Security Bank Foundation expanded its college scholarship program in the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. The program expansion shall increase the number of scholarship slots offered from seven (7) scholars to twelve for a period of four years and augment the scholarship package from an annual stipend of Php 30,000 to Php 100,000 per scholar. The enhancements to the college scholarship program were sealed through a Memorandum of Agreement signing held on January 28, 2020 at UP Diliman campus in Quezon City.
In 2019, an SBFI scholar in UP Diliman obtained a degree in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree and graduated Cum Laude. For the School Year 2019-2020, Security Bank Foundation recruited three freshmen college scholars taking up BSBA and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accountancy (BSBAA) degrees while one junior college scholar taking up BSBAA degree was maintained. Security Bank Foundation will sustain the recruitment of three freshmen college scholars every school year until the twelve college scholarship slots for UP Diliman are filled.
“Security Bank Foundation defines its advocacy as education and believes that deserving students should be given the opportunity to finish their education despite financial challenges. We see education as a tool to empower individuals. Once these scholars graduate, they would have access to better career opportunities, and they would have better means to uplift the lives of their families. Educated individuals will serve as future leaders of the country who will drive development in communities and participate in building a better Philippines,” said Melissa Aquino, Trustee of Security Bank Foundation, Inc. (BSBAA 78, MBA 82).
Security Bank Foundation provides educational assistance to deserving college students taking up courses directly supporting bank operations such as Accountancy, Business, Industrial Engineering, Management, Finance, Information Technology, Computer Studies, Mathematics, Statistics, Communications and Social Sciences through their Scholars for Better Communities Scholarship Program. Aside from financial assistance, SBFI also extends developmental activities to its scholars through opportunities for internship, involvement in corporate social responsibility activities, and attendance to learning sessions provided by partner institutions.
“UP Diliman is most grateful for the generous donation of Security Bank to support our students,” shared Dr. Michael Tan, Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman, “Although tuition fees are no longer charged at UP and in state universities and colleges, students continue to face many challenges making ends meet, sometimes not even being able to take three meals a day. The needs are endless, and we need more institutions like Security Bank in supporting our Iskolar ng Bayan so they can reach their full potential.”
For the School Year 2019-2020, Security Bank Foundation has provided educational assistance to 403 scholars nationwide, which is a 24% increase from the total number of beneficiaries last school year.
For the School Year 2020-2021, Security Bank Foundation will recruit incoming college freshmen scholars enrolled in its eight (8) partners schools namely, Ateneo de Manila University, Chiang Kai Shek College, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of the Philippines Diliman and University of Santo Tomas. Interested applicants may apply through www.securitybank.com/foundation/external-scholarship-program/