Voluntary tuition scheme for financially capable SUC students questioned

THE practicality of allowing financially capable students of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) to pay tuition voluntarily is under scrutiny after the University of the Philippines (UP) reported that 10% or less of its students made such payments.

- By Almira Louise S. Martinez Reporter

UP President Angelo A. Jimenez noted that in 2024, the university recorded that 10% of its students paid tuition in the first semester and 9% paid in the second semester.

“Very few opted out (of the free SUC tuition scheme) although they are qualified. Many of these are those who exceeded (the duration of their program), or are taking their second degree. There are limits,” he said at a Senate budget hearing.

Mr. Jimenez’s income breakdown for families of UP students was about 50% earning P500,000 a year, with the families of 10% earn-ingmore than PI million. Those with no income records account for 10%.

SUCs offer free tuition under Republic Act 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. Section 4 of the law requires SUCs, including those backed by local governments, to develop a “mechanism” that enables the financially capable to “voluntarily opt out of the tuition and other school fees subsidy or make acontribution to the school.”