Marcos signs law expanding college aid, prioritizing poor students and 4Ps beneficiaries

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 09, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed a law strengthening the Philippines’ free tertiary education program, expanding financial assistance for disadvantaged students and giving priority to qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Republic Act No. 12325, or the Act Enhancing the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, amends the landmark RA 10931, which provides free tuition and other school fees in state universities and colleges, qualified local universities and colleges, and state-run technical-vocational institutions.

Under the expanded law, government support goes beyond tuition. The Tertiary Education Subsidy may now cover expenses for internships or Related Learning Experiences, professional licensure requirements, and additional allowances for students with disabilities.

Poor and disadvantaged students, including qualified 4Ps beneficiaries, will receive priority for subsidies. The law also establishes a pilot program that may provide assistance to disadvantaged students taking priority programs in qualified private colleges and technical-vocational institutions.

State and local universities and colleges and state-run technical-vocational institutions will also be required to implement Equity and Inclusion Plans, including targeted support such as fee waivers and priority access to facilities for disadvantaged students.

Marcos said free tuition alone does not eliminate all barriers to finishing college, as families still shoulder expenses for transportation, books, daily needs and other school requirements.

The government has increased the number of Free Higher Education beneficiaries from about two million to 2.6 million students in the first semester of the current academic year, according to Marcos.

The amended law also requires the UniFAST Board to review Tertiary Education Subsidy amounts every two years to account for inflation and changing education costs. It allows qualified students a one-year extension to finish their programs under justifiable circumstances and introduces a single learner reference code to improve the monitoring of beneficiaries.

Marcos directed the Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, UniFAST and other concerned agencies to complete the implementing rules and regulations for the law.

The President said the goal is not only to help Filipinos enter college or technical-vocational training, but also to give disadvantaged students enough support to stay in school and finish their education.