UST confirms that student-athletes will still carry over scholarships

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After The Varsitarian, The University of Santo Tomas’ official school publication, reported that at least 30 student-athletes will lose their scholarships as part of the school’s cost-cutting measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the school then confirmed that it will still honor the scholarships awarded to its athletes.

According to the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) director Fr. Jannel Abogado, OP, its school’s student-athletes under scholarships won’t be affected by the school’s cost-cutting measures.

“In line with the statement made by UST’s Rector Magnificus Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, OP – in his letter to all the stakeholders of the university dated May 26, 2020 which guarantees that there will be a ‘continuation of the university scholarships granted during the second term of the academic year 2019-2020 until December 2020,’ all scholarships conferred by IPEA to its athletes during the second term of the academic year 2019-2020 shall be carried on until December 2020. Therefore, there shall be no athlete who will be released from scholarship this coming first term of A.Y. 2020-2021,” it stated.

Reports also said that some student-athletes will be downgraded as part of the training pool of their various sport to somehow avail the 50 percent scholarship.

However, the school then again emphasized that all student-athletes will be keeping their scholarships but will still depend if the UAAP Season will resume this year.