Question & AnswerQ&A (Act No. 854)
The primary purpose of Act No. 854 is to provide for the education of Filipino students in the United States and to appropriate funds for such purpose.
The division superintendents of the public schools in each school division of the Philippine Islands are responsible for conducting the examinations.
Candidates must be students of public schools, natives of the Philippine Islands, of good moral character, sound physical condition, and between sixteen and twenty-one years of age.
Candidates must receive a percentage of not less than seventy-five in each subject of examination to be certified as eligible.
The Civil Governor has the authority to appoint students from the certified list and also may appoint additional students for special instruction with the approval of the Philippine Commission.
Special instruction students not included in the certified list must be natives of the Philippine Islands, not more than twenty-five years of age, of good moral character, and in sound physical condition.
The physician conducts a thorough physical examination of each selected student, and appointment depends on a favorable report from the physician.
Appointed students must take an oath of allegiance to the U.S. Government and sign an agreement to attend the designated institution for four years or as prescribed, conform to rules, study diligently, return to the Philippines after study, take a civil-service exam, accept a civil service appointment if certified, and serve for a period equal to their study time unless separated earlier by competent authority.
The Civil Governor, with Commission approval, may appoint an agent in the U.S. to receive students, arrange transportation, entrance to institutions, provide care and protection, and report quarterly on students' health, welfare, and progress.
The maximum cost is five hundred dollars per student per annum, plus actual and necessary traveling expenses to the educational institution and back to Manila upon completion of studies.
Seventy-two thousand dollars in U.S. currency is appropriated out of any funds in the Insular Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
The Act took effect upon its passage on August 26, 1903.