In a significant move to reinforce student welfare, Quirino State University, through the Office of Student Affairs and Services, has launched a series of Scholarship and Financial Assistance programs as affirmative actions in compliance with the RA 10931, known as the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. These actions are based on students’ challenges in financing their education and demographics, including first-generation college students, marginalized groups, disadvantaged students, and equity target groups identified and assessed through student profiling and needs assessment spearheaded by the Guidance Office.

These methods have helped the university develop an evidence-based intervention program to ensure students receive appropriate support needs and policies for implementing internal scholarship and financial assistance programs. Considering the above 50 percent of disadvantaged students enrolled in the university, these university grants lessen financial pressures, enabling students to concentrate more on their studies and less on financing their education. As such, students have already begun to share their stories of how the university’s support systems, including the new scholarship programs, have positively impacted their curricular engagement. They reported feeling more confident pursuing leadership roles in campus organizations and actively engaging in extracurricular activities. In addition, the feedback from parents who benefited from these programs is overwhelmingly positive. Many have expressed gratitude for the opportunities and highlighted how the support has decreased their worries about their children’s education.

In addition to these grants, the university is implementing supportive programs such as counseling, academic advising, and workshops to foster student’s sound psychological and social functioning in dealing with the university’s demands. This commitment is realized through hosting comprehensive orientation programs, open forums, and surveys to gather insights into students’ experiences and needs. These initiatives have become significant in helping them sustain good adjustment to university life’s challenges.

This holistic support service increases the number of students recognized for impressive academic performance by semester and produces top-notch results in board examinations. This indicates that the students appreciate being grantees of scholarships and financial assistance. With these outcomes, Quirino State University continues investing in its student’s education and well-being by setting a target to sustain supportive programs, funding internal grants, and proposing additional scholarship and financial assistance programs to establish a strengthened, supportive, and enriching QSU environment.

Alongside the scholarship offerings, the university envisions boosting its student engagement initiatives. These include entrepreneur mentorship programs, peer counseling, and job placement opportunities. By connecting students with professionals in their fields of interest and providing guidance on career paths, QSU aims to prepare graduates for success in the competitive job market.

The Office of Student Affairs and Services, as part of its ongoing commitment to student welfare, is responsive to gather ongoing feedback from students about their experiences and needs. Regular monitoring and evaluation are conducted to ensure the support programs progress in response to student life’s changing needs.

These collaborative efforts address academic excellence, career readiness, and a diverse, inclusive campus culture. The university firmly believes investing in students’ holistic success is important for their educational undertakings and future careers.

Article: Dr. Jenalyn M. Sarmiento
Photos: The Sower, Blue Star, and Phenom