SoCot enlists 151 new college scholars

GENERAL SANTOS CITY--The provincial government of South Cotabato has enlisted an additional 151 tertiary scholars for this school year under its flagship Kabugwason Paglaum Scholarship Program (KPSP).

Ruel Bagunoc, KPSP executive director, said Friday the new grantees comprise of applicants who passed the final evaluation of the provincial scholarship committee for the 14th batch of the program’s grant-in-aid component.

Bagunoc said they received a total of 1,545 applications under the scholarship's four categories, and the applicants were subjected to stringent screening and evaluation processes as provided by a local ordinance governing the program.

Of the 151 new scholars, he said 104 qualified for Category A, or those with an annual family income of less than PHP200,000.

Bagunoc said one was admitted under Category B, which caters to those with an annual family income of PHP200,000 and above, and five under Category C or for those who received recognition or have won regional, national and international competitions.

He said seven were enlisted under Category D, or for persons with disabilities, and 34 for Category E, for indigenous peoples.

Under the program, scholars under Categories A, C, D and E will receive PHP3,500 per month as stipend and PHP15,000 per semester for tuition and other school fees.

Grantees under Category B will only receive a monthly stipend of PHP1,500 but also get PHP15,000 for the school fees.    

Bagunoc said the program provides additional financial assistance to scholars who would undergo review for board exams.

Aside from the new grantees, he said the program serves a total of 510 continuing college scholars.

This year, he said, some 86 scholars graduated with various degrees from private and state colleges in the province and other areas.

Aside from the grant-in-aid component, KPSP offers scholarships for those taking up law and medicine and for modular or short-term courses.

The local government allotted a total of PHP25 million under its annual budget for the program‘s implementation this year.

Some PHP15 million has been set aside for degree courses, PHP5 million for postgraduate studies and PHP2 million for the modular courses. (PNA)