The Philippines does not have an in-state and out-of-state tuition system like the United States. What it does have is free tuition at public colleges. Under Republic Act No. 10931, the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, Filipino students pay no tuition or miscellaneous school fees at state universities and colleges (SUCs) and local universities and colleges (LUCs). This applies no matter which province you come from.
To qualify, you must be a Filipino citizen enrolled in a bachelor’s degree or comparable undergraduate program. You also need to pass the school’s entrance exam and meet its admission and retention rules. Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree, who fail to meet retention policies, or who take longer than the allowed period to finish are not covered. The law itself spells out these terms: https://pcw.gov.ph/republic-act-no-10931-universal-access-to-quality-tertiary-education-actrepublic-act-no-10931/
The same law created two more support programs. The Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) gives financial help to qualified students, including those in private colleges, for tuition and school-related costs. The Student Loan Program for Tertiary Education offers loans to students who need short-term or long-term help with school expenses. Both are worth asking about at your school’s scholarship or student affairs office.
Private colleges still charge tuition, and the amount varies by school and program. If you are choosing between a public and a private school, compare the full cost: tuition, fees, transport, and living expenses. A free-tuition public school far from home can still cost more overall than a private school near your family. The cutting tuition costs and maximizing your financial aid pages have more ways to plan. Students weighing their options can also read five ways to attain a tuition-free degree for paths to a degree with little or no tuition cost.
Do not rely on rumors about who qualifies. Rules change, and each school applies them a little differently. Check the official CHED or UniFAST announcements and confirm details with your registrar before you enroll.

