue tertiary education without financial constraints. By developing an educated population, the nation can pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future. Filipinos are encouraged to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity and contribute to the growth and development of the country.
UniFAST Scholarship Deadline 2023 to 2024
The latest deadline for the 2022 UniFAST Scholarships is 28 september 2023. So, please try to submit your online applications before the last date.
The UniFast Scholarship application usually opens in February. Therefore, the 2023 to 2024 scholarship application is likely to start in February 2024. Bookmark this page and come back later for more updates.