SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano has urged the Commission on Higher Education to reevaluate the Unified Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education and explore ways to enhance its effectiveness.

Cayetano questioned the current model of free at state universities, suggesting it may inadvertently disrupt enrollment patterns, overloading public colleges while reducing competition.

“Hindi ko ito kinikritiko, pero mas mainam na may sistema na maraming iskolar. Sinasabi ko lang na baka may mas magandang sistema para makipagsabayan ang ating SUCs sa pribadong sektor at maging mas masigla ang kanilang negosyo,” said Cayetano.

As an alternative, Cayetano encouraged CHED to find a strategic balance between free tuition, student loans, and grants-in-aid.

“Dahil halos wala tayong student loans, at ang scholarships ngayon ay nasa State Universities, nagtataka ako kung ilan sa mga magulang ang pinipilit ang mga anak na mag-State U imbes na sa pribado dahil libre sa State U,” he added.

The senator underscored the importance of a data-driven approach to scholarship reforms, stressing CHED’s role in creating a sustainable and effective system.

“Paano tayo magkakaroon ng no-balance billing sa kolehiyo pero hindi maaapektuhan ang market forces o ang ekonomiya ng pagpatakbo ng unibersidad?” Cayetano stressed.

“If we conduct a study this year, we could make recommendations before UniFAST’s 10th anniversary,” he said.