UniFAST TES and TDP-TES Maintaining Grade Requirements 2026: Official Guidelines
Understand the official maintaining rules, GWA retention policies, maximum residency limits, and stipend guidelines for UniFAST TES and Tulong Dunong grantees under Republic Act 10931.
The Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and the Tulong Dunong Program-TES (TDP-TES) are among the most widespread government financial assistance programs for Filipino college students. Managed by the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) under the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), these grants support students in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), and private Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
A frequent question among grantees is whether they must maintain a strict General Weighted Average (GWA) to keep receiving their financial grant. This guide explains the official retention rules under Republic Act No. 10931 (Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act) and the 2026 UniFAST Board guidelines.
Is There a Minimum GWA Requirement for UniFAST TES?
Unlike merit-based programs such as the DOST Scholarship (which requires a 2.50 minimum GWA) or the CHED Merit Scholarship (which requires an 85% to 93% average), the UniFAST TES and TDP-TES do NOT impose a fixed numerical GWA maintaining grade.
Under Republic Act 10931 and the UniFAST Board Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2026, grantees are evaluated based on institutional retention and continuous enrollment rather than a competitive grade cutoff.
Official Retention Requirements for TES Grantees
To maintain your active grant status and receive your semester stipend, you must satisfy the following four core conditions:
| Requirement | Official Rule | Consequence of Non-Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Institutional Academic Retention | Comply with your college's admission and retention policies (no academic dismissal or permanent disqualification). | Grantees dismissed by their university lose eligibility. |
| Continuous Enrollment | Maintain regular, active enrollment each semester in a CHED-recognized degree program. | Unapproved Leave of Absence (LOA) forfeits the subsidy for that term. |
| Maximum Residency Period (MRP) | Complete your degree within your program's prescribed duration plus a maximum grace period of one (1) academic year (e.g., 5 years max for a 4-year degree). | Exceeding the MRP+1 limit terminates subsidy benefits. |
| Undergraduate Degree Limit | Grantees must be pursuing their first undergraduate baccalaureate degree. | Students with an existing bachelor's degree are ineligible. |
What Happens If You Receive Failing Grades (5.0 / F)?
Receiving a failing mark in one or two subjects does not automatically terminate your UniFAST TES grant, provided:
- You are not dismissed from your university: As long as your cumulative academic performance allows you to re-enroll (under warning, probation, or regular status), you remain an eligible grantee.
- You clear prerequisites: You must retake and pass the failed subject before proceeding to subsequent degree requirements. Non-academic subjects like PATHFit and NSTP must also be completed before graduation.
- You remain within the Maximum Residency Period: Repeatedly failing courses will extend your stay beyond the allowed 1-year grace period, resulting in the loss of Free Higher Education coverage and TES benefits.
TES vs. TDP-TES: Grant Amount Comparison (2026)
The financial package provided by UniFAST depends on the specific grant category and whether you attend a public SUC or a private HEI in a municipality with no public college:
| Grant Type | Institution Type | Annual Grant Amount | Coverage / Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| TES-1 (Tuition & Fees) | Private HEIs (No SUC/LUC locality) | Up to PHP 20,000 / year | Covers tuition and mandatory school fees directly billed to the institution. |
| TES-2 (Living Allowance) | SUCs, LUCs, and Private HEIs | PHP 20,000 to PHP 40,000 / year | Direct stipend for books, transportation, board and lodging, and connectivity. |
| TES-3 (Persons with Disability) | All Qualified HEIs | Additional PHP 10,000 / year | Supplemental assistance for students with verified disabilities. |
| Tulong Dunong (TDP-TES) | SUCs, LUCs, Private HEIs | PHP 15,000 / year (PHP 7,500/sem) | Targeted grant for qualified students in priority congressional districts. |
How to Verify Your Billing and Grantee Status
UniFAST disburse funds directly to Higher Education Institutions via the UniFAST Billing Portal. To check your disbursement status:
- Contact Your School's TES Focal Person: Located in the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) or Scholarship Office.
- Verify Enrolled Units on Your Certificate of Registration (COR): Ensure all subjects and unit counts match your university registrar records.
- Monitor Official School Memoranda: Colleges issue official lists of validated grantees when Landbank payroll cards or cash disbursements are scheduled.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I transfer schools and keep my TES subsidy?
Transferring is permitted between CHED-recognized HEIs, but you must secure an official Certificate of Transfer / Honorable Dismissal and request your new institution's TES Focal Person to endorse a transfer of grantee records via the UniFAST portal.
2. Does dropping a subject cancel my UniFAST subsidy?
Officially dropping a subject with a grade of "DRP" does not cancel your grant, provided you remain enrolled in the minimum load required by your university for that semester.
3. Can I compute my GWA to monitor my school's retention standing?
Yes. Monitoring your semester standing helps ensure you stay above your college's academic probation cutoff. You can calculate your weighted grades using our free General GWA Calculator or state university tools like the PUP GWA Calculator and UP GWA Calculator.