Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

HOUSE Bil. No_4439__

Introduced by: Congresswoman Julieta R. Coruna and Congressman Mariano U. Piamonte Jr.
Representatives, A TEACHER Party-List

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Education will always be expensive. In the Philippines, education that is free and
accessible oftentimes lacks quality, making quality education almost a luxury for some,
especially ordinary Filipinos. This current state is detrimental to our national development

Fducation is an investment for the future. The kind of education that we can provide will
be tantamount (o the kind of future that we can hope for as a country, the kind of future that we
are worthy of

This bill seeks to provide assistance through scholarship programs to part-ume and
independent deserving students. It also aims to prescribe the powers and functions of the state
agencies and institutions of higher education in the country in order t0 better facihilate and
provide good quality education for everybody

HON, MARIANO U, PLAMONTE JR.


Repubhe of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City. Metro Manila
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

HOUSE BILL. No_4439 _

Introduced by: Congresswoman Julieta R. Cortana and Congressman Mariano U. Piamonte Jr.
Representatives. A TEACHER Party-List

AN ACT
TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO PART-TIME AND INDEPENDENT STUDENTS

Be tt enacted by the Senate and the House of Represematives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled.

SECTION 1. Short Tide. — This Act shail be known as the “Part-Time Independent Students
Grant Act™

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is hereby declared the policy of the State 10 provide
quality education for all and establish a grant program to foster the pursuit of post-secondary
education by part-time, independent students who have insufficient financial resources.
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this section, the term-
(1) “Commission” means the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines
(2) “Financial Need” means nced as determined by the institution based upon a need analysis
standard established by the Commission. ‘The standard shall include and take into

consideration the student's current annual income and exclude his or her home equity.

(3) “Independent Student” refers to a student who finances his or her education without the
assistance from anybody, including fa

(4) “Part-time” means not less than 3 semesters hours and not more than 12 semester hours
per semester, or the equivalent for a quarter or term.

SECTION 4. Eligibitity to Participate in a Grant Program. — A person is cligible to participate
in the grant program if he or she meets the following qualifications

{a} [s a part-time student,

{b) ls an independent student;


(c) Has obtained a high school diploma for at least 2 preceding years;

(d) Is enrolled or eligible for enrcilment in an undergraduate program of not less than 9
months duration leading to a college degree, in an educational institution accredited by
CHED:

{e) Has good moral character and has not been convicted of any crime involving moral
depravity:

«f) Has complied with this Act and the rules promulgated under this Act by the Commission:
(g) Is a Filipino citizen or permanent resident of the Philippines;

(hy 1s 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.

(W) 15 not in default on a loan guaranteed by the Commission or any goverment entity or
agency.

(i) Is shown by the schoo! to be making satisfactory academic progress

SECTION S. Total Amount Granted 10 Educational Institutions; Use of Funds. ‘the amount
granted t0 an educational institution shall be proportionate to the number of disadvantaged
independent students eligible for this program and 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 and not for administration of the program.

SECTION 6. Maximum Grant to Eligible Student: Priority;
Grants. —

ifect of Other Scholarships or

(Upon appheation of an eligible student, an educational institution shall grant to the
student an amount of not more than P30. 000.00 per academic year for not more than a
12-month period at any given educational institution.

If the number of eligible applicants exceed the funds available, priority shall be given to
persons with the greatest financial need as determined by each educational insiatution

(BIA student who receives state university scholarship award or who receives other
scholarships or grants may be eligible for funds under this Act if the total amount of the
student's scholarships and grants 1s less than the student's financial need. A student's
scholarship and grants may be increased by funds from the program under this act up to
the level of maximum grant as provided in subsection ay


SECTION 7. Source of Funds. — The budget for the Grant Program will be extracted from the
Commission's ltigher Education Development Fund.

SECTION 8. Gifis, Grants, Donations, and Devises: Acceptance Authorized; Annual Report. ~
The Commission may also accept gifts. grants, donations, and devises, from whatever sources, of
teal. personal, or mixed property and money for the purposes described in this Act. The
Commission shall prepare an anaual report of all gifts, grants, donations, and devises received.

SECTION 9, Implementing Rules. - The Commission shall promulgate rules to implement the
provision of this Act.

SECTION 10. Separability Clause. Mf any provision or part thereof is held unconstitutional or
invalid. the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain valid and
subsisting,

SECTION 11. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order,
letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation 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.

HON, JULIETA R, CORTUNA

HON. MARIANO U. PIAMONTE JR.