By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

As part of the government's aim to make quality tertiary education more accessible for the country's youth, students of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) continue to benefit from the financial assistance programs of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

This semester, 2,560 college students have received their stipends from the CHED’s Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and the Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), with 770 and 1,790 beneficiaries, respectively. 

In a video message, CHED Chair J. Prospero E. De Vera III explained the objectives of the two grants-in-aid programs to the students, saying these programs spell the commission’s commitment in making tertiary education accessible to all, especially in these trying times.

Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco, vice president for academic affairs, reminded the grantees to manage this financial support wisely. She also urged the beneficiaries to “dream big and not to fail the vision of their family, the government and MMSU for them.” Strengthened scholarship programs contribute to the continuous realization of Academic Excellence which comes first in the ACHIEVE agenda of MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis. 

The MMSU Office of Student Affairs and Services (OSAS) and the Cashier’s Office facilitated the distribution of the stipends in a ceremony held on April 21-22 at the MMSU Covered Court. 

The cash amount of Php 20,000 was given to each TES grantee while Php 7,500 was handed over to every TDP recipient. These stipends are given to qualified tertiary students every semester. 

Of the 770 TES grantees, 167 come from the College of Teacher Education (CTE); 131 from the College of Agriculture, Food and Sustainable Development (CAFSD); 125 from the College of Industrial Technology (CIT); 123 from the College of Engineering (COE); 111 from the College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA); 56 from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS); 25 from Dingras campus; 20 from the College of Health Sciences (CHS); and 12 from the College of Aquatic Sciences and Applied Technology (CASAT). 

Of the 1,790 TDP beneficiaries, 385 come from CBEA; 378 from CTE; 308 from COE; 185 from CAS and CIT each; 177 from CAFSD; 122 from CHS; 42 from CASAT; and eight from Dingras campus. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)