LINGAYEN, Pangasinan (PIA) — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) distributed educational assistance to 638 indigent but deserving students of Urdaneta City University (UCU) on October 10 at the SM City Urdaneta Central in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan.
The financial assistance provided through CHED’s Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), which is part of the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST), is a grant-in-aid program designed to support students from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by alleviating their financial burdens.
Each scholar received ₱7,500, enabling them to pay for their educational expenses such as tuition and miscellaneous fees, thereby reducing their financial stress until they graduate without any required maintaining grade.
However, if a student fails a subject, his or her eligibility for the program may be affected.
During the payout, CHED Region 1 Director Christine Ferrer underscored the vital role of education in building a better future, emphasizing that one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), specifically SDG 4, focuses on ensuring quality education for all.
“In all our programs at CHED, we address the UN SDGs. We aim to provide a platform for students from HEIs to showcase and develop solutions while exploring collaborations and partnerships with the industry players in achieving the UN SDGs, particularly those related to environmental health and quality education,” said Ferrer.
By linking financial assistance to this goal, CHED not only supports students in their academic pursuits but also empowers them to make meaningful contributions to sustainable development in their communities.
Maria Luiza Bayong, a fresh graduate of Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education of UCU, said the financial assistance she received is a big help in preparing for her upcoming board examination.
“Actually, the TDP I received is for my last semester, which I only got now. I enrolled in a review center, and this will help me focus more on my review and lessen my worries about expenses while reviewing,” said Bayong, expressing her hope that more indigent students will receive government assistance to achieve their education.
Joshua Carbonel, a third-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student of UCU and a TDP recipient, also expressed his gratitude to CHED for helping fund his and others’ educational needs.
“This is a big help for students like me; it supports my daily expenses. It continues every semester until I finish my studies,” said Carbonel.
UCU is an HEI in Pangasinan operated by the city government of Urdaneta. (MJTAB/JCDR/KCC/PIA Pangasinan)
