Scholarship and Student Assistance Programs

Programs aim to address equity and access by providing direct financial assistance to deserving TVET enrollees across all regions in the country. The scholarship programs currently being implemented include the following:

Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA)

This program was established through Section 8 of Republic Act No. 8545, otherwise known as the Expanded Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) Act. PESFA offers educational grants to qualified and deserving college freshmen both in degree and non-degree courses. The program seeks to:

1. extend financial assistance to marginalized but deserving students in post-secondary non-degree courses;
2. promote TVET;
3. contribute to the development of a competent skilled workforce; and
4. assist private institutions in their development efforts by assuring a steady supply of enrollees to their course offerings.

The PESFA directed the beneficiaries on the choices of careers to the critical skills requirements of in-demand jobs in the labor market. It also allows for equity distribution of the opportunities made available through government subsidies.

Implementing Guidelines

Training for Work Scholarship (TWSP)

This program provides immediate interventions to meet the need for highly critical skills. The program has two-fold objectives:

to purposively drive TVET provision to available jobs through incentives and appropriate training programs that are directly connected to existing jobs for immediate employment, both locally and overseas,
to build and strengthen the capacity and capability of TVET institutions in expanding and improving the delivery of quality, efficient and relevant training programs that meet job requirements, including programs for higher levels of technology.

The program was launched in May 2006 with funding from the Office of the President and mainstreamed in the regular budget in 2008. This program is a response to the clamor of industry to address the critical skills shortages in priority sectors, particularly the Business Process Outsourcing, metals and engineering, construction and tourism, among others.

Implementing Guidelines for the 2017 (TWSP) Allocation for TESDA Technology Institutions (TTIs)

TWSP Physical and Financial Accomplishment Report

- 2018
- 2017
- 2016 1st SEM / 2nd SEM
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013

Special Training for Employment Program (STEP)

STEP is a community-based specialty training program that addresses the specific skills needs of the communities and promote employment, particularly through entrepreneurial, self-employment and service-oriented activities. Training programs offered are generally short-term or modules based on the Training Regulations promulgated by TESDA. Its objective is to provide skills and training opportunities for the beneficiaries in the barangays/ communities to make them employable and productive.

Both public and private techvoc providers, but mostly local government training centers and TESDA Technology Institutions, deliver the training programs under STEP.

The beneficiaries of STEP receive the following assistance: free training and competency assessment, starter toolkits and training allowance of sixty pesos (Php 60.00) per day for the duration of the training.

The program was introduced only in 2014 in line with thrust of expanding the reach of TVET to the grassroots.