by: Richard Ley M. Portillas – Administrative Assistant III

The Department of Education with the State pension fund Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) announced this year’s allocation of 20 of the 200 slots in the GSIS Scholarship Program (GSP) for qualified dependents of persons with disabilities (PWDs), indigenous people (IPs), and solo or single parents.

The enhanced GSP’s guidelines alloting 10 percent of the total program grantees for those belonging to special sectors were issued in support of the national government’s effort to raise the number of college graduates in the country.

According to GSIS President and General Manager Robert G. Vergara, deserving and underprivileged dependents of PWDs, IPs, and single parents defined under Republic Act 8972 (Solo Parents Welfare Act of 2000) now have the chance to fulfill their dream of earning a college degree from schools that provide quality education.

Under the program, GSIS shoulders up to P20,000 of the scholars’ actual cost of tuition and miscellaneous fees per semester. They also get a monthly stipend of P2,000.

GSP is open to all active GSIS members at the time of application; have paid premium contributions for the last six months; have a permanent status in government service for at least three years; have a salary grade of 24 or below, or its equivalent job level; and whose dependents are incoming college freshmen accepted in any four- or five-year course, or in priority courses identified by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

The application period is from May 4 to June 11, 2015. Application forms may be obtained from any GSIS branch office or downloaded from the GSIS website, www.gsis.gov.ph.

Launched in 1998, GSP has been the part of the pension fund’s corporate social responsibility.

Questions on the program may be directed to the GSIS Corporate Social Advocacies and Public Relations Facilities Department at 976-4970 or at 479-3600 ( local 3414 ).