Failing to make the cut? 

Failure to make BISU course 

cut? Go check other courses 

TAGBILARAN CITY, April 13, (PIA)—Because getting into the island’s only state college that packs the government’s free college tuition fee is every student’s dream, getting past the college entrance exam is still the first step. 

Bohol Island State University (BISU) the only public state university in Bohol offering the mandated free tuition college has been accepting college entrance applications and examinations since last year and continues to do so, says BISU Public Information Officer Bernarda Villarojo over at Kapihan sa PIA last week. 

Other schools in Bohol with free college tuition offers include Trinidad Municipal College and Buenavista Community College, according to the Commission on Higher Education. 

Villarojo joined BISU member of the Board of Regents, Dr. Allan Paul Sandigan to explain the government’s Republic Act No. 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. 

The salient points of the law, which started school year 2018-2019 covers free tuition for all required approved classes during the semester, excluding reviews and enhancement classes. 

In fact, at BISU, where block sectioning is practiced, any failing grade in the course would be retaken but would be paid from the student’s pocket, as his scholarship has been tagged only for one take classes. 

When this does not delist him, the more failing grades one gets, the longer he would stay to finish the course and pay for his extra stay, explains Villarojo. 

The law also includes free miscellaneous and other school fees like the use of libraries, computers and laboratories, school identification card, athletics, admissions, development, guidance services, handbook, entrance, registration, medical and dental services, and cultural activities, but does not cover other spending like for projects demanded for the classes. 

But, students and learners, must first qualify under the existing admission and retention requirements or other screening and assessment procedures required by the program, to be able to get in. 

Failing to comply with the admission policy, a student can still opt for a re-ranking in other courses, Villarojo said. 

While BISU Tagbilaran City Main Campus is getting famous for its Engineering, Arts and Sciences, Teachers Education, Technology and Allied Sciences as well as advanced studies, options for students who could not make the cut for engineering or other opted courses can still go for other courses and enjoy the same free tuition benefits according to the law. 

Of the 6 BISU campuses, each have their own specializations, according to Dr. Sandigan. 

BISU, which is also present in Clarin and Candijay and Calape offer fisheries related courses and BISU in Bilar is more of the agroforestry related courses. 

BISU in Balilihan offers information communication technology and related courses, while BISU Dauis, which is BISU main annex specializes on technology and vocational related courses. 

All of the campuses however have tourism courses integrated in their systems, Villarojo said. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol) 

FREE TUITION FEE also means when one fails a subject leading to course completion, he will have to pay for the retake, as the government has already paid for his entire course allocations but this does not include retakes or other side subjects not needed for the course, says BISU PIO Bernarda Villarojo. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)