10 schools seek tuition fee hike

CEBU, Philippines —  At least 10 higher education institutions (HEIs) in Central Visayas have sought permission from the Commission on Higher Education in Central Visayas (CHED-7) to increase tuition and other school fees for Academic Year 2026–2027.

Maria Antonette F. Reyes, education program specialist of CHED-7, confirmed that the agency has received applications for tuition adjustments. However, no approvals have been granted as the proposals remain under review in accordance with existing policies and prevailing economic conditions.

The 10 applicant schools are spread across the region, with three located in Cebu City, three in Mandaue City, two in Bohol province, and two in Cebu province. CHED-7, however, declined to identify the institutions involved.

“Usually, ang increase nga ilang gipangayo kay dili sa specific course lang but tanan courses sa ilang school,” Reyes said.

She noted that the institutions complied with documentary requirements under CHED Memorandum Order No. 3, Series of 2012, including certificates of compliance, certificates of intended compliance, and notarized comparative schedules of proposed fee adjustments.

Although schools submitted their requirements before the May 10 deadline, Reyes said none of the proposals are currently being processed due to the existing order governing tuition and fee increase applications.

She added that institutions are not allowed to exceed a 3.5-percent increase, which corresponds to the region’s inflation rate, when proposing adjustments in tuition and other fees.

Of the 10 applications received, most involve both tuition and miscellaneous fee increases, while two institutions proposed adjustments only to miscellaneous and related charges.

Reyes explained that the tuition adjustment process follows a strict schedule. Some institutions submitted their applications as early as January, while others filed in March. The deadline for documentary submissions was February 18, followed by a consultation period that ended on February 28, in line with CHED guidelines.

Approvals, she said, are granted only after institutions satisfy all documentary and procedural requirements and complete the full evaluation process.

Under existing CHED guidelines, proceeds from any approved tuition increase must be allocated as follows: 70 percent for salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits of teaching and non-teaching personnel; 20 percent for the improvement and modernization of facilities, equipment, libraries, laboratories, gymnasiums and other operational expenses; and 10 percent for the institution’s return on investment.

“Dili mi makakuan (hatag) sa rate, pero mo limit gyud ta sa regional inflation rate nga 3.5 percent,” Reyes said, adding that schools are strongly encouraged to keep proposed increases within the regional inflation rate.

Meanwhile, CHED-7 Focal Person for Student Financial Assistance Programs (StuFAPs) and the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), Melissa L. Castillote, provided updates on scholarship opportunities and student assistance programs during the Kapihan sa PIA held on May 26 in Cebu City.

According to Castillote, CHED is offering a special scholarship this year under the Bagong Pilipinas Merit Scholarship Program, which is currently accepting applications.

Qualified applicants must be incoming college freshmen for Academic Year 2026–2027 and must either belong to the Top 5 of their senior high school graduating class or possess at least a 95-percent General Weighted Average (GWA).

CHED said applicants must enroll in priority programs, including healthcare and education courses. Scholarship benefits include stipends, tuition and other school fees, book allowances, and connectivity allowances.

Also discussed was the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP), which requires applicants enrolled in the region to have at least a 93-percent GWA.

Castillote said applicants from special sectors, including Indigenous Peoples (IPs), Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and underprivileged groups, must submit certifications and identification cards issued by the appropriate agencies.

Qualified applicants from these sectors will receive an additional five points in the scholarship ranking process.

“Ika-panghambog jud namo nga dako jud ang madawat sa scholar ani,” Castillote said, referring to the financial benefits available under the scholarship programs.

Under the full merit category, scholars will receive P60,000 per semester, while half merit scholars will receive P30,000 per semester.

For students enrolled in public or state universities, full merit scholars will receive P40,000 per semester, while half merit scholars will receive P20,000 per semester.

Another scholarship program highlighted was ESTATISTIKOLAR, which is being implemented in partnership with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and is intended for aspiring statisticians.

Applicants must be enrolled in either Bachelor of Science in Statistics or Bachelor of Science in Applied Statistics to qualify.

For coconut farmers and their families, CHED offers the Coconut Farmers and Their Families Scholarship Program (COSCHO). Applicants must be registered under the National Coconut Farmers Registry System (NCFRS).

Under the program, scholars receive P40,000 per semester, along with a one-time laptop assistance grant worth P30,000.

The scholarship also provides one-time support for thesis and on-the-job training (OJT) expenses amounting to P75,000.

Another scholarship initiative is the Sugarcane Industry Development Act Scholarship Grant Program (SIDA-SGP), intended for children and dependents of sugarcane industry workers and small sugarcane farmers. Beneficiaries must likewise be registered under the sugarcane industry.

Unlike other scholarship programs, SIDA-SGP covers both undergraduate and graduate studies. Undergraduate scholars may receive P110,000 annually, or P55,000 per semester, while graduate scholars may receive P175,000 annually, or P85,000 persemester.

Like the COSCHO program, SIDA-SGP beneficiaries are also entitled to one-time OJT and thesis-related assistance.

Castillote encouraged interested students to visit CHED-7’s official website and social media platforms for more information on available scholarship grants and financial assistance programs. — Sofhia Grace Neri Marjorey B. Cantila CNU Interns  (FREEMAN)