PIA Press Release
Thursday, January 12, 2012 Scholarship application for children of former rebels opensby Larry Lopez TABUK, Kalinga,Jan. 11(PIA) -- Application to the scholarship for children of former rebels who availed of government’s enhanced reintegration program is now opened for school years 2012-2016. This was announced by Eusebia Haddac of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), who said that the scholarship is jointly provided by the Office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Process (OPAPP) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Under the grant, beneficiaries enjoy educational support to any four-year course preferably in a government college or university. As support, grantees get a stipend of P5,000 per semester for tuition fee, book allowance and miscellaneous fees. Haddac said although the financial support maybe modest compared to other scholarship programs, it is enough for a semester in government schools. According to Haddac, CHED moved the period in the release of checks at the end of the semester following reports that some grantees just drop from classes after receiving their P5,000. The stipends were previously released at the start of classes. Applications to the scholarship grant are submitted to the PSWDO for evaluation before they were forwarded to the OPAPP for approval. Applicants screened down by the OPAPP could apply of the same program sponsored by the provincial government, with relatively lower allowance of P2,000/semester for tuition fee. Last year, 19 applicants qualified to the OPAPP-CHED scholarship and are now enjoying educational support under the program. (JDP/LL-PIA CAR,Kalinga) | 
