Marcos signs expanded college aid law, adding support for internships, licensure costs and PWD allowances

President Bongbong Marcos on Friday signed Republic Act No. 12325, amending the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act to strengthen support for Filipino students pursuing higher education and technical-vocational training.

The measure, signed at Malacañang, amends RA 10931, which grants free tuition and other school fees at state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, and government-run technical-vocational institutions. It also provides additional aid through the Tertiary Education Subsidy and student loan programs.

The expanded law prioritizes students from low-income and disadvantaged households, including qualified beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.

“Today, we take that another step further. The amendments ensure that government assistance reaches those who need it most, particularly students from poor and disadvantaged families, including qualified 4Ps beneficiaries,” Marcos said during the signing.

Under RA 12325, state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, and state-run technical-vocational institutions are required to adopt Equity and Inclusion Plans to support disadvantaged students through measures such as targeted fee waivers and priority access to campus facilities.

The law broadens the coverage of the Tertiary Education Subsidy to include other education-related expenses, such as internships or Related Learning Experience, professional licensure requirements and allowances for students with disabilities.

Eligible students may also be granted an additional year to finish their degree or training programs in justifiable circumstances.

RA 12325 also introduces a pilot financial assistance program for disadvantaged students enrolled in priority programs at private higher education and technical-vocational institutions.

The law also mandates a comprehensive annual report to Congress detailing program results, budget utilization and employment tracer studies of beneficiaries.