The years 2015 and 2018 are ones that Danielle Francis Olsen is not likely to forget. The former was when she entered college to take up accountancy at the University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos, and the latter was when she graduated summa cum laude. All this was made possible with deep faith, hard work, determination, and an SM Foundation scholarship.
Olsen is one of the 333 graduates of SM Foundation’s College Scholarship Program, Class of 2018.
The road to a BS Accountancy degree was not easy for Olsen, daughter of a tricycle driver father and breast cancer survivor mother. Her family’s limited income and financial constraints made going to college almost just a dream despite being academically gifted.
In a tribute program for this year’s scholar graduates held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City last June, Olsen had the privilege of delivering a speech. What she was repeatedly thankful for from this program was the opportunity of finishing her studies. “Because of my SM scholarship, I am on my way to achieving dreams, not just mine, but the dreams of my younger siblings, too,” she said. “To finish your studies is the happiest feeling in the world. I remember when my parents found out I made it to the list of SM Foundation scholars, their joy reached the sky.”
The SM Foundation Scholarship program began in 1993 by Henry Sy, Sr., founder of the SM Group of Companies. Together with his wife, Felicidad, and children, they wanted to send deserving high school graduates from marginalized backgrounds to college, hoping that a chain effect would help uplift the life of their family. To this day, SM Foundation has changed more than 3,000 lives and counting.
Addressing the Sys in her speech, Olsen said, “Hundreds of thank yous are not enough payment for the great help you’ve given us. Through your foundation, you provided a way for us to prove that someday, through hard work and success, we will be able to help our families get out of poverty.”
Now Accepting Applications for AY 2019-2020
SM Foundation is currently accepting applications for the upcoming academic year. Interested students may apply online through the SM Foundation website www.sm-foundation.org. College scholars enjoy full tuition from their choice of specialization in accounting, information technology, engineering and education at accredited schools.
Scholars also get a monthly allowance, with part time job opportunities available during semester and holiday breaks. Participation in fun-filled enrichment programs lets the scholars get to know each other and bond as a family while learning and preparing for future leadership roles. Students are also considered for positions in any of SM’s companies upon completion of their academic education.
Qualified to apply are Grade 12 graduating students from public high schools or Grade 10 graduating students from private high schools with DepEd vouchers. Applicants must have general weighted average of at least 88% by the second or third grading period. Their total household income should not exceed P150,000 per year.
Areas covered are: NCR, Albay, Bataan, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Sorsogon, Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac, Zambales, Capiz, Cebu, Iloilo, Leyte, Negros Occidental, Agusan del Norte, Davao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato, and Zamboanga del Sur.
Complete guidelines, requirements and other instructions are at www.sm-foundation.org. Deadline for submission of the applications are on January 31, 2019. (PR)
