Empowering Pathways: Universidad de Manila’s Commitment to Supporting Low-Income Students through Inclusive Scholarship Programs
By Loida Primavera
In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: No Poverty, Universidad de Manila (UDM) continues to uphold its mission of providing equitable access to higher education through extensive financial and welfare support programs for students from low-income households. These initiatives ensure that financial challenges do not hinder deserving scholars from completing their education and becoming productive members of society.
Under the Office of the University Registrar, UDM has facilitated access to both government-funded and private foundation scholarships, directly supporting a total of 594 student-beneficiaries across various programs. These scholarships not only provide tuition and educational assistance but also extend to transportation, meal, and housing support, ensuring that students from low-income backgrounds receive the holistic help they need to stay in school.
Among the government-funded programs, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Tulong Dunong Program assists three (3) students with stipends ranging from ₱7,500–₱10,000 per semester, while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-SEI) supports one (1) scholar with an ₱8,000 monthly stipend plus ₱40,000 tuition subsidy and book allowance. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provides substantial support through the Tara Basa Tutoring Program, which benefited 254 UDM students (172 tutors and 82 youth development workers), and the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), which extended ₱4,000 per semester to 265 students in financial distress.
UDM’s partnerships with corporate and foundation sponsors further strengthened its inclusive education framework. The Charity First Foundation currently assists 20 students, offering daily transportation and meal allowances, as well as book and graduation fee support. Meanwhile, Bless the Children Foundation, Inc. provides medical and educational assistance to 42 students across different colleges, while the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation supports 18 students through monthly stipends and educational materials tailored to their specific needs.
Altogether, these programs—representing both public and private sectors—serve 594 low-income students receiving financial aid, reinforcing UDM’s position as a compassionate, student-centered institution committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education. These beneficiaries represent the bottom financial quintile of households, and through targeted assistance, UDM ensures they have the resources necessary to complete their studies successfully and pursue brighter futures.
Through these targeted scholarship efforts, Universidad de Manila reaffirms its unwavering dedication to SDG 1 (No Poverty) by empowering students from low-income families to complete their degrees, achieve personal growth, and uplift their communities. By ensuring that financial hardship never becomes a barrier to learning, UDM stands as a beacon of hope for inclusive and sustainable development in the nation’s capital.
