Scholarship grants for Pantawid kids

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and the Department of Labor and Employment joined together for the scholarship program for the underprivileged  called Students’ Grants-in-aid program for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA).

The program is piloted in Pantawid Pamilya areas to put into action the 1986 Philippine Constitution that said “Protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and take appropriate steps to make such education accessible; establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan program, subsidies and other incentives which shall be available to deserving student in public and private schools especially the underprivileged.”

The program is a long-term commitment to break the cycle of poverty brought about by illiteracy and under-education, one of the objectives of DSWD’s Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program.

Of the 609 municipalities identified for the SGP-PA implementation, 47 come from the Central Visayas with 26 municipalities from Cebu, 19 from Negros Oriental and two from Siquijor.

Six scholarship slots will be given to each municipality for Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

Scholarship applicants should not be more than 30 years old, physically and mentally fit and not covered by a higher education scholarship from public institutions, among others.

The program covers courses like information technology, agriculture and related fields, education, science and math, engineering, pharmacy, radiology and medical technology, arts and humanities, atmospheric and environmental science.

Each scholar will receive a P60,000 grant for the whole year or P30,000/semester covering tuition fee, textbooks and monthly allowance of P3,500.

For the scholars to continually enjoy the privilege, they have to carry a full load per semester as prescribed by the curriculum, finish the course within the required period, maintain a satisfactory grade and render a return of service for two years after graduation.

The parents of the scholars will sign a contract with their children’s  schools as the executor of the program, support their child towards completion of college studies, ensure that the recipient will religiously attend his/her classes and minimize absences and complete school requirements, and provide moral support and ensure that the financial benefits received by the grantee will be spent correctly and on time.

The national SGP-PA committee will conduct a spot check in the implementation of the program.

The  SGP-PA sees to it that the children of the underprivileged poor will earn a college degree to find a job and help their family, thus breaking the cycle of poverty.

“Gusto ko ma engineer para matabangan akong mama ug papa. Gusto ko ma teacher, gusto ko mag businesswoman, gusto ko maka eskwela ug human (I want to be an engineer so I can help my mother and father… I want to be a teacher… I want to be a businesswoman… I just want to finish school),” these are the echoes of Pantawid Pamilya children nationwide.