SUC students need to graduate on time or lose chance at free tuition

Recto explained that if a student is completing a four-year course, he or she would have a one year “elbow room” to finish the degree or course. (PNA PHOTO)

MANILA, Aug. 8— Students in state universities and colleges (SUCs) should finish their degrees or courses within a year after the period prescribed in their program or else lose the chance at availing of free tuition, a senator said Tuesday.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto made this clarification saying that “free tuition should not be loosely interpreted as it is free to all.”

Under the newly-signed Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Recto said that there are stringent conditions for the enjoyment of free tuition, such as mandating students to complete degrees or courses during the prescribed period.

Recto explained that if a student is completing a four-year course, he or she would have a one year “elbow room” to finish the degree or course.

The law, he said, even sets a “one-strike rule” for public technological-vocational students. Under Section 6 of RA 10931, a student in state-run technical vocational institutes (TVIs) loses the privilege if he fails “in any course.”

“Walang forever na student sa batas na ito. Those who are magnas or magna na-nine years na sa isang kurso, hindi pwede mag-avail ng free tuition (There’s no forever in this law. Those who stay for nine years in a course can no longer avail of free tuition),” Recto said in a press statement.

“This means a student must maintain good academic standing at all times,” he added.

Recto, meanwhile, reminded students that to avail of free tuition, they should first pass the test and admission requirements imposed by the government school.

He explained that government schools have also requirements to meet before they can receive funds to cover tuition waivers.

“…They must follow implementing rules and regulations. There are budgeting, accounting and auditing rules that must be satisfied prior to fund release,” the senator said.

He further said that students must also submit relevant information as determined by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on school quality and performance.

Meanwhile, Recto also reminded students who already attained a bachelor’s degree or comparable undergraduate degree from any higher education institution, whether public or private, that they are barred from the program.