College is one of the biggest expenses a Filipino family will ever plan for. The good news: if your child studies in a state university or college (SUC) or a CHED-recognized local university or college (LUC), tuition is free by law. On top of that, some students can also get a cash subsidy for allowance, books and transport. Here is how free college tuition in the Philippines works, who qualifies, and how to make the most of it so your family saves real pesos.
What the free tuition law says
Free college comes from Republic Act No. 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, signed in August 2017. Section 4 of the law, which UniFAST reproduces on its Free Higher Education page, says that Filipino students taking a bachelor’s degree, certificate degree or comparable undergraduate course in any SUC or LUC “shall be exempt from paying tuition and other school fees for units enrolled in.”
The program is run by UniFAST (Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education) together with CHED. The law created four main programs:
- Free Higher Education (FHE) – free tuition and school fees in SUCs and CHED-recognized LUCs.
- Free Technical-Vocational Education and Training – free tuition in state-run tech-voc institutions under TESDA.
- Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) – a cash grant for qualified students, including those in private colleges.
- Student Loan Program – a loan facility for students who need extra help.
Who qualifies for free tuition
According to UniFAST, a student is eligible if they:
- Are a Filipino citizen;
- Meet the admission and retention policies of the SUC or LUC;
- Have no previous undergraduate degree; and
- Are not overstaying in the program (UniFAST gives the example of a 4- or 5-year course plus a 1-year grace period).
Notice what is not on the list: there is no family income limit. Free tuition in SUCs and LUCs is not means-tested. What matters is getting in (passing the school’s entrance requirements) and staying in good standing.
What fees are covered
Besides tuition, UniFAST lists 13 “other school fees” that qualified students do not pay:
- Admission fees
- Athletic fees
- Computer fees
- Cultural fees
- Development fees
- Entrance fees
- Guidance fees
- Handbook fees
- Laboratory fees
- Library fees
- Medical/dental fees
- Registration fees
- School ID fees
Source: UniFAST Free Higher Education.
What free tuition does NOT cover
This is where many families get surprised. Free tuition is not the same as free college. You will still need to budget for:
- Daily living costs – baon, pamasahe, food and load.
- Board and lodging if the student lives near campus.
- Books, uniforms, projects and gadgets such as a laptop or printer.
- Private college tuition – free tuition only applies to SUCs and CHED-recognized LUCs.
- Graduate studies such as master’s degrees, medicine and law.
- A second bachelor’s degree – students who already have an undergraduate degree are not eligible.
Before enrolling, ask the registrar for a written breakdown of any fees billed to you so you know exactly what is covered and what is not.
Common ways students lose free tuition
The law has exceptions, and they mostly come down to three things:
- Failing the school’s retention policy. Each SUC or LUC sets its own grade and load rules. If a student is dismissed or falls below the requirements, free tuition can be lost.
- Overstaying. If a 4-year course turns into 6 years because of shifting, failed subjects or long underloads, the student can go past the allowed period plus one year and start paying.
- Already having a degree. A career shifter who goes back for another bachelor’s degree in an SUC will generally have to pay.
Practical tip: choose the course carefully before first year. Shifting is sometimes necessary, but every extra year also means another year of baon, rent and pamasahe, even if tuition is free.
Opting out or contributing voluntarily
RA 10931 also asks SUCs and LUCs to give students who can afford it a way to opt out of the subsidy or make a voluntary contribution to the school. This is completely optional. Read any form carefully before signing, and do not sign an opt-out unless your family really intends to pay. Collecting tuition and other school fees from qualified students who did not opt out is a prohibited act under the law.
Extra help: the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES)
The Tertiary Education Subsidy is a grant, not a loan. Based on the UniFAST TES page, the amounts starting Fiscal Year 2023 are:
| Grantee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student in an SUC or LUC | ₱20,000 per academic year |
| Student in a private HEI | ₱27,000 per academic year |
| TES-3A: Person with disability (additional) | ₱10,000 per academic year |
| TES-3B: Board/licensure exam taker | ₱8,000 one-time reimbursement |
To put that in perspective, a student in an SUC who receives ₱20,000 every year for a 4-year course would get ₱80,000 in total, money that can go to baon, books and transport instead of a loan.
But TES is subject to prioritization and the availability of funds, so not every eligible student gets it. For AY 2026-2027, UniFAST says priority goes first to students from households in the latest Listahanan (or the 4Ps list if Listahanan is discontinued, as certified by DSWD), ranked by household per capita income. Next in line are students who are children or dependents of active solo parents and members of Indigenous Peoples communities. If you are a solo parent, see our guide to solo parent benefits to make sure your ID is active.
Documentary requirements listed by UniFAST include the Certificate of Registration/Enrollment, a Certificate of Residency (for private HEIs in places with no SUC or LUC) and a PWD ID if applicable.
Tulong Dunong Program (TDP)
The Tulong Dunong Program is a subsidy under TES. The UniFAST page lists these conditions:
- Filipino citizen;
- Combined household gross income of parents or guardians not exceeding ₱400,000;
- Enrolled in a first undergraduate degree in an SUC, LUC or private HEI; and
- Not already a beneficiary of TES, CHED scholarship programs or other national government student financial assistance.
The benefit is ₱7,500 per regular semester, again subject to prioritization and available funds. New applicants usually need the TDP-TES application form, a certified Certificate of Enrollment or Registration, and a Certificate of Indigency signed by the Punong Barangay.
How to claim free tuition and apply for subsidies
- Shortlist SUCs and CHED-recognized LUCs. Not every local college is CHED-recognized, so confirm with the school or your CHED Regional Office.
- Prepare for the entrance exam. Free tuition does not replace admission requirements, and popular SUCs can be very competitive.
- Enroll normally. Free tuition applies automatically once you are validly enrolled and eligible.
- Ask about TES and TDP. Check your school’s announcements or ask the scholarship office or UniFAST focal person about application periods.
- Stay in good standing. Keep up with grades and load rules every semester.
- Raise problems properly. If you think you are being charged a covered fee, ask the registrar for a written explanation first, then contact your CHED Regional Office if it is not resolved.
How families can still save for college
Even with free tuition, college still costs money every week. A few practical moves:
- Estimate the real monthly cost. List pamasahe, baon, load, projects and rent for one semester, then multiply. This is your college fund target.
- Start a small sinking fund early. Even ₱500 to ₱1,000 a month set aside in a separate savings account adds up. Try the 52-week money challenge or cash envelope budgeting to stay consistent.
- Keep your emergency fund separate. A hospital bill should not wipe out the college fund. See how to build an emergency fund.
- Let the student earn safely. Programs like DOLE SPES summer jobs help students earn for their own school expenses.
- Consider tech-voc. For some students, a free course in a state-run TESDA institution is a faster path to work. See our TESDA courses guide.
- Beware of “scholarship” scams. Government programs do not ask you to pay a processing fee to a stranger or send money through GCash to “reserve” a slot. Always check official UniFAST, CHED or school pages.
Quick recap
Under RA 10931, Filipino undergraduates in SUCs and CHED-recognized LUCs pay no tuition and no fees for 13 listed school charges, as long as they meet admission and retention rules, do not already have a degree, and finish within the program length plus one year. Free tuition does not cover living costs, so the Tertiary Education Subsidy (₱20,000 a year for SUC/LUC students and ₱27,000 for private HEI students) and the Tulong Dunong Program (₱7,500 per semester) can help qualified students, subject to prioritization and available funds. Plan the non-tuition costs early, and your family can finish college with far less debt.
This article is general information only and not financial advice. Rates, rules and fees change, so please verify with the provider or the official agency before deciding.