SM Foundation screens more scholar aspirants
SM Foundation teams travelled to different parts of the country to screen more applicants to the SM College Scholarship Program.
It was in 1993 when the first batch of SM scholars were accepted upon the institutionalization of the program by SM founder and patriarch Henry Sy Sr.
Scholars admitted to the program will be able to study a four- or five-year baccalaureate degree accountancy, information technology, engineering, or education without worrying about their tuition. They will also get a monthly allowance, part-time job opportunities during their school breaks, personality enrichment programs, and employment priority with the SM Group of Companies in the future. They are, however, not obligated to work for SM after graduation.
Upon qualifying in the prescreening, the applicants are given written examinations and are interviewed by SM Foundation personnel. An evaluating team also conducts home visitations to ensure the scholarship slots are filled up by deserving applicants.
The scholarship team has conducted screening in Bacolod, Baliuag, Cagayan de Oro, Calamba, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Marilao, Naga, Olongapo, Ormoc, Rizal, Sariaya, San Pablo, Tacloban, Tarlac, Taytay, and Zamboanga del Sur.
Scholarship programs assistant vice president Eleanor Lansang said the scholarship aims to uplift the lives of less-privileged but deserving students.
“This is already a big help and once the scholars graduate, they can send their siblings to school,” Lansang said.
Henry Sy Sr. believes that education is the best defense against poverty and he wants to have at least one scholar from a family.