No college student may be barred from taking exams in the future for failure to pay tuition on time.

And colleges and universities may risk facing administrative sanctions, too, by virtue of a proposed measure that has just hurdled the House of Representatives.

Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel argued: "Kadalasan, hindi naman sadya na hindi makapagbayad [ang mga estudyante] ng kanilang tuition na bunga lamang ng…kahirapang dala ng mababang sahod, kawalan ng regularisasyon at pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin…"

However, the measure also encourages college students enrolled in higher educational institutions be accountable for meeting academic and institutional standards, including prompt payment of financial obligations as established and determined by the HEI at the time of enrollment. Failure to comply will result in penalties and sanctions.

It also gives the school the right to refuse to enroll college students who have unsettled financial obligations in the following enrollment period until all prior delinquencies have been fully paid, as well as to withhold the issuance of the proper clearance and transfer credentials.