Telco sustains tuition subsidy program

Following the success of its tuition subsidy program in 2012, Talk ‘N Text recently disclosed that it will sustain the initiative with partner schools this coming school year to help ease the financial burden of students and their families amid the rising cost of education in the country.

“The Talk ‘N Text scholarship is a cash assistance program for college students from select partner schools nationwide. This is our way of giving back to the community,” said Jane Basas, Smart Prepaid Marketing Group head.

For school year 2012-13, Talk ‘N Text has chosen via electronic raffle 12 students for each of the 23 partner-schools, bringing the total number of scholars to 276.

The beneficiary-schools included three from the National Capital Region, four from North Central Luzon, three from Southern Luzon, six from Visayas and seven from Mindanao.

During the awarding held last March 13 at Cagayan de Oro College-PHINMA, all 12 winners of the electronic raffle expressed their thanks to Smart-Talk ‘N Text.

April Grace Isma, a freshman student taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, said “My mother was problematic because she doesn’t know where to get money for my tuition. She prayed so hard. Then the next day she received a call. It was really an answered prayer. My mother was very thankful.”

To qualify, students must enroll their Talk ‘N Text and Smart cellphone number to the Smart Infoboard, a web-based communication tool that allows the school to broadcast via SMS announcements and other crucial information. To enroll to Infoboard, students may visit the Talk ‘N Text booth during Balik-Eskwela Caravan or they may proceed to their school’s Student Affairs Office.

The cellphone number must be active. The student must have no failing grades for the previous semester. A student is also allowed to win only once per semester.

An electronic raffle will be conducted at least a month before the final exams with representatives from the school’s student affairs and from Smart.

Talk ‘N Text will give the cash assistance directly to the school, which will then deduct the amount from the student’s school fees for the semester.