Section 3June 10, 1989, Sec./Art. 3

Criteria for Assistance. - The programs for assistance shall be based on a set of criteria which shall include, among others, tuition fees charged by the schools, the socio-economic needs of each region, overall performance of the schools, the academic qualifications and the financial needs of the students, as well as the geographic spread and size of student population.

In addition to the foregoing criteria, within such reasonable time as the State Assistance Council may determine, student grantees under the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program shall be enrolled in schools which have accredited programs or are applying for accreditation as determined by the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines, namely: The Philippine Association of Accredited Schools, Colleges and Universities, the Association of Christian Schools and Colleges Accrediting Agency, and the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation.

Preference shall be given to students whose family income is not more than thirty six thousand pesos (P36,000) or such amount as may be determined by the Council, as defined hereinafter.

For purposes of this Act, programs of assistance to students of private post-secondary education shall likewise be extended to students of community colleges and students in non-degree programs including vocational and technical courses. Implementation of the program shall encourage students to undergo tertiary education in the same region where their families reside.

The programs of assistance under this Act shall be extended only to students who are citizens of the Philippines.