Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. 4i

Tntroduced by: Congressman Mariano U. Piamonte Jr. and
Congresswoman Julieta R. Cortuna, 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.

Education is an investment for the future. The kind of education that we can provide will
be tantamount to 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-time 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 to better facilitate and

provide good quality education for everybody.
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Republic of the Philippines

Bouse of Representatives
Batasan Hills, Quezon City

SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House BillNG. 4 2

‘ongressman Mariano U, Piamonte Jr. and
Congresswoman Julieta R. Cortuna, Representatives, A TEACHER Party-list

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

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title — This Act shall be known as the “Part-Time Independent Students
Grant Act”.

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 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 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 need 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/her home equity.

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

(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. Eligibility to Participate in a Grant Program — A person is eligible to
participate in the grant program if he or she meets the following qualifications:


(a) Is a part-time student;

(b) Is an independent student;

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

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

CHED.

(©) 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;

(h) 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;

(H Is not in default on a loan guaranteed by the Commission or any government entity or
agency;

(i) Is shown by the school to be making satisfactory academic progress.

SECTION 5. Total Amount Granted to Educational Institutions; Use of Funds — The
amount granted to 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 of 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; Priori
or Grants. —

Effect of Other Scholarships

(1) Upon application 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.

(2) 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 institution.

(3) A student who receives a 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 is 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 (1).


SECTION 7. Source of Funds - The budget for the Grant Program will be extracted from the
Commission’s Higher Education Development Fund.

SECTION 8. Gifts, Grants, Donations and Devises; Acceptance Authorized; Annual
Report — The CTheommission may also accept gifts, grants, 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, donations, and
devises received.

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

SECTION 10, Separability Clause — If 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 or 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. Effeetivity Clause — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days afier its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved.