STUDENTS of the University of the East denounced the recent decision of the school administration to suspend the processing of scholarships of all first-time scholars for the second semester of Academic Year 2020-2021.

UE President Ester Garcia on February 4 released a memorandum saying that the university will first review and evaluate the scholarship grants of the students.

“Relative thereto and pending thereof, the processing of scholarship grants to all students who are qualified as candidates for scholarship for the first time this current semester shall be suspended until further notice,” the memorandum said.

“Pinaghirapan ng bata mawawala rin pala. Dapat po ‘di na kayo nagbigay ng memo para sa scholarship kung hindi rin lang magagamit. Sayang lang pinaghirapan ng mga student makuha lang ang scholarship na ‘yan,” a student lamented.

“Bakit sususpendihin? Pinaghirapan ng mga bata ‘yan na makakuha ng mataas na grade para maging scholar at makatulong sa mga magulang lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya. Malapit na ang exam ng mga batang ‘yan. Paano ‘yung mga magulang na umaasa na walang babayaran dahil full scholar? Gulatan ang ginawa ninyo. Ang mga magulang paano? Saang kamay kukuhanin ‘yan? Parang scam, ha? Matapos pangakuan ng scholarship, babawiin ninyo?” another student said.

The University Student Council and Central Student Council said they will ask for clarification from the UE administrators regarding the matter.

“Rest assured that the USC and CSC will condemn this unfair and unjustifiable decision,” the student councils added.

In January, the university’s Admissions Office informed students that a new policy has been adopted and scholars with a history of failing marks were disqualified for scholarships programs.

The students denounced the move and asked administrators to exercise accountability and compassion.

But Garcia pointed out that a scholarship grant is “not a matter of right but a mere privilege.”

She added that scholars must “at all time meet all conditions.” Failure to meet one or more of these conditions would result to the revocation of the scholarship.