CHED says no new scholars this year, cites budget constraints as lockdown continues | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
CHED says no new scholars this year, cites budget constraints as lockdown continues
CHED says no new scholars this year, cites budget constraints as lockdown continues
Jaehwa Bernardo and Katrina Domingo,
ABS-CBN News
Published May 21, 2020 10:56 PM PHT
|
Updated May 22, 2020 10:51 PM PHT

MANILA (UPDATE) — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said Thursday that it would not grant merit scholarships this year due to the budget constraints in relation to the coronavirus pandemic.
MANILA (UPDATE) — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) said Thursday that it would not grant merit scholarships this year due to the budget constraints in relation to the coronavirus pandemic.
At a Senate hearing, Chairman Prospero de Vera said the agency's current budget can only cover existing scholars under the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)
At a Senate hearing, Chairman Prospero de Vera said the agency's current budget can only cover existing scholars under the CHED Merit Scholarship Program (CMSP)
"We are giving out a notice that we will not be able to give merit scholarship for this school year," he said.
"We are giving out a notice that we will not be able to give merit scholarship for this school year," he said.
"Ang mapopondohan namin doon sa natitirang pera ay iyong continuing lang kasi kung tatanggap kami ng bago tapos hindi mabibigyan 'yong continuing, mas kawawa sila," he added.
"Ang mapopondohan namin doon sa natitirang pera ay iyong continuing lang kasi kung tatanggap kami ng bago tapos hindi mabibigyan 'yong continuing, mas kawawa sila," he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
(With the remaining money, we can only fund current scholars. If we accept new applications, we won't be able to support the existing ones.)
(With the remaining money, we can only fund current scholars. If we accept new applications, we won't be able to support the existing ones.)
In a statement on Friday, De Vera explained that applications for CMSP were suspended "to urgently support and contribute to the government's efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and to prioritize need-based scholarships rather than merit-based scholarships."
In a statement on Friday, De Vera explained that applications for CMSP were suspended "to urgently support and contribute to the government's efforts in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and to prioritize need-based scholarships rather than merit-based scholarships."
CMSP has 2,467 slots for incoming college freshmen for Academic Year 2020 to 2021, according to De Vera.
CMSP has 2,467 slots for incoming college freshmen for Academic Year 2020 to 2021, according to De Vera.
The CMSP provides assistance to students based on their grades. Scholars use the money to pay tuition, miscellaneous fees, and other educational expenses.
The CMSP provides assistance to students based on their grades. Scholars use the money to pay tuition, miscellaneous fees, and other educational expenses.
De Vera added that budget for the reimbursement of tuition and miscellaneous fees in state universities and colleges, and local universities and colleges was not affected by National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 580.
De Vera added that budget for the reimbursement of tuition and miscellaneous fees in state universities and colleges, and local universities and colleges was not affected by National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 580.
The circular ordered government agencies to tighten their belts and put off non-essential spending while the country continued to deal with COVID-19.
The circular ordered government agencies to tighten their belts and put off non-essential spending while the country continued to deal with COVID-19.
The Tertiary Education Subsidy and Student Loan Program were also unaffected by NBC No. 580, De Vera said.
The Tertiary Education Subsidy and Student Loan Program were also unaffected by NBC No. 580, De Vera said.
Read More:
education
Commission on Higher Education
Prospero de Vera
Senate
Senate hearing
scholarship
merit scholarship
COVID-19 education
COVID-19 pandemic
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT