A daughter of a Philippine Marines officer, Jamaica Casiano, a first year student at National University Manila, said “my scholarship has relieved me from the financial burden of paying for my education, allowing me to focus fully on my studies.”
The SM Group is expanding scholarship support for uniformed personnel
and their families, reinforcing its push for accessible quality
education as part of its broader strategy to support inclusive growth.
Through
its education institutions, National University (NU) and Asia Pacific
College (APC), the group is widening access to senior high school,
undergraduate and graduate programs, particularly for communities with
limited access to higher education.
NU recently renewed its
partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP), providing up to 2,250 scholarship slots
across its 15 campuses for qualified dependents and active personnel.
NU is present in various cities and provinces including Manila, Laguna,
Pasay, Makati, Quezon City, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Pampanga,
Bacolod, Pasig, Cebu, Las Pinas, and soon in Davao.
The
partnership also includes access to internship, training, and
development opportunities aimed at improving employability outcomes.
Scholars
may avail of a 20 percent discount on tuition and miscellaneous fees
across all programs. The partnership also provides full scholarship to
dependents of KIA (killed-in-action) uniformed personnel.
“We
honor the courage and sacrifice of our soldiers who gave their lives in
service to the nation. As part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Educational Benefit System Office (AFP-EBSO) community of schools, we
are proud to help carry their legacy forward by supporting their
families, especially their children, in pursuing quality education
through scholarship opportunities,” said Rolando Averilla, senior vice
president for Corporate and International Relations for NU.
A
daughter of a Philippine Marines officer, Jamaica Casiano, an
18-year-old first year student at NU Manila, shared that she “chose
National University because it is a UAAP school known for its quality
education and strong academic reputation. Being part of NU motivates me
to strive harder and achieve my goals.”
She said “my scholarship
has relieved me from the financial burden of paying for my education,
allowing me to focus fully on my studies.”
Asia Pacific College
(APC), part of the SM Group, has supported 1,283 scholars from the Armed
Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police since
2006, helping them pursue degrees in IT, engineering, and business,
programs designed to strengthen skills and open pathways for career
advancement.
“Providing access to relevant, industry aligned
education is not just an aspiration for us. It is something we actively
deliver,” said APC president Ma. Teresita “Tata” Medado. “Through this
partnership, we meaningfully honor the service of our uniformed
personnel by equipping them with education that strengthens their
careers, uplifts their families, and enables them to serve their
communities with even greater impact.”
Among the scholars is Lt.
Junior Grade Charles Nakpil of the Philippine Navy, who graduated from
APC in 2016 with a degree in BS Electronics Engineering.
“I am
deeply grateful for the opportunity APC gave me,” said Nakpil. “The
education I received at Asia Pacific College did not only strengthen me
as a public servant; it also gave my family greater security and pride;
and allowed me to serve alongside my colleagues with deeper confidence
and competence. What I learned continues to guide how I lead, how I
work, and how I support the communities we are sworn to protect.”
Separately,
SM Foundation continues to support uniformed personnel through
healthcare initiatives, including the provision of medical equipment and
the development of healthcare facilities.
These efforts form part
of SM’s long-term focus on education as a lever for workforce
development and broader economic participation.