Insider Spotlight
The digital-first college said rising costs of transportation, electricity, food, and other essentials are increasing the financial burden on students who are also helping support their families.
MMDC said its students typically spend only P12,000 to P14,000 per term for a light academic load covering three subjects, part of its effort to keep education accessible despite inflationary pressures.
Why it matters
Working students are among the sectors most vulnerable to prolonged cost increases, with many at risk of delaying or abandoning their studies altogether. MMDC said its expanded Pangarap Support initiative is designed to help students continue their education while managing tighter household budgets.
Under the program, students enrolling in BS Information Technology and business courses may receive up to 36 percent in tuition discounts through combined scholarship offerings.
Solo parents, children of solo parents, and working youth aged 18 to 25 may also qualify for a 30 percent discount under the NextGen Discount Program, while families enrolling together can receive tuition discounts of up to 60 percent.
The support measures
MMDC also broadened support options beyond tuition assistance by introducing programs aimed at easing cash flow concerns for students balancing work and studies.
The school partnered with GCash for the GGives Study Now, Pay Later Loan Program, allowing enrollees to pay tuition and school fees through installment plans ranging from six to 18 months.
Students may also apply for a Gadget Scholarship that provides laptops or portable Wi-Fi devices to qualified recipients.
Meanwhile, MMDC is offering access to short-term certification programs for P990 monthly. The fully online courses, delivered through Coursera, cover areas such as digital marketing, artificial intelligence, data analytics, virtual assistance, and English language training.
What they’re saying
“With our digital-first model, accessibility is always an essential pillar for us at MMDC. We’re emphasizing this commitment by ensuring high-quality Mapúan Academic Excellence remains attainable to as many students as possible, no matter their financial situation,” said Jenny Chua, vice president at MMDC.
“Our goal is to help Filipino working students earn a college degree that offers an edge both locally and globally or obtain an in-demand certification,” Chua added. — Princess Daisy C. Ominga | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
