SENATE President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III gave P125,000 for students of the University of the East who lost their scholarship grants, former UE professor Obed de la Cruz said.

For the first semester of Academic Year 2021-2022, the university announced the change in scholarship policy, limiting the number of scholars in each college.

“It must be remembered that, this year, many UE students lost their scholarship grant in the middle of the semester due to cost-cutting measures even if their average grades remained 90 and above. Around 7% only of the scholars were retained,” De la Cruz wrote.

“Many of these students risked enrolling again during the new semester even if there was no certainty of their scholarship grant because the list is only announced after enrollment and not before,” he added.

Student groups Para Sa Mandirigma Initiatives and Connect A Student helped the scholars by seeking assistance outside the university.

It was through these groups that Sotto heard about the plight of the students and raised funds for them.

“Through Para Sa Mandirigma Initiative and Connect A Student, Senate President Tito Sotto heard what happened and looked for ways to help these students raise the funds they needed,” De la Cruz shared.