- GCash partners with Philippine colleges to launch a flexible 'Study Now, Pay Later' tuition installment program.
- The program allows students to pay tuition fees in up to 15 months with no down payment and affordable interest rates.
- It aims to ease financial barriers and boost higher education access amid low college participation and high dropout rates.
In a significant move to make college education more accessible and affordable, GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance superapp and largest cashless ecosystem, has partnered with several higher educational institutions to launch the 'Study Now, Pay Later' program. This innovative tuition installment payment solution, powered by Fuse Financing Inc. GCash’s lending arm aims to ease the financial burden of upfront tuition fees and school expenses, helping more Filipino students pursue and complete their college education.
The pilot phase of the program commenced on July 7, 2025, with Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC) as the first partner school. Known for its digital-first approach and flexible learning options tailored for both full-time and working students, MMDC proved an ideal partner for this initiative. Since then, the program has expanded its reach to include Mapúa University, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao, Malayan Colleges Laguna, and National Teachers College, all of which have officially launched the installment payment program.
The program addresses a critical challenge faced by Filipino students today. According to a recent report from the Second Congressional Commission on Education, the tertiary education participation rate in the Philippines is only 34.89 percent significantly below the ASEAN regional average of 41.10 percent. Financial constraints remain a primary reason why many students either delay enrollment, settle for less ideal programs, or drop out altogether. To cope, over half of the student population balances their studies with part-time work to support themselves.
Tuition fees and other school-related expenses often weigh heavily on families, limiting opportunities for students to fully engage with their education. Recognizing this, GCash’s Study Now, Pay Later program offers an inclusive and fair lending alternative to students and their parents. It allows payment of tuition and school fees in manageable installments of up to 15 months, with no down payment or processing fees, and at affordable interest rates. This approach helps ease the financial strain and provides students the flexibility to focus on their studies rather than financial worries.
Those interested can access the program via QR codes available within the partner schools’ premises. Even customers who have not yet qualified for GGives the installment payment feature of GCash can apply for the Study Now, Pay Later option. All payments are made through GGives, enabling students and parents to conveniently and securely manage tuition installments within the GCash app ecosystem.
Tony Isidro, President and CEO of Fuse, emphasized the social impact of the program: “Far too many students in the Philippines are forced to put their dreams on hold, mainly because of financial limitations. With our Study Now, Pay Later program, we aim to ease that burden and help more students unlock the opportunity of a college education. This is another step toward our commitment to fair and inclusive lending, one that empowers the next generation”.
The partnership also reflects the commitment of the educational institutions involved. Alfredo Ayala, President of iPeople Inc. a holding company under House of Investments Inc. that operates several schools including Malayan Education System Inc., Malayan Colleges Laguna, Malayan Colleges Mindanao, Malayan High School of Science, National Teachers College, and University of Nueva Caceres shared, “We believe that no student should have to give up their education because of financial struggles. Through this partnership with GCash and Fuse, we’re providing our students with a practical and affordable way to continue their studies, reflecting our shared commitment to making quality education more accessible to every Filipino”.
The Study Now, Pay Later initiative aligns with GCash’s broader mission to deliver meaningful financial solutions that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the real needs of Filipinos. By offering flexible payment options, the program empowers students and families to better manage education expenses, expand access to higher learning, and pursue their dreams of building a better future.
As the Philippines continues to strive toward increasing tertiary education participation and reducing dropout rates, programs like these mark an important step in supporting the country’s youth through financial innovation and strategic partnerships between technology and education sectors.
