SM continues to practice its social good efforts as SM Foundation (SMFI) recently welcomed more than 300 scholars for SY 2022-2023.
Even through the pandemic, SM Foundation’s commitment to giving access to education didn’t falter. It is one of the legacies left by SM founder Henry Sy Sr so each scholar can also help their siblings go to school and get better opportunities.
Incoming College Freshmen scholars were welcomed during the Rise To Greatness online event broadcasted on SMFI’s Facebook account and YouTube channel. 40% of the 300 new scholars are from the National Capital Region while 60% are from different provinces in the Philippines. Together with the previous scholars, there is now a total of 1,300 current scholars under the SM Foundation.
Under the program, SM Foundation covers the full tuition and miscellaneous fees. On top of that, scholars also get a monthly stipend and are exposed to different activities and job opportunities at SM malls during semestral and Christmas breaks. Since the scholars are already with SM, they have a chance to land their dream jobs in companies within SM.
The SM Foundation scholarship program covers different fields of studies like Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Computer, and Electronics), Education (Elementary and Secondary), Accountancy, and Financial Management, among others.
19-year-old Ashley Amansec is now enrolled at the National University pursuing BS in Mechanical Engineering. He admitted that he always had his eyes on the SM college scholarship program. “I learned that to better prepare them for a changing workplace environment, SM Scholars also receive training activities, which enable their scholars to learn how to develop and market ideas, work as a part of a team, and other personal development trainings. I believe that this is a great component of their scholarship program – which will prepare us before joining the real world,” he shared.
Another scholar is 18-year-old Niva Gracielle Samonte who is now at Central Philippine University taking up BSECE. She shares that it has been very challenging for her to apply. Being the eldest among three children of a tricycle driver, she promised herself that she needs to work hard for a scholarship. “Knowing that I am financially underprivileged, I promised myself that I must take every opportunity to acquire a college scholarship. I told myself, it’s either I take a shot and do my best for the SM scholarship, or I become a working student,” Niva said.
Now studying Accountancy at Our Lady of Pillar College in Cauayan, Isabela, Emerald Clare Cusamo is a 17-year-old who has always been fascinated with Financial Management. “‘Rich Dad and Poor Dad’ by Robert Kiyosaki made me realize how financial literacy can grant you financial freedom. After graduating, I will try my best to share my knowledge on financial literacy – which I believe will help my fellow kababayans on improving their financial management which will in turn, help their economic status,” Emerald shared.
Since 1993, SM Foundation has been providing college and technical vocational scholarships. More than 8,000 scholars had graduated from the program.
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