Since its implementation in 2018, more than 5.4 million students have utilized the government’s free college education and financial aid programs, Senate President Win Gatchalian stated on Wednesday.
Data provided by Gatchalian shows that 5.476 million learners have been supported under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act through the present academic year. Out of this total, over four million students gained support via the Free Higher Education Program, while an additional 1.4 million accessed funding from the Tertiary Education Subsidy.
Legislate under Republic Act No. 10931, the law waives tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students attending state universities and colleges (SUCs), along with qualifying local universities and colleges.
Additionally, it established a financial aid scheme to assist qualified individuals enrolled in public or private higher education institutions.
Gatchalian highlighted that the proposed 2026 national budget incorporates extra allocations meant to upgrade SUC facilities and expand student intake capacities.
He previously noted that data from 62 of the nation’s 115 state universities and colleges revealed that 168,493 qualified applicants were turned away due to limited capacity.
During his tenure heading the Senate committee on finance, lawmakers authorized a ₱6.3 billion budget boost for SUCs, with his office championing ₱5.2 billion of that increase specifically to help institutions broaden enrollment capacity.
“Makakaasa po ang ating mga SUCs na patuloy natin silang susuportahan upang maabot pa natin ang mas maraming mag-aaral at makapaghatid tayo ng dekalidad na edukasyon,” the Senate leader assured.