Far Eastern University (FEU) declared the non-implementation of a tuition fee increase for School Year (S.Y.) 2025-2026 to ‘alleviate financial stress and support student growth,’ announced last February 27.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Rosanna Salcedo explained that the reason for non-implementation of tuition fee increase for the next semester was to ensure that education remains accessible and affordable for students. 

“We believe that by keeping tuition at status quo, we can help reduce financial stress and allow students to focus on their academic and personal growth. We recognize the challenges that rising costs can create, and FEU is committed to ensuring that education remains accessible and affordable for all of our students,” Salcedo stated. 

The CFO explained that tuition fee adjustments are influenced by factors such as inflation, operational costs, and investments in new facilities and academic Technologies. 

According to Salcedo, inflation affects essential expenses, such as faculty and staff salaries, facility maintenance, and campus utilities. Additionally, continuous investments in upgrading classrooms, laboratories, and digital learning tools are also influenced by making tuition fee adjustments.

When tuition fee increases, Salcedo emphasized that it is justified through visible improvements including facility upgrades, enhanced student services, such as certification programs and career development, and investments in faculty and staff training.

“The University prioritizes visible improvements that directly benefit students. This includes upgrading and maintaining campus facilities to provide a conducive learning environment, enhancing student services such as certification programs and career development, and investing in faculty training and support staff development to ensure high-quality education and efficient services,” she explained.

Meanwhile, the CFO stated that the University involves students and stakeholders in adjusting tuition fees through consultations, including University-wide discussions and institute level meetings where department chairs and deans gather students’ insights with representatives from respective student-led organizations. 

The declaration of no tuition fee increase was shared during a meeting led by the Office of Academic Services and the Student Development Office with representatives from FEU Central Student Organization (FEUCSO), Institute Student Councils, and FEU Advocate last January 15. 

Last year’s consultation meeting included many students, whereas this year’s meeting was led by student-leaders.

Additionally, Salcedo highlighted that the University allocates funds based on Commission on Higher Education (CHED) regulations, with a significant portion allocated to the faculty and staff salaries, while the rest is directed toward the enhancement of campus facilities, student programs, and other institutional improvements.

In a separate interview, FEUCSO President Christmer Ordanes acknowledged the non-implementation of tuition fee increase, however, prompts to advocate for quality education and services. 

"The rising costs of education, along with systemic issues such as insufficient state funding and privatization, continue to affect accessibility and quality. As a student government, we see this as an opportunity to push for long-term reforms—ensuring that tuition remains reasonable while also improving financial assistance programs and the overall learning environment," he stated. 

Additionally, the FEUCSO president explained the importance of budget allocations and the maximization of funds for services, facilities, and student organization fundings. 

"More than just numbers on a budget sheet, students should be able to feel the value of what they are paying for. Every peso allocated should translate into tangible improvements that enhance learning, campus life, and student-led initiatives. A reassessment of tuition fee allocation is necessary to ensure that funding truly benefits the student body in ways they can see and experience," he said. 

According to Ordanes, there should be a reassessment of fees and reallocation of resources toward student organizations and publications to better support student initiatives. 

"We advocate for gradual yet meaningful increases in funding through reallocation because even a single peso at a time can make a difference… That being said, we also emphasize that addressing funding gaps should not come at the expense of students," he added.

Ordanes suggested collaborations with external agencies through financial subsidies, scholarships, and other external funding partnerships to aid students into making education more accessible without increasing the costs. 

Moreover, FEUCSO discussed with the National Union of Students of the Philippines - National Capital Region regarding tuition fee increase and the role of student government in challenging the unfair tuition hikes.

As per CHED Memorandum Order No. 31, Series of 2024, the 2023 Table of Regional Inflation (TIR) should be used as a guide in determining the tuition fee increase for S.Y. 2024-2025 of Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs). 

In the 2023 TIR, the Regional Inflation Rate in the National Capital Region is at 6.2 percent.  

The University’s last tuition fee increase was during S.Y. 2023-2024 with a three-percent increase in tuition and miscellaneous fees due to a six-percent inflation forecast.

However, Tamaraw freshmen of S.Y. 2024-2025 still experienced a three-percent tuition fee increase due to the country’s rising inflation rate. 

Based on the reports of Philippine Statistics Authority, the country’s average inflation rate in 2024 is 3.2 percent, which falls within the government’s target range of two to four percent. 

Several nearby schools have proposed tuition and fees increase in PHEIs for S.Y. 2025-2026, including Ateneo de Manila University with a six-percent increase, Adamson University and University of the East with a five-percent increase, De La Salle University and Centro Escolar University with three percent. 

CHED set the deadline for petitions regarding tuition fee increases in PHEIs last February 28.

- Kasharelle Javier and Julliane Nicole B. Labinghisa
(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)