In response to media reports claiming the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) was delayed in disbursing tuition reimbursements as part of the Free Tuition 2017 program, CHED revealed they are nearly finished for the first two semesters of the 2017-2018 academic year.

In a press release earlier this week, the commission said Philippine Merchant Marine Academy in San Narciso, Zambales and Adiong Memorial Polytechnic State College in Ditsaan-Ramain, Lanao del Sur have yet to receive disbursements due to separate budget matters.

The Free Tuition 2017 program, different from RA 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which provides free tuition at state colleges and universities, is an additional financial aid program for those eligible for the Student Financial Assistance Program.

In order to apply the government assistance toward tuition bills, schools assess charges to the Higher Education Support Fund instead of the student./WDJ