Education is a fundamental right, yet access to tertiary education remains a challenge for marginalized communities worldwide. To address this, the Philippine government launched the Expanded Students' Grant-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) in 2013, offering free college education to impoverished but academically inclined students. This qualitative case study explored the transformative effects of this program on selected graduate-grantees and their families. Findings reveal that economic hardship motivated participants to overcome challenges, supported by parents, friends, and strong faith. The program substantially improves their socio-economic conditions. It underscores how free tertiary education fosters social and economic empowerment for vulnerable populations.