The government of the Philippines has made provisions to ensure that all its citizens who have an interest in pursuing their education do so regardless of their financial situation. The Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UNIFAST) has been introduced as a way of helping all indigent students to ensure that they achieve whichever heights they want educationally.
UNIFAST scholarship has been in existence for a while now and has contributed to the academic successes achieved by citizens. CHED-UNIFAST scholarship is a special intervention or financial aid given to all Filipino students who are at different levels of their post-secondary studies to ensure that they do not stop along the way as a result of financial constraints. This educational sponsorship through the UNIFAST Scholarship Program has been done in partnership with the Philippines’ Commission for High Education (CHED).
The essence of this post is to take you through the eligibility criteria, important dates and deadlines, requirements, and other information that can help you become a recipient of the UNIFAST scholarship for the 2024–2025 academic session.
NOTE: The UNIFAST scholarship 2024 has been making a buzz all over the Philippines at the time of this post. The essence of this article is to inform you of all you need to know about the CHED-UNIFAST scholarship program and get you ready to apply the moment the Commission on Higher Education calls for applications.
What is the CHED-UNIFAST program?
A unified financial assistance system for tertiary education was established as a body that coordinates and strengthens student financial assistance programs in the Philippines. The implementation of recommendations released by UNIFAST is done by the Commission for Higher Education. This brings it to CHED-UNIFAST. Examples of some of the student financial assistance programs include giving student loans, grants, scholarships, and other special assistance.
The UniFAST Board consists of the Chair of CHED as UniFAST Chair; the Director-General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as Co-Chairs; the Secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), representatives from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and the National Youth Commission (NYC) as members. The chair, co-chairs and members are with the UniFAST Board by virtue of their permanent positions in their respective offices/ departments.
The various StuFAP operationalizations which UniFAST coordinates are implemented by CHED, TESDA and the following departments: DOST, DOLE, Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Agriculture (DA), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR); the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP); both Houses of Congress, and other government instrumentalities such as the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), among others.
The government financial institutions (GFIs) implementing the StuFAPs include Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP), Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), and the Social Security System (SSS).
GOVPH
Core goals of the UNIFAST program
UNIFAST is a program that coordinates all student financial assistance, especially for tertiary education. The key areas of interest in the body include:
- Free Higher Education (FHE)
- Free Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
- Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES)
- Student Loan Program for Tertiary Education-Short-Term (SLPTE-ST)
Areas covered by UNIFAST program 2024–2025
- Scholarships
- Grants-in-aid
- Student loans
- Other specialized forms of StuFAPs
In this article, we will focus on the UNIFAST Scholarship program.
Eligibility Criteria for UNIFAST Scholarship 2024–2025:
To be eligible for the CHED-UNIFAST scholarship 2024 to 2025, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a Filipino citizen,
- Must have proven financial constraint
- Graduating high school student Hor high school graduate with a general weighted average (GWA) of at least 96% for the Full Merit Program and 93% to 95% or its equivalent for the Half Merit Program
- Student-applicants belonging to the special group of persons, such as the underprivileged and homeless citizens under Republic Act (RA) No. 7279, persons with disabilities (PWDs) under RA No. 7277 as amended, and solo parents and/or their dependents under RA 8371, shall submit certifications and/or identification cards (IDs) issued by the appropriate offices or agencies.
- Avail of only one government-funded financial assistance program.
Courses covered by the UNIFAST Scholarship:
The main goal of this scholarship is to meet every student at their point of need. To ensure that financial constraints do not cause anyone to not achieve their full educational dream. Therefore, the CHED-UNIFAST scholarship covers a wide range of courses offered by accredited colleges and universities in the Philippines.
These courses include both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, ensuring that students have ample opportunities to pursue their desired field of study. From the sciences to the humanities, the scholarship program caters to various academic disciplines. However, you have to be doing well in whichever course you are studying.
The UNIFAST scholarship application process
Application Form Online:
First, it is important to note that you don’t need to pay anyone to apply for the UNIFAST scholarship because it is completely free. The form and its application processes are free and require you to apply online.
Applying for the CHED-UNIFAST scholarship is a straightforward process that begins with filling out the online application form. The form can be accessed through the official CHED-UNIFAST website. Applicants need to provide accurate and complete information to avoid any delays or complications during the evaluation process.
How to apply for the UNIFAST Scholarship 2024–2025:
It is important to note that all the application processes for the UNIFAST scholarship 2024–2025 will be made known on the official website the moment it has commenced accepting applications. For now, the application has not started.
To apply for the UNIFAST Scholarship 2024, interested individuals must follow a step-by-step process as outlined by CHED-UNIFAST. Firstly, they need to visit the official CHED-UNIFAST website and complete the online application form. After submitting the form, applicants must gather all the required documents, including academic records, proof of income, and other supporting documents.
Do not be a victim of scams. It is important to note that you are not charged to apply for this scholarship. Below are the steps you have to follow to apply for this CHED-UNIFAST scholarship:
- Prepare the complete documentary requirements
- Scan the documentary requirements.
- Download and fill out the UNIFAST scholarship application form
- Send the application and documents as guided by the form.
UNIFAST Scholarship Benefits:
The major benefit of the UNIFAST scholarship is monetary gain. However, those who are in private education universities seem to receive a higher amount as they pay tuition fees and other school fees, whereas those in state universities and local universities don’t pay tuition fees.
This scholarship program shall cover tuition and other school fees (TOSF), a stipend that shall be released directly to the scholars or through HEIs, and a book connectivity allowance per semester of a given academic year until the completion of the degree program.
UNIFAST Scholarship Requirements:
To become a recipient of the UNIFAST scholarship, there are document requirements you are supposed to submit. Below is the list of those documents.
- Academic Requirements:
- High school report card for incoming freshmen students eligible for college; and
- Duly certified true copy of grades for Grade 11 and 1st semester of Grade 12 for graduating high school students
- Citizenship: Certified true copy of Birth Certificate
- Income Requirements (whichever is applicable)
- Latest Income Tax Return (ITR) of parents or guardians;
- Certificate of Indigence, either from their Barangay or Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD);
- Certificate of Tax Exemption from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR);
- The latest copy of the contract or proof of income for the children of Overseas Filipino Workers and seafarers
- Case Study report from DSWD; and
- Other Requirement
- Identification Card (ID): Special Group (Underprivileged or Homeless, PWD, Solo Parent, Senior Citizen, Indigenous People)
UNIFAST scholarship 2024 deadline:
The deadline for applying for the CHED-UNIFAST scholarship program for 2023–2024 was reached on May 31st, 2023. However, the call for applications for the UNIFAST scholarship 2024-2025 is yet to fully start and at the right time, the deadline for the scholarship will also be made. It is therefore important for everyone interested in the scholarship to continue to follow the official website of the board for all updates and the latest information concerning important dates.
Conclusion
The CHED-UNIFAST scholarship program holds immense promise for students aspiring to pursue higher education in the Philippines. By providing financial assistance and support, the program aims to transform the lives of deserving scholars and empower them to achieve their academic dreams. The upcoming CHED-UNIFAST scholarship for 2024 offers a chance for students to seize this opportunity.
By adhering to the eligibility criteria, following the application process, and submitting their applications on time, students can take a step closer to realizing their educational goals. The CHED-UNIFAST scholarship program is a significant endeavor toward creating a brighter future for aspiring Filipino students.
