BSU awaiting 170 ‘missing’ scholars to enroll in school

By Alma D. Santiago

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Benguet State University is still locating “missing”170 scholars under the Students’ Grants-In-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (SGP-PA) who have not yet enrolled in the university. 

The scholars were identified by the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

BSU President Dr. Ben D. Ladilad said the university has registered 66 student beneficiaries and still locating the 170 to complete the 236 slots allotted for the Cordillera Administrative Region.

The scholarship program is being implemented by CHED in partnership with DSWD and the Department of Labor and Employment.

The primary aim of the program is to increase the number of graduates in the degree programs among poor households and provide them jobs in order to improve the living conditions of their families for them to be able to contribute to national development.

Under the SGP-PA guideline, student beneficiaries should come from the identified poor households in the municipalities covered under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program of DSWD. In CAR, the areas covered by the Pantawid Pamilya program include the municipalities of Boliney, Bucay, Bucloc, Daguioman, Dolores, La Paz, Lacub, Lagangilang, Licuan-Baay, Luba, Malibcong, Pidigan, Pilar, Sallapadan, San Juan, Tayum, Tubo in the province of Abra; Conner, Luna, Pudtol in Kalinga; Bakun and Kibungan in Benguet; Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hingyon, Hungduan in Ifugao; City of Tabuk, Lubuagan, Pasil, Pinukpuk, Tanudan and Tinglayan in Kalinga; and Bontoc, Paracelis,Sadanga and Sagada in Mountain Province.

In the guidelines for the scholarship, a student beneficiary is entitled to a maximum of P 60,000 grant per school year.

The grant will cover tuition and other school fees, textbooks, board and lodging and other related educational expenses.

The student beneficiary on the other hand should carry a full load required per semester of their chosen degree and maintain satisfactory performance, render a return of service for two years after graduation; and must comply with the provisions stipulated in their scholarship contracts.

BSU is one of the 18 state universities and colleges nationwide providing quality educations identified by CHED where their student beneficiaries could enroll for the scholarship program.

“The qualified student grantees from the identified areas covered by Pantawid Pamilya Program can apply for the scholarship at the Student and Scholarship and Grant Unit under the Office of the Students Affairs Office of the University,” Ladilad said.