UST student-athletes to lose scholarships due to COVID-19 crisis

About 30 student-athletes from the University of Santo Tomas will lose their scholarships in the next term of the academic year 2020-2021 as the school grapples with the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to a report by The Varsitarian, the university’s official student publication, other student-athletes were also sent to training pools, which would still qualify then for a 50% tuition discount.

“Wala pang formal letter na binibigay sa amin pero sinabihan na kami na hindi na kami scholars. Nagbawas na sa amin, halos lahat ng Team B wala na,” a student-athlete said.

The school paper also said UST rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., earlier announced that scholarships granted during the second semester of the A.Y. 2019-2020 would continue until December 2020.

However, based on the UST Office for Admissions' website, only the Santo Tomas Academic Scholarship (given to students with excellent academic performance) and San Martin de Porres Equity Scholarship (given to students in need of financial assistance) would be offered this academic year.

The Santo Domingo de Guzman Scholarship, which is granted to student athletes who excel in arts, music and sports, would not be offered.

GMA News Online has reached out to UST’s Institute of Physical Athletics (IPEA) but has yet to receive any comment as of posting time. 

COVID-19 has forced the postponement and cancellation of several sporting events in the country including the University Association of the Philippines, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Philippine Basketball Association. -NB, GMA News