Pasay city: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday sought the expansion of the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST). This, as Marcos led the awarding of scholarship grants to student beneficiaries of the CHED-UniFAST and unveiled the electronic Certification, Authentication, and Verification (e-CAV), a digital system designed to streamline scholarship documentation and verification.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos emphasized the importance of strengthening and expanding the CHED-UniFAST, noting the significant impact on communities when the country produces more professionals who will serve as pillars of national development. He highlighted the necessity of implementing clear guidelines for accessing student financial aid programs under CHED's guidance through UniFAST to prevent confusion and misinformation.
Marcos urged all state and local universities and colleges, private higher education institutions, local governments, and partners to continue collaborating with the government. He also called on Congress to support efforts in strengthening UniFAST for its full implementation as intended by law.
The ultimate goal of UniFAST, Marcos stated, is to assist youth from vulnerable sectors in pursuing higher education without the burden of tuition, miscellaneous, and other school fees. Under the initiative, student beneficiaries will receive at least PHP20,000 for their tuition and other school-related expenses. Additional financial aid is available for persons with disabilities, including a PHP5,000 cash aid and up to PHP8,000 reimbursement for degree programs with licensure examinations.
Marcos noted that the initiative provides significant relief to millions of families, reducing financial worries for parents and allowing students to focus more freely on their education. He expressed optimism that more students would remain in school and complete their education, easing the burden on their families.
During the event, Marcos also launched the e-CAV, an online scholarship documentation system offering a modern solution to the challenges of the traditional manual process. This innovation aligns with the e-government initiative, marking a milestone in ensuring seamless and accessible verification of academic records by streamlining lengthy procedures.
Marcos reiterated the commitment to building competitiveness through education, ensuring that Filipinos can compete globally. He called for the strengthening of both the e-CAV and UniFAST as pillars of inclusive and modern education in the Philippines.
