The Saint Louis University (SLU) Office of Global Relations and Alumni Affairs (OGRAA), now overseeing scholarship programs, conducted a Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) Orientation for student grantees under the Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST). The orientation was held on 27 February 2025, at the Audio-Visual Room of the Waldo Perfecto Building.
The orientation, organized by former TES Focal Person Mr. John Sumawang, was led by OGRAA Scholarship Programs Coordinator and present TES Focal Person, Mr. Elmer A. Benito. To formally commence the event, OGRAA Director Stephenie O. Busbus, PhD delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing SLU’s continued commitment to supporting students in their academic journey.
Representing UniFAST – an attached agency of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the primary implementer of Free Higher Education (FHE) and TES under Republic Act 10931 – were Ms. Jezeny Laoyan, Ms. Marife Calimodag, and Ms. Danielle Galong. They led the orientation and open forum, ensuring that the beneficiaries were well-informed about their scholarship.
The discussion focused on the TES application process, promoting transparency in the selection of scholar grantees. Additionally, key topics such as grounds for termination of the grant and the responsibilities of scholars were addressed to help recipients maximize the benefits of the program.
An interactive question-and-answer session followed, allowing student grantees to raise concerns and seek further clarification. The UniFAST representatives provided comprehensive responses, ensuring that scholars had a clear understanding of the program’s policies and expectations.
With initiatives like the TES Orientation, SLU reaffirms its dedication to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals). By deepening its collaboration with government agencies and scholarship programs, the University remains steadfast in its mission to make quality higher education more accessible to deserving students.
For further inquiries regarding scholarship opportunities, students may contact the Office of Global Relations and Alumni Affairs (OGRAA). (Article by Danielle Canlas, OGRAA Intern | Photos by Rachelle Gem Quilling, OGRAA Intern)
