New students admitted to SM scholarship for 2019

SM Foundation welcomed 430 new scholars to its college scholarship program on May 8, as it continues the legacy of SM founder Henry Sy Sr. of investing in the future through education.

The awarding of the scholarship grants will be done nationwide. This year, Bataan, Daet and Sorsogon have been added to the list of areas where the scholarship is available.

The other areas covered by the scholarship program are NCR, Albay, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac, Zambales in Luzon; Capiz, Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental in the Visayas; and in Mindanao, Agusan del Norte, Davao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, and Zamboanga del Sur.

The college scholarship program is the flagship program of SM Foundation. Under the program, scholars enjoy full tuition and miscellaneous fees subsidy. They are also provided with monthly stipend and job opportunities at SM malls during summer or Christmas breaks. They are given the option of pursuing courses in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering (Civil, Electrical, and Electronics), Education (Elementary and Secondary); Accountancy, and Financial Management, among others.

The new scholars join the more than 1,500 college grantees SM Foundation maintains at any given time since the scholarship program started. They are enrolled in 82 partner colleges and universities.

SM Foundation also supports technical-vocational scholars enrolled in various training centers. Through the techvoc scholarship, SM Foundation offers the option of a two-year course in the areas of Food and Beverage, Automobile Mechanic, Fitter Machinist, Electro-Mechanical Technician, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning, Small Arc Welding and Electromechanics are made available to those who do not want to pursue a four-year collegiate degree. By providing the scholars with skills in demand in the market, they are given better opportunities to improve their lives.

SM scholars who have finished their degrees/trainings are now employed and helping their families, a testament to Henry Sy Sr.’s belief that education is the best defense against poverty. For when one family member graduates from college, he/she is empowered to help another sibling go to school and serve as the key to lift their family out of poverty.