QC EXPANDS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Some P140 million has been allocated by the Quezon City government for the expansion of the city’s scholarship program for tertiary education, which to date, is considered as the biggest scholarship allocation by a local government unit in the country.

Mayor Herbert Bautista underscored the importance of expanding the program to help open up more quality educational opportunities to underprivileged high school graduates who wanted to pursue college education.

Part of the expansion program provides the inclusion of students who graduated   as first, second and third honorable mention in high school as new program beneficiaries.

As provided under the revised guidelines in the grant of the city’s scholarship program, students who graduated with said distinctions shall be awarded a maximum amount of P30,000 in scholarship to cover payment for tuition and other school fees and a stipend of P10,000 for every school year.

The city government has set aside P15 million for the grant of the educational   benefits.

In the old guidelines, the city’s scholarship program only applies to those who graduated as valedictorians and salutatorians in high school as well as elected officials of the Sangguniang Kabataan and alumni of the SB Center for Excellence (CENTREX).

Students who graduated as valedictorians and salutatorians in high school are entitled to a scholarship of P80,000 and stipend of P20,000 a year.

Qualified students of the QC Polytechnic University are also included as beneficiaries of the city’s scholarship program, who are provided with grant-in-aid amounting to P8,000 covering payment for tuition and other school fees.  They are also provided by the city with stipend amounting to P3,000 each.

To date, the program has benefited a total of 10,294 scholars. For schoolyear 2010 – 2011, the program has provided accommodation to about 3,189 scholars.

Meanwhile, 101 deserving students from underprivileged families in Quezon City will be awarded stipends by the city government next week as the city expands further its scholarship program for tertiary education.

The city has set aside P1 million to cover payment for the allowance with each   scholar entitled to receive a P10,000 stipend.

Mayor Bautista and Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte will lead city officials during the awarding of financial assistance slated March 10 at the QC Hall Bulwagang Amoranto.

Program beneficiaries are former valedictorians and salutatorians who graduated from the different public high schools in Quezon City. -30- Precy/Ej/Maureen Quinones, PAISO