How PEAC vouchers work in Cebu private schools
PEAC is a DepEd program that helps parents pay for private school. Here is what it covers, who can use it, and how to apply — in plain English.
Te, kasagaran ng parents sa Cebu only hear about PEAC vouchers after they have already enrolled. Lisod gyud — by then, too late na. If you know about it early, you can save ₱17,000 to ₱22,000 every school year for each child. Real money, te.
Sige, here is the plain-English version of how it works.
What is PEAC, in one paragraph
PEAC stands for Private Education Assistance Committee. It is a small office that helps the Department of Education (DepEd) give money to private schools so they can charge less tuition. The money goes straight to the school. The parent never sees the cash. The tuition bill just becomes smaller.
Who can use it?
The voucher covers two age groups only:
- Junior High School — Grade 7 to Grade 10 (ages 12 to 16).
- Senior High School — Grade 11 and Grade 12 (ages 17 to 18).
It does not cover Kinder, Grade 1 to 6, or college. For college, look at the CHED Tertiary Education Subsidy and the school\'s own financial aid.
How much money?
Amounts change each year. For Senior High School in Cebu, the voucher is usually ₱17,500 to ₱22,500 per year. For Junior High, it is a bit smaller. The exact number depends on where you live (NCR gets the highest, then highly urbanised cities, then everywhere else).
The amount is taken off your tuition bill, not given as cash. If your school\'s SHS tuition is ₱65,000 and the voucher is ₱22,500, you pay ₱42,500 that year.
Who qualifies for the Grade 7 voucher?
Almost any Filipino student moving from a public elementary school to a private Junior High School can apply. This is called the ESC slot. You apply through the private school you want to attend — they handle the PEAC paperwork. The school must be ESC-accredited (most established Catholic schools in Cebu are).
Kids already studying in private elementary may still qualify, but slots are smaller. Ask the school registrar in October to November of the year before.
Who qualifies for the SHS voucher?
This is the more generous program. Almost every Grade 11 entrant qualifies for some level of voucher:
- Full voucher — for students coming from public junior high schools.
- Partial voucher (80% of the full amount) — for students coming from private junior high schools that already used the ESC.
The school you apply to handles the application. You do not visit PEAC yourself.
How to apply (3 steps)
- Pick your school early. Ask the registrar in October to December if they accept PEAC vouchers. Most private Catholic schools in Cebu do.
- Submit documents. The school will ask for your child\'s Form 137, birth certificate, and proof of your previous school (public or private). They will fill out the PEAC online form on your behalf.
- Wait for confirmation. PEAC checks the application. Once approved, the school will reduce your tuition bill for the year automatically.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until enrolment day. Some popular schools fill their voucher slots before May. Apply in October to December of the year before.
- Picking a school that is not PEAC-accredited. Not every private school joins the program. Always ask the registrar directly.
- Assuming it is a one-time thing. The voucher is renewed every year as long as your child stays enrolled. You do not re-apply manually.
Schools in Cebu that accept PEAC
Most Catholic and PAREF schools in Cebu accept PEAC vouchers — including Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu, USC Basic Education, USJ-R Basic Education, Don Bosco Technology Center, Cebu Eastern College, Colegio del Santo Niño, and the PAREF schools in Banilad and Mandaue. See the full list at /catholic-schools/, then ask each registrar to confirm their slot availability for the school year.
Where to read the official rules
Search "PEAC Memorandum Circular" on the DepEd or PEAC website (peac.org.ph). Each year gets a new circular with the exact amounts. Bookmark the latest one before your registrar visit.
Frequently asked
Who is PEAC?
PEAC stands for Private Education Assistance Committee. It is a non-profit group that runs the voucher program for the Department of Education (DepEd). PEAC checks which private schools can join, and it processes voucher applications each school year.
How much money does a PEAC voucher give?
The amount changes each year and depends on the city you live in and the level (Grade 7 to 10, or Grade 11 and 12). For Senior High School (Grade 11 and 12) in Cebu, the voucher is around ₱17,500 to ₱22,500 per school year. For Junior High School (Grade 7), it is usually less. The voucher is paid straight to the school.
Is PEAC the same as ESC?
Not exactly. ESC (Education Service Contracting) is the old name for the program that covers Junior High School (Grades 7 to 10). The SHS Voucher Program covers Senior High School (Grades 11 and 12). Both are run by PEAC for DepEd. Many people just say "PEAC voucher" for either one.
Can my child still get a PEAC voucher if they fail one subject?
Yes — failing a subject does not automatically remove a voucher. The school will keep your child on the program as long as they finish the year and stay enrolled. Some schools may put your child on academic probation, but the voucher stays.
Can I get PEAC for Kinder, Grade 1 to 6, or college?
No. The program only covers Junior High School (Grades 7 to 10) and Senior High School (Grades 11 and 12). For college, look at CHED scholarships and the school's own financial aid office.
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