De La Salle University has made it its mission to extend financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students. Through the Office of Admissions and Scholarships, student aid programs are provided to make quality education affordable, especially to students who would not have otherwise considered enrolling in the University.
Among the many opportunities provided by the office are the Star Scholarship, Vaugirard Scholarship, Gokongwei Scholarship, the Archers Achievers Scholarship for DLSU College Admission Test topnotchers, and sports scholarships for student athletes, in cooperation with the Office for Sports Development.
But the scholarship office is not the only host of such opportunities for students. Other offices around DLSU have also dedicated themselves to funding various scholarship programs, such as the College Intervention Fund offered by De La Salle University-Parents of University Students Organizations. Moreover, the University Student Government (USG), in its pursuit of catering to student needs, has initiated its own thrusts in providing financial aid as well through its own programs overseen by the Office of the Executive Treasurer (OTREAS).
Opportunities offered
Currently led by Executive Treasurer Adi Briones, the USG has been actively sourcing sponsors to accommodate student grants. Last February 1, a launch of its financial services was held, introducing the student body to the various opportunities available to them through the student government. The five programs established are the Lasallian Scholar Program (LSP), Achiever Scholar Program (ASP), Student Government Allowance, Student Government Loan, and the Subsidized Student Services.
Briones explains that LSP is a “needs-based scholarship program” for financially troubled students. He further shares that the selection of recipients is conducted through the assessment of their application forms and their face-to-face interview. Meanwhile, the ASP is a “merit-based” assessment measured based on academic performance and extra-curricular activity engagement.
As for short-term financial aid, The Student Government Allowance, provides financial compensation for students in need of monetary help on a termly basis, while the Student Government Loan Program offers loans to students who are not capable of paying their tuition and fees at present because of limited income. Lastly, the Subsidized Student Services is a program meant for students who “cannot completely afford the cost of University life”; beneficiaries of the program receive allowances for other expenses such as subsidized meals, printing costs, and photocopying costs.
Maintaining programs
These student-led initiatives, according to Briones, are funded through different means. He explains that the USG sources the needed money either through fundraising activities, such as the bazaars they organize, or through cash received from sponsors and donors. Recently, they were able to secure commitments from the DLSU Alumni Association and the DLSU Science Foundation to support their programs.
In order to maintain these programs, Briones says that they work closely with the different offices in the University. “Collaborating with the Office of Student LIFE, the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Admissions and Scholarship, and the Vice President for Lasallian Mission has always been integral in the formation of our financial assistance programs,” he stresses. Briones adds that the administration monitors their services every term and are even involved during the selection of potential scholars because “they have the better means of evaluating who are deserving” of their assistance programs.
Word from the beneficiaries
Maria Ana Gonzalez (II, AB-OSDM), one of the recipients of LSP, shares that the program has definitely helped her and her family by easing the financial burden on her parents who are already in their 50s. Gonzalez, who learned of the scholarship opportunity through the USG’s Facebook page, states that she received the LSP grant because she met the needed requirement of an annual family income that does not exceed P700,000 and a cumulative grade point average of 2.00.
She explains that the criteria for deciding who would get the higher or lower grant were mostly based on financial need and an interview, but academic performance was also partly considered. “I believe this is fair, because a lot of Lasallians who have experienced very unexpected and devastating financial problems just want to continue or finish the degree they started in DLSU and not have their dream shattered in the middle of it,” Gonzalez explains.
She also commends the application process for being “smooth and convenient” and that the College of Liberal Arts ambassador was quick to respond to her messages. “Submissions were done online so there was no need to print anything besides those that required my signature, and the recommendation forms provided were clear and precise…The entire application process [was] efficient and the interviewers were accommodating,” Gonzalez narrates.
Meanwhile, Angela De Castro (I, CAM-ADV), another student reaping the benefits of LSP, says she came to know about the program when she asked her friend, who is a scholar, for updates about the scholarship opportunities in the University.
The LSP scholar narrates that she was overjoyed when she received an email from OTREAS about being accepted into the program. “I think I became a grantee because of my strong drive to succeed and I am really passionate about what I wanted to do,” De Castro states.
She admits that there were some difficulties along the way, but nonetheless expresses that it was worth it in the end. “The process to claim the grant wasn’t easy. You really have to monitor your status in the Accounting Office so you can be cleared, but it’s all worth the hardship. LSP is indeed a blessing to me,” De Castro concludes.
