LOST CHED Tuition subsidy
Through RA no 10931 provides free tuition to all undergraduate students of State Universities. This covers the first 4 years. After that, medical students at UPCM tuitions will be covered through a tuition fee subsidy provided by CHED and DBM. The scheme is illustrated below
In the beginning of this year, without forewarning, CHED announced that it cannot cover further tuition subsidy at the UPCM. This affected around 55 students. The students then went through a screening process and by the beginning of March, 15 needy students were identified and 5 additional students could only afford partial payment of the tuition fee. Dean Charlotte Chiong reached out to UPMASA for help. The Legacies Committee was tasked by President Lou Publico to look for funding and we found that from the SALANGA largese, we had available funds to cover Php 37,000 per student for the 15 and Php 18,000 per student for the additional 5. On March 18, our Treasurer and Finance Chair were given instructions to release Php 645,000 so that these students can complete their year.
For the next academic school year, instead of increasing our Scholarship subsidy to $2000/year in order to be competitive with the DOH scholarship, we decided to peg it at its current $1500/student per year in order to cover more students especially those who will no longer have the CHED subsidy available.
Reported by:
Henry Echiverri MD, co-Chair, UPMASA Legacies Committee
May 16, 2022
Dr. Lourdes Publico
President, UPMASA
Dr. Henry Echiverri
Chair, Legacy Committee, UPMASA
Dear Dr. Lourdes Publico and Dr. Henry Echiverri,
I am Ciara D. Janer, an LU III student in the UP College of Medicine. I am writing this letter to acknowledge my receipt of the tuition fee assistance and also express my deep gratitude for allowing me to be one of its recipients. Last semester, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) abruptly informed the college that the Cash Grant for Medical Students enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (CGMS-SUCs), will no longer apply to the lateral entrants for the LU 3 and the incoming intarmed students. This was announced around November, and it has greatly caused anxiety and has caught us off-guard financially. One of my reasons for choosing to enter in the UP College of Medicine despite the uncertainties and my financial constraints was hoping that UP might make my dream of becoming a doctor a little more accessible.
Now, despite all the struggles, I am in awe that I am now about to finish my first year of medical education in the next few weeks. It has not been easy and it would definitely not have been possible without the help of the UPCM community which has shown tremendous support not just in terms of academics but also in helping students like me to find the resources to finance our education. Given that, I humbly extending my deepest thanks to you and your organization (UPMASA) for your tireless support for financially-struggling students like me. In these unprecedented times, your support has helped to alleviate a significant burden and source of anxiety and stress off of my back. I can offer nothing but my gratitude and only assure you that your help will contribute significantly in my education and in honing another doctor committed to serving those who are even less privileged than I am. Once again, thank you very much for your help.
Sincerely,
Ciara D. Janer
LU III, Class 2026