The hidden cost of ‘free’ tertiary education: The reality behind the opportunity

For many Filipino students, earning a place at a state university is a dream come true. It represents hope, opportunity, and the promise of a better future. Yet behind the privilege of free tuition lies a reality that is rarely discussed—the hidden cost of “free” education.

With government-funded tuition under Republic Act No. 10931, also known as the Access to Quality Education Act, many assume that students are free from the burdens associated with pursuing tertiary education. However, behind this opportunity lies a reality often overlooked.

As an Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering student at the Mariano Marcos State University, I have witnessed how the weight of the world on students’ shoulders has become part of their daily lives. There is pressure to perform well because many believe that receiving government-funded education is a privilege that must be repaid through exceptional academic achievement.

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The pressure extends beyond the four walls of a room. Despite studying in a government-funded institution, financial struggle remains a significant challenge. Scholarships and cash assistance programs exist, but they are often limited, delayed, or difficult to obtain. For students who rely on these forms of support, every postponed release means another week of budgeting meals, borrowing money, or sacrificing essential needs just to continue attending class.

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Some students work part-time to support themselves and cover their expenses. Others travel long distances every day to save on boarding costs. Many quietly skip meals or limit daily spending to afford other school requirements. These sacrifices do not appear on report cards, yet they are part of the reality behind every passing grade.

We remind ourselves that many students wished for the same slot we occupy. This mindset pushes us to study harder, but it also creates an environment where mistakes feel unacceptable and rest feels undeserved.

Students carry not only their dreams but also the expectations of their parents. Many are first-generation college students whose families see college degrees as the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. That hope becomes a source of motivation and an overwhelming responsibility.

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Government investment in state universities has opened doors to Filipino youth. However, free tuition is only one piece of educational accessibility. Students also need affordable transportation, sufficient laboratory resources, timely financial assistance, accessible counseling services, and academic environments that recognize the realities of our country’s economic hardship.

Students must also learn that success is not measured solely by perfect grades or constant productivity. Rest is not laziness, and asking for help is not failure. Resilience is not about enduring pressures without complaint; it is about finding healthy ways to persevere despite adversity.

The value of a state university education extends beyond the degree it awards. It teaches students perseverance, adaptability, resourcefulness, and empathy, often learned not inside the classrooms but through the challenges that come their way.

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Free education is one of the nation’s greatest investments, but it should never come at the cost of students’ well-being. The true success of state universities should not be measured only by enrollment numbers or graduation rates, but also by how they support students throughout their journey. After all, the goal of public education is not simply to help students survive college—it is to give them opportunity to thrive until they proudly walk across the stage and into the future they have worked so hard to build.

Andrey Kim G, Malabed, [email protected]

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