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Tag Archives: Philippine College Scholarships

Philippine College Scholarships: The Pinoy MD Scholarship

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A wise person once told me that “we esteem lightly what we obtain easily.” In other words, people tend to place greater value on things they work hard for. This holds true for any worthwhile endeavor—even a degree in medicine.

Even when you work hard, you sometimes need to let others help you bear your burden. The training field of medicine contains numerous stories of potential doctors who never actually paid for their tuition—they received financial aid from the government, instead.

If the idea of getting a state grant for a chance to play doctor sounds interesting to you, then read on.

Financing Future Physicians

1. Background: The Philippine Medical Scholarship Program (also known as the Pinoy MD Scholarship) is basically a joint project of the Philippine government’s Department of Health and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Its main objective is to train quality doctors for employment, private practice and community service.

2. Number of Slots: This scholarship grant will go to one hundred fortunate students (spread out across twelve schools) every year.

3. Deadlines: Please refer to number 4 for more details.

4. Application Process: The Pinoy MD system is a little different from other kinds of scholarships. Instead of having only a single application process to follow, you have several processes to choose from depending on the requirements of the Pinoy MD participating school in question. There are currently twelve of them in existence, and all of whom have their respective deadlines and different ways of doing things.

While the requirements across schools have certain things in common (E.g., birth certificates, diplomas, ID pictures and the like), the best way to get the specifics would be to pick a school, contact them and find out exactly what they need from you. Please refer to the table below for each school’s contact details, or feel free to get in touch with the Department of Health and request for more information on each school.

5. Qualifications: The Pinoy MD scholarship has certain general minimum qualifications you need to meet, regardless of which particular school you’re eyeing:

• You need to have taken the NMAT (National Medical Admissions Test), and you must have earned a percentile score of at least 40 on the exam. Please note that the minimum required NMAT score varies across member schools.
• You must have at least a couple of character references.
• You must be mentally and physically fit for the rigors of medical school.

The following aren’t really strict qualifications, but they’re worth noting if you want your application to receive priority attention:

• Your family’s combined gross income must be no more than 50,000 pesos a month or 600,000 pesos a year.
• You are a Barangay Health Worker, government employee or a member of an indigenous tribe of people. If none of these apply to you, then you must at least be a son or daughter of anyone who fits the aforementioned descriptions.

Scholar Privileges and Obligations

Simply put, the Pinoy MD Scholarship will pay for all your study-related expenses. These include allowances on books, uniforms, daily transportation, and lodging. It will also cover such fees as your tuition, laboratory expenses and others.

Besides passing all your classes and exhibiting good behavior, the scholarship really only has one main obligation for its applicants: they need to give back to the government and to the community by serving for two years for every year that they spend studying (The scholarship is good for five years.).

Applicants may do so by entering either the Medical Pool and Placement Program or the Doctors to the Barrios Program. For more details on these, please contact the DOH (kindly see below).

Contact Details

Depending on the nature of your questions, there are several ways of having them answered. For instance, if you haven’t taken the NMAT yet and you need more details on it, please contact the Center for Educational Measurement (CEM) Secretariat at (02) 813-3686 or (02) 813-3691 to 95 loc. 106.

If you need information of a more general nature (E.g. scheduling and what not), it would be best to contact the DOH’s Health Human Resource Development Bureau directly. Simply call either (02) 743-1776 or (02) 743-8301 loc. 4226 or 4203 and ask for Ms. Menchu Eguia or Mr. Kenneth Salumbides.

They may also be reached via e-mail at hhrdb_doh@yahoo.com. If you’d rather visit the facility in person, however, it’s located at the second floor, Building 12-A, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound, Santa. Cruz, Manila

Questions of a more specific nature need to be directed toward the specific, participating Pinoy MD Scholarship school. Please refer to the table below for a listing of the member schools and their respective contact details.

School Location Number E-mail Contact Person

Cagayan State University College of Medicine and Surgery
Tuguegarao City
(078) 844-0105
rodinamd@yahoo.com
Dr. Rodina R. Gorospe

DAVAO MEDICAL SCHOOL FOUNDATION College of Medicine
Davao City
(082) 222-5712
petronilobasa@dmsf.edu.ph
Dean Petronilo Basa, MD.

EMILIO AGUINALDO EDUCATIONAL CORP. College of Medicine
Ermita, Manila
(02) 521-2710 loc.5521
mayetlapuz@yahoo.com
Dr. Esteban Pineda

ILOILO DOCTORS College of Medicine
Molo, Iloilo
(033) 337-7755, (033) 336-9550
idcmed_registrar@yahoo.com
Chona Elmido

MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY College of Medicine
Iligay City
(063) 221-3835
medicine@sulat.msuiit.edu.ph
Dr. Christina Achacoso or Joan Reserva

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY Fatima Medical Science Foundation College of Medicine
Valenzuela City
(02) 291-6556, (02) 293-2704/06 loc.114
admissions@fatima.edu.ph
Dean Reynaldo Olazo, MD

PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG MAYNILA (University of the City of Manila) College of Medicine
Intramuros, Manila
(02) 527-9067
dean_plmcm@yahoo.com or cues_director@yahoo.com
Dr. Eleanor J. Galvez

SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Matias H. Aznar Memorial College of Medicine
Cebu City
(032) 255-6469
myml713@yahoo.com
Dr. Yvonne Lanuza

UNIVERSITY OF ST. LA SALLE College of Medicine
Bacolod City
(034) 433-3151
dyvonne2003@yahoo.com
Ms. Yvonne Cortes

UP MANILA College of Medicine
Pedro Gil St., Manila
(02) 526-4170
upcmdean@yahoo.com
Dean Alberto Roxas, MD.

UP MANILA SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES Department of Medicine
Palo, Leyte
(053) 323-3114
roc_janrey@yahoo.com.ph
Dr. Romeo Ceniza

WEST VISAYAS STATE UNIVERSITY College of Medicine
Iloilo City
(033) 320-0881
wvsu_comedicine@yahoo.com
Dean Emiliana Carmona, MD

Additional Source:
Mr. Kenneth Salumbides of the Department of Health

Philippine College Scholarships: CHED-SSP

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A wise person once told me that everything has its price, even if that price isn’t always shouldered by the person who‘s after the coveted thing.  Sometimes, the price involves money; other times, it involves working hard enough to become part of the cream of the crop, and enjoying all the privileges and benefits associated with that.

You are currently reading the fourth and final part of our CHED Financial Assistance series.  We conclude this mini-series with a closer look at CHED’s very own State Scholarship Program, otherwise known as the SSP.

Scholarship Details

1.  Background:  Like its fellow CHED grants, the SSP is a direct result of a republic act (also referred to as the State Scholarship Law or RA 4090) and a CHED Order (number 3).  Basically, it targets the top performers of a high school’s graduating class.  While it has many factors in common with the PESFA and SSGD, it only targets one specific year level.

2.  Qualifications:  All incoming college freshmen are eligible for the SSP so long as they meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be ranked among the top ten students of their senior year high school class.
  • They must not already be recipients of any other grant or scholarship.
  • The gross annual income of their legal guardians or parents must be no higher than 120,000 pesos.
  • They must be enrolled in a CHED priority course (or at least they must plan to enroll in one) at CHED-selected public higher education institutions.  Please refer to this PDF file for a listing of such colleges.
  • They should be no older than twenty-five at the time of their loan application.

3.  Necessary Documents:  CHED will require the following paperwork from all applicants:

  • Written certification from the students’ high school principal attesting to their ranking in their senior year high school class
  • Written certification of the applicants’ good moral character, also accomplished by their high school principal
  • Written certification of the students’ good health, as attested to by a government doctor
  • The latest income tax return of their parents or legal guardians
  • 2 x 2 ID photos

4.  Application Process:  The general application process hasn’t changed for the SSP.  The first thing to do is to get an application form from either the CHED regional office (CHEDRO) nearest you or the office of your high school principal.  Fill the said form up completely, gather all the documents you need (as detailed above), submit everything to the CHEDRO and await the results.

Privileges and Contact Details

The SSP will help subsidize the scholars’ expenses in at least three ways:  tuition, book allowance (250 pesos) and a stipend (2,500 pesos).  Unfortunately, the SSP doesn’t cover school fees and miscellaneous fees.

If you have any questions about the SSP, feel free to e-mail CHED at info@ched.gov.ph.  If you have trouble contacting them that way, you may try calling them at (+632) 441-0750 or (+632) 441-1030.  Inquires about CHED regional offices go to Miss MJ of the Office of Student Services at (+632) 385-4388 or (+632) 441-1220.

Philippine College Scholarships: CHED-SSGD

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Practically all scholarships out there are classified according to a dominant theme—be it specific courses, specific foundations or even specific grantee types.  There are grants out there, however, that are based on the area where the target recipient is based.

Welcome to part two of our CHED scholarship grant mini-series.  This time, we’ll be shining the spotlight on the Special Study Grant Program for Congressional Districts, otherwise known as the SSGD.

Scholarship Details

1. Background:  With several legal resolutions and orders as its bases, the CHED-SSGD specifically targets students from the Philippines’ 240 congressional districts.  Nevertheless, its basic thrust is the same as that of its contemporaries:  to provide financial assistance to underprivileged yet deserving students.

There is one important difference between the SSGD and the grant I discussed in the previous article, the PESFA:  scholars availing of the latter program are restricted to specific priority courses, while successful applicants of the former may enjoy its privileges with respect to any degree course.  Nevertheless, scholars can only apply for either program at CHED accredited Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

2. Qualifications:  Students are eligible for the SSGD if they meet the following criteria:

  • Applicants must be college students belonging to any year level.
  • They must be Filipino citizens.
  • They should be no older than thirty years of age at the time of their application.
  • They must not be recipients of any other form of scholarship grant at the time of their application.
  • The gross annual income of their parents or legal guardians cannot exceed 120,000 pesos.

3. Documents:  The SSGD’s necessary documents are generally similar to that of the PESFA’s, with some minor differences:

  • for freshmen only:  Form 138, aka your high school report card
  • for non-freshmen only:  a rating or report of your attendance during the previous semester
  • Your parents’ or legal guardians’ latest BIR income tax return
  • Your birth certificate
  • A certificate of good moral character
  • A certificate of medical fitness
  • A certificate of non-enjoyment of any type of scholarship grant
  • 2 x 2 ID photos for your application form.

4. Application Process:  To apply for the SSGD, just obtain a copy of the application form from the Office of the Representative of your Congressional District.  Fill up the form completely and submit it along with the other necessary documents to the CHED regional office nearest you.  After that, it’s simply a matter of waiting for that very same CHED office to notify you of your application results.

Scholar Privileges and Contact Details

As is the case with the PESFA scholarship program, the SSGD offers partial subsidization of tuition fees and other school-related fee of up to 1,000 pesos.  Unlike the PESFA, there appears to be no book stipend this time around.  Scholars, however, will receive a living allowance worth 1,500 pesos.

Currently, CHED only has its e-mail address posted on its official website, so if you’d like to clarify anything with them, feel free to send your queries to info@ched.gov.ph.

Philippine College Scholarships: CHED-PESFA

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A few articles back, I discussed a couple of government-sponsored scholarship grants offered by the Department of Science and Technology.  Thing is, the DOST isn’t the only government unit that provides financial assistance to financially challenged, yet deserving students.

This article will be the first entry in a multi-part series on the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED’s) scholarship grants.  The first grant on our plate will be the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program (henceforth known as PESFA).

Scholarship Details

1. Background:  Republic Act 6728 and CHED Order Number 03 both helped establish the PESFA, a grant specifically directed at teachers and students in the private education sector.

For a listing of all accredited schools, please go here.  Kindly note that the list was last updated on October-November 2009.

2. Qualifications:  Incoming college freshmen are eligible for the PESFA if they meet the following requirements:

  • They are bona fide Filipino citizens.
  • They are no older than thirty years old at the time of their application.
  • The gross annual income of their guardians or parents does not exceed 120,000 pesos.
  • They are already enrolled in (or they’re at least intending to enroll in) any of the CHED priority courses at a CHED-accredited college.

3. Documents:  Applicants only need to present four simple documents:

    1. Form 138 (otherwise known as their high school report card)
    2. the latest BIR Income Tax Return form of their parents or guardians
    3. written certification of their good moral character as accomplished by their high school principal
    4. at least one recent 2 x 2 ID photo for the application form.

4. Application Process:  Applying for a slot in the PESFA program is also simple.  The first order of business is to check if your college is an accredited Higher Education Institution (HEI) authorized to administer the PESFA.  Please refer to this list or check with CHED (Kindly see below for the institution’s e-mail address).

Assuming it is, kindly secure an application form for the said program.  There are several ways of going about this.  For one thing, you may obtain a form from the Registrar’s Office of your accredited college.  You may also secure a copy of the said form from the CHED regional office nearest you.  Another alternative is to download the form from the CHED official website.

Regardless of how you get it, though, simply accomplish the form in full and submit it along with all the other necessary documents back to either the same Registrar’s Office which gave you the form or the accredited college of your choice.

Scholar Privileges and Contact Details

The PESFA provides a three-pronged system of benefits for chosen scholars.  First of all, the grant provides for a partial subsidization of tuition and other school-related fees of up to 4,500 pesos.  Second, scholars will also enjoy a 250-peso book allowance.  Finally, they will receive a stipend worth 2,500 pesos.

If you have any questions about the PESFA or any of CHED’s other scholarship grants, drop them a line at info@ched.gov.ph.

Philippine College Scholarships: Dean Julieta D. Tadle Memorial Scholarship

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Learning institutions are very much willing to grant financial assistance to students provided the latter fulfill certain conditions.  Besides the usual minimum maintaining average requirement, some scholarships also require that the scholar pursue specific courses during their academic tenure.

Central Escolar University (CEU) has one such scholarship for students who wish to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to everyone:    It’s called the Dean Julieta D. Tadle Memorial Scholarship (henceforth referred to as DJDTMS).  Let’s take a look at the finer details of its system.

The Details in Summary

1. Background:  Currently, DJDTMS is only reserved for a student enrolled in BS Nutrition and Dietetics courses.  I said “a student” because of point number two…

2. Number of Slots:  CEU only offers a single slot for a single student for that student’s entire tenure at the University, making it a highly coveted slot, indeed.  That slot is presently occupied and will be subject to review once that scholar graduates.

3. Application Process:  Simply file your college application at the Application and Placement Department of the office of the Dean of Colleges slash Programs Promotion.  Submit all the required paperwork as listed below.  The process is really no different from applying at CEU normally.

4. Deadlines and testing info/dates:  The deadliest deadlines for submitting all paperwork is the last week of May.  The actual dates for testing tend to vary, but they normally fall on the months of March to May.

5. Required Documents:  With respect to paperwork, the potential scholar needs to present a valid edition of Form 138 and proof of his or her need for financial assistance.  Evidence of the latter will come in the form of the parents’ Income Tax return and/or written certification from the applicant’s barangay captain.

Two forms of written certification are also needed.  The first form must vouch for the applicant’s good moral character; the second one must elaborate on the applicant’s ranking vis-à-vis other graduating students in his or her batch (and must also be signed by the principal of the student’s high school).

6.  Non-tangible requirements:  To be considered eligible for the DJDTMS, applicants must be Filipino citizens.  They must also possess good health and good moral standing.  Finally, they must not be availing of any other forms of financial aid from CEU at the time of their application.  The screening committee will also scrutinize the applicant’s level of participation in extra-curricular activities.

Please note that the applicant’s case will still be subjected to a three-step process of screening and approval by a committee, the CEU Dean and the descendants of Dean Tadle.

Privileges and Obligations

Recipients of this scholarship will relish the reality of having their tuition and other miscellaneous fees waived.  They’ll also receive a book allowance of one thousand pesos per semester, plus a five hundred peso monthly stipend to boot.  To top all of those off, they’ll be awarded an additional three thousand pesos upon graduation, plus an extra two thousand if they manage to graduate with honors.

Lest you think that this is a free lunch, know that CEU will expect them to maintain a minimum weighted average of 2.0 and a minimum of 2.25 on all individual grades.

Personal Contact or Otherwise

Word has it that CEU is working on updating the scholarship details and requirements by next year, so feel free to get in touch with them to check for updates.  Call them at 735-6877 and look for the Project Coordinator, Ms. Lucia D. Gonzales.  You may e-mail her at ldgonzales@ceu.edu.ph.

Alternatively, you may also get in touch with Mr. Roland Ordanez of the Office of Nutrition and Hospitality Management at 7363129.

If you’d rather talk to them in person, dropping by the school is fine, too.  The CEU campus is located at Number 9 Mendiola Street, Manila.

Philippine College Scholarships: Dominic Savio Scholarship

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Someone said that the true measure of greatness lies in helping people who can’t do good to you or pay you back.  It seems that this same principle of service acts as the very basis for philanthropic organizations such as the Dominic Savio Scholarship Foundation.

Potential Bosconians will be pleased to know that a scholarship of the same name exists to help provide financial assistance to them.  Let’s take a closer look at it.

The Nitty-Gritty

1.  Background:  The Don Bosco Salesians are offering this scholarship to deserving yet financially challenged students.  The main point of the scholarship is to help imbue the same spirit of service, responsibility and excellence that motivates the order.

2.  Number of Slots:  The number of available slots tends to vary depending on the amount of funding available.

3.  Application Process:  All the applicant needs to do is to fill up and submit his or her application form to the Office for External Relations, along with the other required documents.  After that,  one needs to wait for and take the three-pronged screening procedure—a combination of an entrance test, panel interview and ocular home visitation.

4.  Deadlines:  The scholarship application process starts around the second or third week of January, with the deadliest deadline falling around the second or third week of March.

5.  Testing Dates:  The actual dates of the entrance exam vary.  According to the scholarship coordinator, the test is usually scheduled a couple of weeks after the applicant sends in all the required documents.  It all depends on how quickly the student can submit the needed paperwork, as well as on the number of vacancies available.

6. Requirements/Documents:  The scholarship has a stringent set of requirements, starting with the status of the applicant.  He or she must be a Filipino citizen possessing good moral character; physical and mental fitness and a minimum general weighted average of 85% without any failing grades.  The applicant also needs to be a member of a low income family.

Aside from the application form, the required documents are as follows:

a.)    A couple of recent, colored 2×2 mug shots, the latest copy of one’s grades (one’s transcript of records) with no failing marks;

b.)    The parents’ or guardians’ most recent BIR Certification or Income Tax Return

c.)    A recommendation from the applicant’s parish priest

d.)   Written certification of Good Moral Character from the dean or principal of the applicant’s previous school.

Give and Take

Applicants who make the cut will have their tuition and other school fees waived for the duration of their chosen course.  They’ll also receive other kinds of support in the form of school supplies, textbooks, uniforms, meals and—if need be—lodging.
On the other hand, scholars must assume the full academic load of their chosen course every semester and pass each and every required subject.  They are also required to participate actively in the Don Bosco Scholars’ Association.
3…2…1…Contact!

Applicants have several options as far as inquiries go:  they may get in touch with the Office for External Relations or the Office of the Scholarship Director.  Simply call the trunk line at (632) 531-8081 and ask to be connected to either office, or fax the offices at (632) 531-6644.

The latter office may also be reached at (632) 532-5937, which is a telefax number.  Just ask for Mrs. Maria Nova Averilla-Mapa, the scholarship coordinator.

Should applicants prefer to e-mail the Don Bosco staff, they may do so at dbtc@donbosco.net.  The Office of the Scholarship Coordinator may be reached at domingo.ria@dbtc.edu.ph.  Students may also send them a question via their website:  http://www.dbtc.edu.ph

Finally, dropping by in person may is another good alternative.  Both offices are located within the Don Bosco Technical College compound along #736 General Kalentong Street, Barangay Pag-asa, Mandaluyong City.

Philippine College Scholarships: ADMU Academic Science Scholarship

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Every semester, Ateneo students face the blues of long lines and pursuing the classes and the professors of choice.  Fortunately, numerous blessings abound for those who set their sights on the principle of abundance.  Some of these blessings fall under the category of financial aid.

While the Ateneo offers several kinds of scholarships, I’ll be focusing on one specific scholarship that science geeks may wish to take advantage of:  the ADMU Academic Science Scholarship.

The Details in a Nutshell

1.  Background:  The gracious staff at the Office of Admission and Aid told me that it is properly referred to as “academic scholarship instead of “academic science scholarship.”  Regardless of how you choose to call it, however, it’s still open to graduates of both Jesuit-run institutions and science high schools.

2.  Number of Slots:  This is a highly variable number, as the slot count largely depends on the amount of funds available.  The best way to find out would be to check with the Office of Admission and Aid (please see below.)

3.  Application Process:  Applying for the scholarship is as simple as applying for a slot in the Ateneo college.  Simply ask for an application form, pay the fee, complete the form and send it in with all the other documents they need.  The only real difference is that you’ll need to present additional documents (please see below.)

4.  Deadlines:  The application process starts in June, so potential scholars need to have all their requirements in by the second week of August.

5.  Testing Dates:  Don’t worry, there’s no special test for potential scholars.  All you have to do is to take the ACET as usual.  It usually falls around the middle of August or September.

6. Requirements/Documents:  Applicants will need to present the following:  the completed application form and exam permit, written certification from their high school principal vouching for their academic standing and five hundred pesos for the fee.  After that, register for the ACET and take it.  The school will also ask you to sign a contract.

There exists an additional requirement for applicants from science high schools:  they must remain true to their calling by pursuing a course subsumed under the School of Science and Engineering.  Once a scientist, always a scientist.

Benefits and Responsibilities

Applicants can enjoy total or partial financial assistance depending on their academic title or rank and the amount of funds available to the sponsor.  Specifically, valedictorians get one hundred percent of their tuition and other fees waived, while salutatorians get a fifty percent discount on everything.

It’s not a free lunch, however.  Scholars need to earn a minimum Quality Point Index of 2.5 for their first academic year and a minimum of 2.75 for their subsequent years.  There should be no eyesores like failing grades (F), borderline passing grades (D) or withdrawals without permission.

Personal Contact

If there’s anything you need to clarify, getting in touch with the Ateneo staff via phone really helps.  Feel free to call them at the 426-6001 trunk line, and then follow the instructions of the recorded voice or press zero to talk to the operator and ask to be connected to the Loyola Schools Office of Admission and Aid.

It doesn’t hurt to drop by the Ateneo campus, either.  The admissions office may be found along Kostka Hall, College of Arts and Sciences, Ateneo campus, along Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City.

Philippine College Scholarships: AMA Foundation Subsidized Tuition Fee Program

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Most (if not all) scholarship grants possess similar objectives—to promote the intellectual development of financially challenged yet deserving students and, by extension, the good of the community as well. Nevertheless, each grant has a different way of going about it.

For instance, some grants are more of the “general overview type,” while others narrow their focus down to specific fields. In the AMA Foundation’s case, that would be the field of information technology. If you’re an AMA student set on majoring in this area, then read on.

Scholarship Details

1. Background: Basically, the AMA Foundation has come up with a subsidized tuition fee program (henceforth referred to as STFP) of shaving a significant amount off of IT students’ tuition fees.

It consists of two main components: one, an all-encompassing subsidized education system regardless of the students’ economic status; two, a 50% subsidy on tuition and total fees based on students’ ability (or inability) to pay and their individual needs.

2. Number of slots: So far, AMA foundation can support up to 1,000 students with the STFP.

3. Qualifications: The STFP is somewhat unique as far as financial aid systems go. Unlike other grants which require applicants to have a certain minimum weighted average at the start, AMA’s program has no such grade requirement.

Secondly, AMA has no separate exam for STFP applicants, either. The standard AMA entrance test is the only exam for STFP hopefuls to take.

In a nutshell, the foundation requires the following from potential scholars:

• They must be either incoming freshmen or new transferees.
• They must have no record of having been subjected to disciplinary action.
• They must not already be recipients of scholarships from other sources.
• The applicants must not have any other member in their family receiving financial aid from the AMA Foundation.
• They need to pass the entrance exam of any AMA school and be accepted into that school first.
• They need to major in IT, Computer Engineering or Computer Science.
• They should be Filipino citizens.
• The applicants’ combined annual family income must be no higher than 200,000 pesos.
• If asked to, applicants must provide information relevant to their financial needs.

The foundation will select scholars based on their parents’ work, family income, family size and other factors.

4. Deadlines/Important Dates: the STFP application period commences before the beginning of every school term or trimester every year. The application deadlines depend on the actual term in question.

The first term covers the months of May to August, so the cut-off date is May 1. The second term involves the months of September to December, so the deadliest deadline is September 1. Finally, students must turn in their application for the third term on or before the first day of January, as the third trimester encompasses the months of January to April.

In the even that students miss the deadline, their application will then be considered and processed for the next trimester.

5. Documents/Paperwork: The documentation differs depending on whether the students are applying for the first time or renewing their applications. First time applicants need to turn in the following paperwork:

• An Income Tax Return photocopy (covering the last three years) together with all its relevant attachments
• The original Application for Financial Aid form, fully accomplished
• Certificate of Employment of the parents (original copy) obtained from their current employer. It must indicate their length of service and the last compensation they received during their employment period.
• 2 x 2 sized colored ID pictures of the applicants and separate ones for their parents or legal guardians. All photos should have the printed names and signatures of the person (s) in the photo.
• Payment of a non-refundable, 500-peso, subsidy processing fee.

On the other hand, STFP-renewing students need to submit these:

• photocopies of the applicants’ certificate of registration and birth certificate
• Photocopy of transcript of records (transferees only)
• Photocopy of high school report card (freshmen only)
• Income Tax Return (only for the current year) or BIR certification of tax-filing exemption.
• Barangay Certification with the applicants’ character record and address
• Affidavit of support from the applicants’ legal guardian (for those with incapacitated or deceased parents)
• Payment of the non-refundable, 250-peso, renewal administrative fee

6. Application Process: The trickier part of the application process involves passing the AMA school’s entrance exam and gaining acceptance into the school. After that, all that’s left is to obtain an application form from the school’s office of student affairs, fill it up completely, and then submit it with all the other needed documents to the same office. The selection committee will do the rest and inform the students if they’ve been chosen.

Privileges and Obligations

If chosen, the foundation will pay for fifty percent of the applicants’ tuition fees and other related school fees.

Besides requiring the students to pass all their subjects, the AMA Foundation may also ask STFP scholars to either do volunteer work or to work as a paid foundation/school employee. This may take place anytime during the second term of the applicants.

Contact Details

Got questions about any aspect of the STFP? Feel free to direct your queries toward the foundation folks—namely Mr. Angel Montes, Jr., as he is the project coordinator. You may call him at (632) 372-6524 or send him a fax at (632) 373-4666. Likewise, e-mail goes to ACMontesjr@amaes.edu.ph or ama_foundation@hotmail.com.

Alternatively, you may pay the AMA foundation a visit at Number 59 AMA Building 2, Panay Avenue, Quezon City.

Philippine College Scholarships: DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship

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There are people and institutions out there that see a need and strive to meet it as best they can. One thing philanthropists do is to help train people with the potential for meeting that same need in the near future.

Not to be outdone by universities and private benefactors, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), together with the Science Education Institute (SEI) have come up with several ways of assisting deserving, financially challenged students. We’ll be focusing on one of them in this article: the DOST-SEI Merit Scholarship (henceforth referred to as DOST-SEI MS).

Scholarship Details

1. Background: Formerly known as Project 5801, the DOST-SEI MS is the department’s regular scholarship program aimed at helping college freshmen enter into and complete specific baccalaureate degree programs of choice.

2. Qualifications: The criteria are as follows:

• Applicants must not have applied for an immigrant or resident status in any foreign country.
• They must not have previously taken any DOST-SEI Scholarship test prior to application.
• They should not have earned any units in any college course yet.
• They must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines.
• They should have good health and good moral character.
• They need to be a part of the upper 5% of their high school graduating class.
• They need to major in any of the relevant scholarship courses (Please go to this webpage for a list of DOST-SEI MS courses and the respective universities that offer them.).

3. Required Paperwork: The DOST will need the following documents:

• A birth certificate photocopy
• Form A – DOST-SEI Information Sheet
• Form C – health certificate accomplished by a licensed doctor
• Form D – Certificate of good moral character written by the applicants’ principal or guidance counselor
• Form E – written certification from the applicants’ high school principal indicating the following:
o The complete number of graduation candidates
o The applicants’ status of being in the top 5% of their graduating classes

• 2 ID pictures of 1 x 1 size, photographed no longer than a month before the application. One of the photos needs to be attached to the test permit, the other to the DOST-SEI Information Sheet.
• Form F – a statement from the applicants indicating that they’ve not taken any college courses yet
• Form G – statement from the applicants’ parent (s) indicating that the applicant has not applied as a resident or immigrant in any foreign country.
• Payment of the non-refundable 200 peso test fee

4. Application Process: The first thing to do is to obtain the application form at the Science Education Institute (Please see the address below.), any Provincial Science and Technology Center or any regional DOST office. Applicants must then fill it up completely and turn it in together with the other necessary documents to the office from whence it came.

They must also take and pass the science and technology aptitude test administered to them. Their performance on this test will serve as one of the major factors in the selection of the final list of scholars.

Scholar Privileges

Winning scholars will enjoy a host of subsidies and stipends. For one thing, the DOST will pay up to 4,500 pesos of the scholars’ tuition and school fees per semester or term Students will also receive a textbook/school supply allowance of 3,000 pesos per academic year and a one-time (for the first semester of the first year only), 500-peso grant for P.E./ROTC uniform. .

Group accident and health insurance is also on the list, coupled with a monthly living allowance for one academic year. The latter will depend on the nature of the students’ scholarship (special, partial or full).

This is how it works: special, partial and full scholarships yield 1825, 2150 and 4000-peso living allowances, respectively. Please note that these amounts only apply to those majoring in Physics-related courses. Students majoring in other courses will receive 1200 (special), 1400 (partial) and 3,000-peso (full) allowances instead.

These subsidies also apply to periods involving required summer classes, though in modified amounts. Specifically, the DOST will subsidize tuition and school fees up to 1,500 pesos, plus textbook and school supplies up to 500 pesos. Scholars will get monthly living allowances for the summer school period, too.

Finally, students attending college outside of their home province will enjoy a free, economy-class round trip for one between their home and their college. This will be made available on reimbursement basis.

Scholar Obligations

Obligations are pretty straightforward: in return for financial assistance, scholars must abide by the terms of the contract they enter into with the DOST-SEI. Basically, they need to maintain the minimum scholarship grade required.

The most important obligation comes after graduation: the students will be asked to serve the country (most preferably in their home region) in a manner relevant to their field of study. This is a full time vocation that will last at least as long as their time spent as DOST-SEI scholars.

Contact Details

If you have any questions about the subject matter, it would be best to direct them toward the DOST-SEI folks themselves. They may be reached at (632) 837-1359 or (632) 839-0241. Facsimiles go to (632) 837-1924.

If you’d rather visit the Science Education Institute in person, feel free to drop by its office at the third floor of the PTRI building, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City.

Philippine College Scholarships: Science and Technology Scholarship (STS)

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In another article, I discussed the Department of Science and Technology’s efforts to provide financial assistance to students via the Merit Scholarship. Thing is, the aforementioned scholarship isn’t the only grant available to would-be scientists.

Enter the Science and Technology Scholarship (henceforth referred to as STS). Like its counterpart, the purpose of the STS is to provide financial support for the scientists of tomorrow—though its focus is slightly different, as we shall see shortly.

Scholarship Details

1. Background: Republic Act 7687 (aka the Science and Technology Scholarship Act of 1994) established the grant of the same name. Unlike its counterpart, the Merit Scholarship, the STS is skewed more toward engineering and technology-related science courses.

2. Qualifications: The STS targets financially challenged students; so applicants’ socio-economic status must be within the parameters established by the Scholarship Advisory Committee. They must also pass the Science and Technology Scholarship exam.

Furthermore, potential scholars need to be residents of their respective municipalities for the past four years. They also need to be in the top 5% of their high school’s graduating class, or a member of the graduating class of a science high school recognized by either the Department of Education or the Department of Science and Technology.

Last, but not least, applicants should be natural-born citizens of the Philippines possessing good health and good moral character.

On the flip side, candidates who have already taken college courses and earned units, or have taken the DOST-SEI Scholarship exam need not apply. Applicants who have applied for an immigrant or resident status abroad are also disqualified.

3. Necessary Documents: The required paperwork for the STS is a near mirror image of the Merit Scholarship’s list, with some minor adjustments here and there:

• A photocopy of your birth certificate
• A couple of ID pictures taken no later than a month prior to application, one of which goes to the test permit, the other to the DOST-SEI Information Sheet.
• Form A – the DOST-SEI Information Sheet
• Form B – Household Profile
• Form C – Health Certificate accomplished by a licensed doctor
• Form D – Certification of Applicants’ Good Moral Character as vouched for by the applicants’ principal or guidance counselor
• Forms E-1 or E-2 – Applicants’ high school principal’s statement with respect to the following:

o The total number of graduation candidates
o The applicants’ status as members of upper 5% of their secondary school’s graduating class OR
o The applicants’ status as members of the upper 5% of the graduating class of any science high school duly recognized by the DepEd or the DOST-SEI.

• Form F – Applicants’ written statement indicating that they’ve not previously taken any college courses or units
• Form G – Applicants’ parents’ statement indicating that applicants have not applied for resident or immigrant status in any foreign land
• Form H – Certification of Residency accomplished by applicants’ barangay captain

4. Application Process: While the STS may cater to intellectuals, the application process involved is actually a no-brainer.

Simply obtain application forms at the Science Education Institute (Kindly check the address below.), Provincial Science and Technology Centers, DOST Regional Offices or Offices of the Congressmen. Fill these up completely, and submit them along with all the other required documents to any of the above offices (with the exception of the Offices of the Congressmen).

The next step involves the DOST aptitude test. The better you do on it, the greater your chances of being included in the final list of scholars.

Scholar Privileges

The STS and the Merit Scholarship offer pretty much the same set of privileges for students. Chosen applicants will receive

• Group accident insurance and group health insurance
• Monthly living allowance good for 10-11 months. Students majoring in Physics-related courses will get 4,000 pesos a month, while those majoring in other courses will receive 3,000 pesos a month.
• Free economy-class, round trip airfare for one between the applicants’ homes and colleges of choice. This is only for those who will need to travel from the provinces, and is available on a reimbursement basis.
• A one-time (read: only for the first semester of the freshman year) 500-peso grant for the applicants’ P.E. and/or ROTC uniform (s)
• A 3,000-peso allowance (per academic year) for school supplies and textbooks.
• Subsidized school and tuition fees with a ceiling of 4,000 pesos per term or semester.

Please note that the monthly living allowance and the various subsidies also apply to required summer classes, only with modified rates. For instance, the ceiling on tuition and miscellaneous fees is 1,500 pesos, while the ceiling on school supplies and textbooks is 500 pesos.

Scholar Obligations

Being programs of the same department, it’s no wonder that the STS’ obligations are pretty much identical to that of the Merit Scholarship’s—namely, chosen scholars must comply with the terms of the scholarship contract. That includes enrolling in either CHED Centers of Development (or Excellence) or DOST-SEI accredited universities.

Other conditions include maintaining the STS’ grade requirements and serving the country after graduation. The latter has the graduates doing full time work relevant to their chosen field (most likely in their home region or region of origin) for a period of time at least as long as their time spent as DOST scholars.

Contact Details

It would be best to talk to the DOST-SEI folks to get your questions answered. Feel free to call them at (632) 837-1359 or (632) 839-0241. Facsimiles go to (632) 837-1924. Alternatively, those who prefer face-to-face inquiries may visit the Science Education Institute headquarters at the third floor of the PTRI building, General Santos Avenue, Bicutan, Taguig City.