Abstract

This study aimed to provide detailed information about the views, experiences, and recommendations of parents with children who were beneficiaries of Republic Act (RA) 10931 or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act for six months or more. The researchers used a qualitative approach, specifically, phenomenology, to determine the views, unravel the parents’ experiences, and identify suggestions/recommendations for improving the RA. The researchers applied purposive sampling to determine the seven parent participants interviewed via Google Meet or Messenger. Based on the gathered data, parents’ views on free college education reveal the following themes: benefits the Filipinos, lessens unemployment rates, and allows students to concentrate on their studies. On the one hand, the themes for parents’ experiences with free college education are the following: helps with financial problems, allows enjoyment of the benefits, and support one child only. The themes for the parents’ recommendations are improving scholarship opportunities, implementing proper screening, and providing better financial services for the students. The implication is to focus on those people who could expand or improve the said program to benefit more students who need to pursue their college education. Finally, the study demonstrates how social workers inform, guide, and assist parents throughout the helping process, from assessment to the evaluation phase. It shows social workers’ strategies and techniques to perform their roles to inform, guide, and assist parents in achieving fair treatment, understanding, and development in society.