MORE than 100 graduating senior high school students from Negros Occidental aspiring to be college scholars of SM Foundation starting school year 2020-2021 took the qualifying exams at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) information technology building.
Greg Baclea-an, SM Foundation assistant manager for education programs, said those who will be granted a scholarship will enjoy full college tuition and other benefits. “At our partner schools, students’ choice of specialization include accounting, information technology, engineering and education,” he said.
This year, SM Foundation implemented the digital examination, making the process faster and more efficient. Students who passed the exam qualified for the next round or the interview portion.
For more than 20 years, SM Foundation has supported the college education of qualified and deserving students with limited financial means. “It was our SM founder, Henry Sy, Sr.’s belief that when a family member graduates from college and starts earning, that scholar can help another sibling go to school and serve as the key to lift their family our of poverty,” said Baclea-an.
There are partner schools located in most provinces nationwide. In Negros Occidental, SMFI has scholars in the University of St. La Salle, Colegio de San Agustin, Technological University of the Philippines – Visayas, and the examination’s venue UNO-R.
Aside from tuition, the scholars also get a monthly allowance, may avail of part time jobs during semestral and holiday breaks, enjoy other fun-filled enrichment activities and has opportunities for employment at SM.
The online screening is currently being held at different venues all over the country. SM Foundation hopes to complete their scholars’ lineup in a few weeks so that the final roster of scholars can be announced earlier.
Aside from the scholarship program, SM Foundation provides other educational support like technical-vocational scholarships for out-of-school youth in selected areas and school building donations. Other areas where SM Foundation is involved are for medical, health and wellness, livelihood, relief operations, among others. (PR)