MANILA – The University of the Philippines is set to introduce reforms to its financial assistance program, a university official said on Monday.

Dr. Anthony Leachon, director of public affairs of UP Manila, said UP President Alfredo Pascual is set to unveil before noon today the reforms to the state university's Socialized Tuition-Financial Assistance Program (STFAP).

"Magkakaroon po ng press conference sa pangunguna ni UP President Alfredo Pascual at doon niya po ire-reveal iyung matagal na niyang plano na mabago itong STFAP o Socialized Tuition-Financial Assistance Program sa UP," Leachon told radio dzMM.

Leachon said the UP administration had been planning the reforms even before the death of Kristel Tejada, a 16-year-old first year Behavioral Sciences student who took her own life after failing to pay her tuition.

Tejada committed suicide inside her home in Tondo, Manila at around 3 a.m. Friday, two days after she filed for a leave of absence (LOA).

"Nagkataon na nung mamatay ang atin hong mahal na si Kristel, nagpa-meeting siya (Pascual) sa presidential advisory council noong March 14. Sinabi niya na walang estudyante ang made-deprive of education, kung ang reason lang ay 'di makakabayad ng tuition," he said.

"Sayang nangyari iyon," he added.

Leachon earlier said Tejada was already supposed to be put under a lower bracket of the STFAP but was not able to submit all the requirements on time.

The student was assigned to Bracket D, which meant she had to pay P300 per unit.