Some 1,740 Pangasinan State University (PSU) students have each received a PHP10,000 scholarship grant from the provincial government of Pangasinan for this school year.

In an interview on Wednesday, PSU students coordinator Erlinda Fernandez said the province’s scholars are children of indigent families who were chosen after rigid interview and inspection.

“They need not get super high grades as long as they do not fail or accumulate incomplete grades for them to stay as scholars of the province,” she said.

Fernandez said the students were from the nine campuses of the PSU.

“The first batch who have received their educational support was from PSU campuses in Asingan, Binmaley, Sta. Maria towns, and San Carlos and Urdaneta cities,” she said.

Fernandez said the students from Alaminos City, Bayambang, Infanta, and Lingayen town will receive their scholarship on Friday.

“The province allotted a fair amount for the scholars and it is worth it because we know they are studying well,” she added.

Fernandez disclosed there are 660 students who have graduated in the school year 2021-2022.

Of the total number, 13 graduated as magna cum laude, 36 cum laude, and 208 with distinction.

John Paulo Datuin, one of the graduates who took up Bachelor of Science (BS) in Secondary Education major in Social Studies in PSU San Carlos City, said the scholarship has been “very helpful” for his studies.

“Masaya dahil makakatulong sa mga needs sa school at sa bahay. Since first year, provincial scholar na ako. Yearly, nakakatanggap ako. Walang maintaining grade pero pinupursige na makakuha ng mataas na grade kasi nakakahiya sa nagpapaaral (I am happy because the amount has been so helpful for my needs and my family’s. Since my first year in college, I was already a provincial scholar. Although there was no maintaining grade, I still studied hard to get good grades for the sake of those sending me to school),” he said in a separate interview.

BS Secondary Education third-year student, Leslie Ann Licuanan, thanked the provincial government for the scholarship grant.

“I sometimes help my parents in the field as they are farmers to be able to earn for my school (needs) so this is indeed a huge help in our finances, especially since my father is sick,” she said.

Meanwhile, special assistant to the governor, Von Mark Mendoza, urged the students to strive for excellence and make the province and their country proud. (PNA)