By: Delaila Irma T. Calindas, Project Technical Staff II

In line with its commitment to expanding awareness on government scholarship and financial aid programs, CHED-UniFAST Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) brought Project ACCESS (Acquainting In-Coming College Entrants on Scholarships and Grants-in-Aid System) to the orientation sessions of Valley Bread Inc., held on June 24–25, 2025, at the company’s main office in Buyagan, La Trinidad, Benguet.

The event catered to employee-parents with children currently enrolled in college or entering higher education. A total of 17 participants joined the first session, followed by 20 participants in the second.

Regional Coordinators from CHED-UniFAST CAR led the information sessions, presenting the various financial assistance programs available to eligible students. In the first session, Ms. Jezeny Laoyan and Mr. Lemuel Refuerzo served as resource speakers, followed by Ms. Jurcell Dilla and Ms. Cristy Pitas in the second. They discussed the key provisions of Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, which covers programs such as Free Higher Education, the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), and the Tulong Dunong Program. They also introduced the CHED Merit Scholarship Program, which specifically targets qualified incoming first-year college students.

Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) also graced the event, presenting their respective scholarship and training opportunities to further support the educational goals of participating families.

Project ACCESS is the official Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiative of CHED-UniFAST CAR, designed to empower students and parents by providing accurate, up-to-date information about government-funded educational support.

Through engagements like this with the private sector, CHED-UniFAST CAR continues to uphold its mission of promoting inclusive and equitable access to quality higher education for all.