Mapuá and other universities offer Study Now, Pay Later Program for Students through GCash

 

(L-R) GCash data solutions of new businesses head Oscar Pobre; iPeople Inc. dual transformation, strategy management, and business development vice president and head Mark Abalos; GCash vice president and group head of new businesses Winsley Bangit; Mapua Malayan Digital College vice president for marketing and sales Jenny Chua; iPeople Inc. president and chief operating officer Alfredo Ayala; Fuse Financing Inc. president and chief executive officer Tony Isidro, consumer lending head Paul Xavier Villa, and segment development manager Ana Cua

Higher educational institutions have teamed up with GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance superapp and largest cashless ecosystem, to launch a Study Now, Pay Later program. It is an installment-based tuition payment solution powered by Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, designed to help more Filipino students pursue and complete their college education by reducing the burden of upfront school fees. 

With its first partner school Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC), the pilot program began on July 7, 2025. MMDC, a digital-first college, offers flexible, high quality education for both full-time and working students, making it an ideal partner. 

The program has since expanded to include Mapúa University, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao, Malayan Colleges Laguna, and National Teachers College, all of which officially launched the initiative.

The tertiary education participation rate in the Philippines stands at 34.89 percent, falling short of the ASEAN regional average of 41.10 percent, according to a recent report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education. Many students who do enter college struggle to finish their degrees, with high dropout rates often tied to the rising cost of education. To support their studies, students choose to juggle school with work, with more than half of them hustling to gain financial freedom.

Tuition fees and other school expenses remain a heavy financial burden for many families, leading students to delay enrollment or settle for less-than-ideal school and program options. This is where GCash comes in, extending inclusive and fair lending products to those who need financial assistance to achieve their goal of graduating.

With the Study Now, Pay Later program, interested students or parents can pay for tuition fees and other school-related expenses in installments of up to 15 months, with no down payment or processing fees and with affordable interest rates. Customers who are not yet eligible for GGives may still apply and avail themselves of this program via the QR codes found within the vicinity of the respective partner schools.  Payments shall all be made through GGives, the installment payment feature of GCash, allowing students and parents to manage the costs conveniently and securely within the app’s ecosystem.

“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,” said Tony Isidro, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Fuse.

"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," iPeople Inc. president Alfredo Ayala added.

iPeople, a holding company under House of Investments Inc., 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. 

The initiative is part of a broader push by GCash to drive meaningful impact through financial solutions that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the real needs of Filipinos. By offering students and parents the flexibility to manage school-related costs, the Study Now, Pay Later program seeks to help expand young Filipinos’ access to higher education, pursue their dreams, and build a better future.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

Be in demand locally and abroad with a business-driven information technology degree

Choosing a college degree is daunting for many students, especially those planning to balance work and studies. For working students, the primary goal is a rewarding career that will improve their lives. The key here is to choose a program that’s aligned with the current and future demands of the job market.  

Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC), the premier digital-first college in the Philippines, recommends working students to consider getting an information technology (I.T.) degree that has a focus on business, so they can leverage tech tools and solutions to solve business problems of their future organizations, given that the intersection of I.T. and business continues to evolve and impact organizations worldwide. 

“For working students seeking a degree that directly translates to career advancement, a business-focused I.T. education is a smart investment,” says Noel Torregoza, the Instructional System Design Director at MMDC. “MMDC provides the flexible and relevant curriculum needed to excel and lead in the modern workplace as data and business analysts, marketing technologists, digital marketing strategists, and social media specialists—which are some of the most in-demand roles around the world.”

MMDC’s position on the skills needed in the current job market is reflected in The Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum citing AI or artificial intelligence and big data as the fastest-growing skills. It’s also aligned with the priorities of the recruitment experts in the Philippines including Anna Atienza, who has 15 years of experience in recruitment and talent attraction. This includes 12 years of specializing in I.T. recruitment. 

“Aside from I.T. companies, technology remains to be a key focus area in organizations like banking, financial services, BPO, telco, consulting, e-commerce, and medical who wish to grow and remain competitive in the market,” Atienza explains, highlighting the diverse career paths available to I.T. graduates. 

Atienza notes that employers also seek candidates who can combine valued tech skills like analytics and AI with soft skills for practical application and adaptation. “Those who are able to tell a great story based on data and how they used this data to make wise and strategic decisions to benefit businesses, transform ways of working, and change conventional processes leave a good impression,” Atienza illustrates. 

 

Digital marketer Claire Carrillo, a former working student, credits her I.T. degree with providing the technical and soft skills crucial for success in digital marketing. “I developed proficiency in various digital tools and platforms, which are essential for executing and managing online campaigns. Familiarity with these technologies allows for efficient content creation, distribution, and performance tracking,” Carrilo explains, adding that her I.T. education underlines continuous learning, which empowers her to stay on track with the rapid evolution of digital marketing trends and tools. “This adaptability is vital in a field where algorithms and platforms frequently change.” 

The former working student also affirms how her education enables her to embark on a career that opens up a world of professional growth and financial opportunities. “You’ll have the chance to collaborate with a diverse range of clients, each presenting unique challenges and learning experiences. This exposure not only broadens your expertise but also keeps your work engaging and dynamic,” Carrillo highlights. “For working students, I.T. education is especially advantageous as it aligns with the growing demand for digital transformation across industries.” 

Working students looking for online college courses in the Philippines to accelerate their careers should consider a digital-first college like Mapúa Malayan Digital College that offers accessible, flexible, and progressive I.T. programs. Professor-led synchronous classes are fully conducted online with morning, afternoon, and evening schedules, allowing them to balance studies, work, and personal life. MMDC students also have access to Mentors or industry professionals who can coach students on challenging topics and share feedback that can improve their outputs. 

Mapúa Malayan Digital College courses include a business-focused B.S. Informational Technology program with specialized business paths in Data Analytics, Marketing Technology, and Entrepreneurship Technology. MMDC also offers a development-focused B.S. Information Technology degree with specializations in Software Development and Cybersecurity. These tracks are all designed by professionals who have experiences in these specific industries, ensuring that the knowledge shared is applicable to real-world business settings. 

Apart from offering an accessible, flexible, and progressive business information technology degree through the Projects, Problems, and Cases (PPC) curriculum (This means no traditional exams ever!), MMDC further supports working students through its internships and employment opportunities with tech-driven employer partners and through various financial assistance programs. 

“MMDC understands the challenges faced by working students, so we have designed our curriculum in a way that empowers them to balance their studies and career advancement,” shares Torregoza.  

Find rewarding career opportunities by pursuing a business-powered information technology education from Mapúa Malayan Digital College. Inquire about their programs now, visit www.mmdc.mcl.edu.ph and follow the official MMDC pages on Facebook and Instagram.