UniFAST

"My mother is a housewife, while my stepfather is a carpenter. I have six siblings — three sisters and three brothers. A financial assistance would help me a lot.

Republic Act No. 10931 has had a big impact on my life, especially because it helped me continue my studies and pursue my dreams. Even though I face financial difficulties, RA 10931 gives opportunities to students who lack financial resources, just like me."

Paula Camille Samonte
Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Lipa
Bachelor of Secondary Education

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗗𝗿. 𝗜𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗼 𝗝𝗿.! 👏🏻

The UniFAST Secretariat warmly welcomes you as the newly appointed Chair of the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) and a member of the UniFAST Board.

We look forward to working alongside you in advancing the goals of Republic Act No. 10931 and our shared mission of transforming lives through accessible and inclusive financial assistance programs in higher education.

Welcome to the UniFAST Board, and we wish you a productive and successful term ahead.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
CHED-UNIFAST-TEC
June 3, 2026

CHED-UNIFAST, TEC partner for P103-M Teacher Education Scholarship Program

QUEZON CITY — In a major stride toward upgrading the caliber of the nation's teaching force, the Commission on Higher Education - Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (CHED-UniFAST) and the Teacher Education Council (TEC) have officially signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to roll out the Teacher Education Scholarship Program (TESP).

Led by CHED Chairperson and TEC Vice-Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, TEC Secretariat Executive Director Dr. Jennie V. Jocson, and UniFAST Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Executive Director Septon A. De La Cruz, the signing ceremony took place at the PRC-NCR Office in Quezon City on June 3, immediately after the 2026 First Council Meeting.

“We cannot fix the gaps in our education system without supporting the people who hold it together—our teachers,” said CHED Chairperson Agrupis. “This is a deliberate effort to bring top talent into the teaching profession and ensure that our schools have the skilled educators our students deserve.”

For its pilot rollout starting Academic Year 2026-2027, the program has been granted a total fund allocation of P103 million to fully support 720 scholars. Under the newly signed agreement, the fund disbursement will be managed by CHED-UniFAST, while the program’s operational ex*****on will be co-managed by TEC alongside designated Centers of Excellence (COEs) in Teacher Education.

TESP will provide targeted incentives and support to strengthen teacher specializations with urgent needs, namely, Early Childhood Education, Values Education, and Special Needs Education. The scholarship guidelines were formalized under TEC Circular No. 1, Series of 2026.

TEC Secretariat Executive Director Jocson emphasized that the program directly targets long-standing institutional shortages. “By providing substantial incentives for specializations like early childhood, values, and special needs education, we are strategically filling critical gaps in our basic education system with competent, specialized professionals.”

Envisioned in Republic Act No. 11713, also known as the Excellence in Teacher Education Act, the TESP is strategically designed to attract, encourage, and support top-tier students pursuing programs in Teacher Education.

"The TES has been a great help throughout my educational journey. Coming from a family facing financial struggles, continuing my studies has not always been easy. My mother sometimes takes on laundry work and has also worked as a house helper, while my father works as a farmer and drives a motorcycle to earn additional income for our family. Seeing their hard work and sacrifices motivates me to study harder and pursue my dreams.

Through the support of TES, some of the financial burden of my education has been eased. It has helped me meet my school needs and given me the opportunity to continue my studies with less worry. More than the financial assistance, it has given me hope, encouragement, and motivation to keep striving despite the challenges we face. I am truly grateful to TES for being part of my journey toward a better future."

Antonette Thalia Sora
Siena College Tigaon, Inc.
BSEd in English

🎉𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗖. 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝘂𝗽𝗶𝘀!💐

UniFAST celebrates a year of leadership under CHED and UniFAST Board Chairperson Shirley Agrupis. We thank you for championing accessible, inclusive, and quality higher education for all. We wish you continued success in our mission of transforming lives through education.

🌈 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵!🏳️‍🌈

This June, UniFAST joins the celebration of diversity, equality, and the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community in shaping a more compassionate and progressive society.

As advocates of quality and inclusive education, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing inclusive and equitable higher education where every learner is respected, valued, and empowered, regardless of gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or personal background. Higher education institutions must remain safe and welcoming spaces that uphold the rights, dignity, and aspirations of all students.

Guided by Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, we continue to implement programs like the Free Higher Education, the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), and the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) that expand educational opportunities and remove barriers to learning.

Let us continue to promote inclusivity, understanding, and mutual respect across our campuses and communities.

𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗕𝗕𝗠–𝗚𝗔𝗕𝗔𝗬 𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 🇵🇭

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson Shirley Agrupis, joined by CHED officials and UniFAST OIC Executive Director Septon De La Cruz, led the continuation of the “PBBM–GABAY ng Bayan Programs: Patuloy na Edukasyon, Patuloy na Pag-Ahon” education caravan series in the National Capital Region on May 28, 2026, at the WES Arena in Valenzuela City.

The caravan is part of the government’s ongoing efforts in response to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to bring government programs and services closer to Filipinos, particularly those seeking access to scholarship opportunities and educational assistance programs.

Approximately 3,000 participants from the CAMANAVA (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area attended the event, including senior high school 4Ps beneficiaries who are incoming college students, scholarship applicants, Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) grantees, as well as education stakeholders.

The activity highlighted various student assistance programs and services, including:
✅ Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and Tulong Dunong Program (TDP) grant distribution
✅ LANDBANK ATM card distribution to TES-TDP beneficiaries
✅ Free Higher Education
✅CHED Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs)
✅ Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program (BPMSP)
✅ CHED TANAW
✅ Scholarships for Instructors’ Knowledge Advancement Program (SIKAP)
✅ Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP)

The event was also attended by CHED NCR Regional Director Atty. Marco Cicero Domingo; CHED Office of Student Development and Services Director Corinna Frances Cabanilla; CHED NCR Chief Education Program Specialist Victorino Datuin; Valenzuela City Mayor and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela Board of Regents Chairperson Wes Gatchalian; Department of Social Welfare and Development Assistant Secretary for Support to Operations and New Initiatives Atty. Elaine Fallarcuna; and 4Ps National Program Manager Director Gemma Gabuya.

Happy birthday to CHEDRO III (Central Luzon) Regional Director, Dr. Maura Consolacion Cristobal! Greetings from the CHED-UniFAST Family ❣🎂

"We are ten siblings. My father is a fisherman, while my mother is a housewife. I am truly grateful to TES for allowing me to become part of the program and for helping me finish my studies. Thank you very much for your support.

Republic Act No. 10931, also known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, has greatly helped me in pursuing my education. Because of this law, I was able to study without worrying too much about tuition and other school fees. It gave me the chance to focus on my studies and complete my course. This support became a huge help in achieving my dreams. Thank you very much for your continued support."

Romnick Oftana
Concord Technical Institute, Inc.
BS in Marine Transportation

𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐆 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 | 𝐌𝐀𝐘 𝟐𝟖 – 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄 𝟏𝟐 🇵🇭

UniFAST joins in proudly waving and displaying the National Flag for the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 from May 28 to June 12, 2026.

The Philippine National Flag will be raised simultaneously in various locations across the country, including the Alapan Shrine and Rizal Park on May 28, 2026.

In celebration of the Filipinos’ first victory in the Battle of Alapan in 1898, General Emilio Aguinaldo waved the flag for the very first time at his headquarters in Kawit, Cavite. Let us raise the Flag and take pride in the nation it represents!

📌 Download and use the official posters:
bit.ly/Kalayaan2026posters

📌 Learn about the proper use of the National Flag:
https://bit.ly/FlagAndHeraldicCode2018