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

The Commission on Higher Education – Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (CHED-UniFAST) Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) successfully concluded the conferment of the UniFAST Academic Excellence Award for Academic Year (AY) 2024–2025, recognizing the exemplary academic performance of its student-grantees across the region.

A total of 29 student-grantees were conferred with the award, most of whom received the recognition during their respective commencement exercises. This marks a notable increase from the 24 awardees in AY 2023–2024. Of this year’s honorees, 18 graduated as Cum Laude, 9 as Magna Cum Laude, and 2 as Summa Cum Laude—a testament to their dedication and hard work.

The UniFAST Academic Excellence Award is bestowed upon a graduating student-grantee who has attained the highest General Weighted Average (GWA) in their higher education institution, in accordance with institutional academic guidelines, and is a recipient of any program under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA).

Beyond academic merit, the award also honors grantees who have demonstrated leadership, civic engagement, and active participation in co-curricular and community development initiatives, embodying the ideals of holistic student development.

For AY 2024–2025, a total of 927 UniFAST student-grantees from 47 partner Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Cordillera graduated with Latin honors. Among them, 87.49% were conferred as Cum Laude. 76.91% of all Latin honorees were beneficiaries of the Free Higher Education Program. Meanwhile, 108 graduates (11.65%) were recipients of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES), and 130 graduates (14.02%) were beneficiaries of the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP).

The growing number of academic awardees and honor graduates among UniFAST beneficiaries underscores the transformative impact of UAQTEA in promoting not only access but also academic excellence and equity across state, local, and private universities and colleges in the region.

Through this recognition, CHED-UniFAST CAR reaffirms its commitment to empowering student-grantees to achieve their fullest potential and continues to celebrate the success stories that demonstrate how accessible, quality higher education can uplift lives and strengthen communities.

Data Distribution Among Graduate Student-Grantees Based on Latin Honor