RA 12006 makes private colleges waive entrance exam fees for some students. See the 5 conditions, which schools it covers, and how to claim it.
Mariano Luiz King
Published October 31, 2026 · Updated November 9, 2026
If you're applying to several private colleges, entrance exam fees add up fast. Republic Act No. 12006, the Free College Entrance Examinations Act, makes private colleges waive those fees for some students. This post explains who qualifies, using the law's own text, and how schools like UST and Ateneo apply it.
After reading this, you can tell if you qualify and what to prepare before you apply.
RA 12006 lapsed into law on June 14, 2024, without the President's signature. It requires private higher education institutions (private colleges and universities) to waive college entrance exam fees and charges for qualified students.
It does not cover public schools like UP, PUP, or PLM. Those schools set their own fees, and some don't charge at all. See how much each entrance exam costs.
Section 5 of the law says you must meet all five:
Here's an example. Ana is in the top 5% of her Grade 12 class, and the DSWD has certified her family as below the poverty threshold. She applies to UST and Ateneo. She qualifies for both waivers. Her classmate Ben is also in the top 10%, but his family isn't below the threshold. He doesn't qualify under this law.
Yes. The law counts students who completed or are about to complete senior high school, as well as ALS learners who passed the senior high accreditation and equivalency test.
Here's what I found on the schools' own pages, as of October 2026:
| School | What it says |
|---|---|
| UST (USTET) | Waives the fee for college applicants eligible under RA 12006 |
| Ateneo (ACET) | Exempts public school applicants; private school applicants can get a waiver if they're top 10% and below the poverty threshold |
| DLSU (DCAT) | Fee is around ₱800 based on what applicants shared; public high school applicants report it's waived |
Ateneo and UST also waive fees for some students beyond what the law requires. Ateneo, for example, exempts all public high school applicants. So check each school's page even if you don't meet all five conditions.
The law itself only names one document: the DSWD certification of your family's income status. Schools may ask for more, like proof of your class rank. The law left the detailed rules to CHED (Commission on Higher Education).
My advice:
The law lets CHED sanction officials or employees of private colleges who don't follow it. If a school charges you when you qualify, contact CHED. Bring your documents and the school's reply.
RA 12006 helps, but the bar is high. You need top 10% grades and a DSWD certification. If you have both, apply to every private college you're interested in. It costs you nothing. If you don't, check each school's own waivers, since some are wider than the law.
Not for everyone. RA 12006 waives fees at private colleges only for students who meet all five conditions. Some public universities don't charge a fee at all.
No. RA 12006 covers private colleges. UP is a public university.
Yes. Being in the top 10% of your graduating class is one of the five conditions.
The DSWD. The law says the household income condition must be certified by the DSWD.
If you're aiming for a public university instead, see free tuition in SUCs and LUCs under RA 10931.
