SM Foundation welcomes 430 new scholars to its college scholarship program on Wednesday, May 8, as it continues the legacy of SM founder Mr. Henry Sy Sr. of investing in the future through education.
The awarding of the scholarship grants will be done nationwide, the charitable arm of the mall giant said in a statement.
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 the National Capital Region, Albay, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac, and 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, whose scholars enjoy full tuition and miscellaneous fees subsidy. They are also provided a 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 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 tech-voc scholarship, SM Foundation 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, foundation officials said.
SM scholars who have finished their degrees and training are now employed and helping their families, a testament to the late Mr. Sy Sr.’s belief that education is the best defense against poverty.
When one family member graduates from college, he or she is empowered to help another sibling go to school and serve as the key to lift their family out of poverty, the mall magnate once said.