Unshackle: Breaking The Chains of Poverty Through Any Means Necessary

Poverty is a globally recognized issue, yet not enough effort has been made to completely eradicate it. It remains the root cause of other widely acknowledged problems, such as global hunger, inadequate healthcare access, quality education deficits, limited clean water, and poor sanitation, among others.

To help bridge the gap between students from low-income families and their access to basic necessities, the University of Mindanao (UM) recognizes its significant responsibility as a committed and active participant in pursuing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1: No Poverty.

With its open admission policy and a remarkable history of achievements, the University of Mindanao attracts thousands of students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and cultural groups each enrollment period. For the first semester of the academic year 2024-2025, 30,602 students were registered. Of these, 11% are members of various indigenous tribes, while 5% come from impoverished backgrounds.

Financial Aids

To reduce the financial burden many students may encounter, UM offers a variety of scholarship programs. These are not only for students who excel academically or in non-academic fields but also for financially disadvantaged students who deserve support. Scholarships such as the Student Training Assistance Program (STAP) and the Indigent Assistance Program provide essential opportunities for students within the 16% of enrolled students who come from low-income backgrounds.

As stated in the student handbook’s Section 5.2, the University of Mindanao ensures the upholding of students’ rights to an affordable education. Below are the lists of scholarships and grants offered by the university.

Scholarships and Discounts

1. Academic Scholarship

2. Honor Society and College Scholarship – 2nd to 4th/5th year

3. G.E. Torres Scholarship

4. Athletics

5. Cultural Scholarships

6. Student Training Assistance Program (STAP)

• Slots – depending on the number of approved slots needed

• 100% free tuition fee as per curriculum offering for a four-hour duty

• 100% free total assessment (less retake and take home) for an 8-hour duty

7. PD 451/RA 6728/PWD

• Slots

• Free tuition fee up to 21 units for PNP and Indigents

• Free tuition fee for IP, PWD, AFP as per curriculum offering

8. PD 577

9. Indigent Assistance Program

• 35 slots; free total assessment (less retake and take-home)

• 25 – Caddie Dependents and Umbrella Girls

• 08 – Rogationist

• 02 – Carmelite Sisters

10. University Student Government/Mutya Ng UM/ROTC

11. Employee’s Dependents

12. Dolores P. Torres – IP Scholarship (DPT-IP) 

• 100% free of tuition and other miscellaneous fees (less take-home)

• Slots – 50 per semester

13. Family Discounts

14. Cash Discount

15. Early Enrollment Discount

16. Evening Session Enrollees Discount

17. Enrollment Aiders

18. Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

19. Others

20. Land Donor

University Anti-Poverty Programs

The university’s open admission policy facilitates access for students from diverse financial, social, and cultural backgrounds. Through the financial aid provided, students from low-income groups can more readily complete their college programs and graduate.

UM deeply values its students' health and well-being. According to Section 5.6.1 of the student handbook, the university provides adequate healthcare facilities, giving students easy access to free medical, dental, and counseling services. Additionally, a campus service vehicle offers free transportation within the campus premises.

Community Anti-Poverty Programs

Recognizing its responsibility to contribute to poverty eradication beyond its campus, the University of Mindanao reaches out to communities through various extension programs aimed at fostering economic awareness and financial literacy.

By collaborating with institutions that share the same commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 1, the University of Mindanao is able to transfer knowledge and skills to local communities essential to the start-up of financially and socially sustainable businesses. For instance, the university, through the Community Extension Center, has been engaging with the Bagobo Tagabawa Tribal Council and other communities in the implementation of several anti-poverty programs.

In a world where obtaining even the most basic necessities often requires significant effort, the University of Mindanao is dedicated to alleviating poverty’s impact, one step at a time. UM remains committed to freeing its students from the constraints that hold them in the "laylayan."