\&l, 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC) 
OFTHE PHILIPPINES 
1 
6 M - 7  P 4 r n  
Third Regular Session 
1 
S.B. No. 
R&CEIV€D BY : +- 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
. 
^ .  
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution, Article 14, Section 1, provides: 
The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality 
education at d levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make such education 
accessible to all. 
It M e r  provides in the same Article, Section 2 (3) that: 
The State shall: 
(3) Establish and maintab a system of scholarship grants, student loan 
programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving 
students in both public and private schools, especially to the under-privileged; 
However, even though the government wants to give each and every deserving student a 
scholmhip grant or a financial aid for them to finish tertiary education, it cannot possibly do so 
for lack of funds. To address the problem of lack of funds and maintaining a scholarship 
program for deserving students, both the students and the government should meet halgway. In 
other words, the government will provide additional funds to those who are already working 
while studying part-time. In that way, the government can help more deserving students ks 
compared to a progrim where the government shoulders everything. In addition, this method 
also encourageststudents not to rely too much on government and find a way to help themselves. 


“Em 
CONGRESS OF THE REPIJBLIC) 
OFTHE PHnIPPINES 
1 
Third Regular Session 
1 
6 
PdJG -7 ?480 
I 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
AN ACT 
OF HIGHER EDUCATION 
GRANTING FINANCIAL AID TO DESERVmG PART-TIME STUDENTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the PhiI@pines in 
Congress ?sembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Part-Time Student Grant 
Act of2006.” 
SECTION 2. Declmution of Pohy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take 
appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all. In this regard, the State shall provide 
fimds to help part-time students to finish their tertiary education while they are working. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the term - 
(1) “Commission” means the Commission on Higher Education; 
(2) “Financial need” means need as determined by the Commission based upon a need 
analysis standard established by the Commission. Such standard shall take into 
considemtion the s!udat’s current annual income and exclude his or her home equity; 
(3) “Part-time students’’ means a student taking not less than three (3) semester hours 
and not more than eleven (1 1) semester hours per semester, or the equivalent for a 
quarter or term. The term covers only part-time students who are working while 
studying. 


SECTION 4. 
Grant Program; Establishment and Purpose. - A grant prograin is 
established by the government to fosh the pursuit of tertiary education by pwt-he, 
independent students who have financial need. 
SECTION 5. Participation in Grant Program; Eligibili&. - A person is eligible to 
participate in the grant program if he or she meets all of the following: 
(1) Is a part-time student. 
(2) Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a university or college of not less than nine 
(9) months duration leading to a degree or certificate from a degree granting educational 
institution that is approved by the Commission. 
(3) Has resided continuously in this country for the immediately preceding twelve (12) 
months and is not considered a resident of any other country. 
(4) Is not incamrated in a corrections institution. 
(5) Has complied with this Act and the rules promulgated under this Act by the 
Commission. 
(6) Is a Philippine citizen. 
(7) Is not enrolled in an institution whose primary purpose is to prepare students for 
ordination or appointment as a member of the clergy of a church, denomination, or 
religious association, order, or sect. 
(8) Is not in default bn a loan guaranteed by the Commission 
(9) Is hewn by the school that he/she is enrolled in to be making satisfactory academic 
progress. 
SECTION 6. Total Amount Granted to Educational Instirution; Use of F u d .  - The total 
of the amount panted to an educational institution shall be proportionate to the number of needy 


independent students eligible for this program enrolled at the institution for the most recent year 
for which statistics are available. Funds provided to eligible schools shall be used for awards to 
students, not for administration of the program. 
SECTION 7. Mmimum Grant to Eligible Student; Priority; Effect of Other Scholarships 
or Grant Awards.. - (1) The Commission shall determine the niaximum amount an eligible 
student can receive per academic year. 
(2) If the number of eligible applicants exceeds the money available, priority shall be 
given to persons with the greatest financial need as determined by each educational institution. 
(3) A student who is already receiving a scholarship or grant award, may be eligible for 
funds under this Act if the total amount of the student's scholarships and grants is less than the 
student's financial need. A student's scholarship and grant awards may be increased with funds 
fmm the program under this act up to the level of the maximum grant BS provided in this Act. 
SECTION 8. G@s, Grants, Bequests, Donations, And Devises; Acceptance Authorized; 
Annual Report. - The Commission may accept gifts, grants, bequests, donations, and devises, 
from whatever sources, of real, personal, or mixed property and money for the purposes 
described in this act. The Commission shall prepare an annual report of all gifts, grants, bequests, 
donations, and devises for the governor and the legislature. 
SECTION 9. Promulgation ofhplemeniing Rules and Regulations. - The Board shall 
make reasonable rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient administration of this Act 
within six (6) months fiom the time that this Act takes effect. 
SECTION 10. SeparabiZtty Clause. - If any provision or part thereof, is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting. 


SECTION 11. Repealing CZause. - Any law, presidentid decree or issuance, executive 
order, letter of instructiOn, administrative order, rule or =dation contrary to, or inconsistent 
with the provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 12. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
jps/3-31-06