BOSCONIANS 5-7 YEARS OLD
SOSTEGNO A DISTANZA
BOSCONIANS 5-7 YEARS OLD
SOSTEGNO A DISTANZA
Education is the greatest gift we can offer a child, yet for many families, the dream of a Bosconian education remains just out of reach. Through Sostegno a Distanza (SAD)—literally translated as "Support from a Distance"—families now have the opportunity to give their son the best quality education possible. Don Bosco Tarlac and SAD program make it possible.
Sostegno a Distanza (SAD) is an Italian phrase that literally translates to "Support from a Distance" (or Long-Distance Support).
It is a child sponsorship program—usually funded by Italian benefactors, organizations, or Salesian foundations—designed to help children in need to stay in school.
It is a "Partnership Scholarship." A sponsor from far away believes in your son's potential and is willing to cover part of his educational expenses so he can receive a quality Don Bosco education. For each successful applicant, a financial grant of €260.00 per year will be accorded to him until he turns 18, provided all requirements for his retention were adhered to.
The program focuses on children with ages 5 to 7 years old. While entry is limited to ages 5–7, the support is long-term. But why focus on ages 5 to 7? These are the "foundation years." At this age, children are most receptive to learning, character formation, and developmental milestones. By sponsoring a child at the start of their schooling, they are ensured of building a strong academic foundation in a supportive environment, receive holistic formation through the Salesian preventive system, and develop the social and spiritual values that define a true Bosconian.
Initial eligibility requirements to be granted a SAD grant. The applicant must:
1. Be a resident of Tarlac Province;
2. Belong to the poor and marginalized sector of society;
3. Follow the provision set by the institution, in terms of providing assistance in various departments or offices where their services are needed when they reach Junior High School; and
4. Not have any family member who is a current scholar so as to give more families a chance to experience Bosconian education.
5. Must be 5 to 7 years old. For the age cut-off of 7 years old, the student must be 7 years old by August 31 of the applicable year.
1. Admission Test Result (for new/transferee students only)
2. SAD Scholarship Program Application Form
3. Birth Certificate (PSA Copy)
4. Baptismal Certificate
5. 4th Quarter Report Card (for incoming Grade 1 and 2)
6. Good Moral Certificate (for incoming Grade 1 and 2)
7. Two (2) copies of a 2x2 picture taken six months or earlier prior to the submission date
8. Letter of Intent (by parents – as application letter)
9. A clear photo of the residence (full view of the gate, street towards the house, whole house, and house number) and the kitchen (main and dirty kitchen with the refrigerator in the photo). If residing in a building, condominium, or apartment, please submit a photo of the whole building and the building, condominium, or apartment number.
10. A clear drawing of the directions from a landmark to the applicant’s house.
11. Proof of income of parents/guardians (latest annual ITR OR, certificate of employment, affidavit of the source of income stating average monthly earnings or support, certificate of non-filing of ITR OR, or municipal certificate of non-employment.
12. If applicable, a copy of parents’ credit card billing statements for the last two (2) months.
In reference to the complete admission requirements, to establish eligibility for Long-Distance Support (SAD) in the Philippines, families must provide documents that verify their identity, socioeconomic status, and the specific needs of the child.
A. Essential Identification Documents
These verify the legal existence and relationship of the beneficiaries:
PSA Birth Certificate: An original or certified photocopy from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for the child to verify age and parentage.
Valid Government IDs: Photocopies of IDs for the parents or legal guardians (e.g., National ID (PhilSys), Voter’s ID, or Postal ID).
Marriage Contract / CENOMAR: A Marriage Certificate (if parents are married) or a Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR) if the mother is a single parent.
B. Socioeconomic & Residency Proof
These are used to confirm the family's "indigent" or "near poor" status:
Certificate of Indigency: Issued by the local Barangay Hall, stating that the family has no stable income or falls below the poverty threshold.
Barangay Certificate of Residency: Confirms the family has lived in the community for a significant period.
C. Purpose-Specific Documents
Depending on the focus of your SAD program (e.g., education or health), you should also request:
For Education: Recent School Report Cards (Form 138), a Certificate of Enrollment, or a validated School ID.
For Legal Guardianship: If the child is not with biological parents, a Court Order or an Affidavit of Guardianship is required.
D. Written Consent
Written Agreement / Concurrence: The parent or legal guardian must sign a formal document signifying their concurrence to be a recipient of the support.
A student who receives a scholarship during the current academic year is automatically evaluated for renewal at the end of the school year. Each child will be supported until they turn 18.
A SAD scholar should abide by the following conditions set by the RECTOR or the Office-In-Charge/Assigned to oversee this program.
1. The recipient student should minimum academic average of 80 and above in all subjects per quarter.
2. The recipient student should maintain a quarterly descriptive remark of AO (Always Observed) in his conduct grade.
3. The recipient student must not incur four (4) or more of any of the following conduct descriptive remarks MO (Mostly Observed), SO (Sometimes Observed), RO (Rarely Observed), NI (Needs Improvement), and NO (Not Observed) in any quarter.
4. The recipient student must consistently perform his/her duty of attending his/her classes and other school activities regularly and punctually and passing all requirements on the set time.
The following are grounds for non-renewal:
1. If a student's academic grade is lower than what is in the provision set by the committee, or fails to meet academic or conduct standards.
2. If a student displays questionable conduct and is not in accordance with what is set by the institution.
3. If a student fails to comply with the school's policy, or shows any violation of school policies.
4. If during the school year, the first quarter, for example, a scholar fails to meet the set provision, s/he is given a warning/probation. If s/he has failed in more than one (1) quarter, he will be disqualified from the program, the following school year.
5. If during the school year, the student drops out of school early, or voluntarily withdraws or drops out from the academic program.
NOTE:
Parents of grantees will be oriented on their responsibility. Parents should follow up with their sons/daughters as regard their studies and their obligation.
A regular follow-up of the scholars regarding their performance will be done quarterly by their advisers, the APAA and the APSA, every grading term.
The scholarship program committee will visit from time to time make a background check on the scholars, and the grantee must notify the committee of any change in name, address, and contact details.
The applicant must pass the school’s admission test with a rating of QUALIFIED/PASSED at the Guidance and Testing Office.
Get a copy of the SAD Scholarship Program Application Form from the School Guards at the Guardhouse (Front Gate) and in a long brown envelope, submit all admission requirements to the SAD Coordinator.
The applicants who have submitted the admission requirements shall receive a call or message from the screening committee for the schedule of the interview. After passing the interview, the screening committee shall conduct a house visit for further assessment. Then, the new scholars, together with their parents or guardians, shall attend the annual orientation and participate in the contract signing.
Lastly, the scholars shall proceed with the enrollment.
For inquiries, contact the SAD Coordinator on Admission and Renewal at (contact person and contact number).