Scope of the Scholarship Program
- Open to all career service government employees except those in the third level.
- Targeted for employees pursuing graduate studies in public administration.
Sponsorship Limits per Agency
- Each government agency can sponsor up to six scholars simultaneously per academic year.
- New nominations can only occur after current scholars graduate or drop out for valid reasons.
Nomination Procedures
- The head of the agency is responsible for official nomination, using prescribed forms from the Civil Service Commission.
- "Head of agency" refers to an individual with authority to grant scholarship privileges and commit agency resources.
- Agencies may nominate multiple candidates meeting the required qualifications.
Selection Process via Competitive Examinations
- Annual competitive examinations are conducted by the Civil Service Commission to select scholars.
- Examination results are valid only for the year taken.
- The Commission sets qualifications and announces exam schedules and locations.
- Candidates from provinces take exams at designated regional venues.
- Preference is given to candidates with higher examination scores if nominees exceed agency slots.
Responsibilities of the Nominating Agency
- Agencies must cover all official school expenses billed by the university.
- Availability of agency funds is a prerequisite for nomination.
- Agencies provide book allowances, with rates set by agency heads in consultation with universities.
- Coordination among multiple scholars is required for book purchasing and usage.
- After the first semester with satisfactory performance, scholars may work half-day.
- Full-time study leave is granted in the final semester for thesis writing.
Responsibilities of the Scholar
- Scholars must enroll within one year of passing the exam; failure results in forfeiture.
- Minimum course load: nine units per semester, six units in summer if enrolled.
- Maximum duration to complete the course is three years from original enrollment.
- Scholars must submit regular progress reports to the Civil Service Commission and their agency.
- Failure to pass any subject leads to automatic discontinuation of the scholarship.
- No overtime pay is allowed for class attendance time.
- Books bought with agency funds must be surrendered to the sponsoring agency library after scholarship termination.
- Scholars must render government service for at least two years per academic year of scholarship or reimburse expenses if they do not serve.
Service Obligation and Alternative Reimbursement
- Obligated to serve a minimum of two years in any government branch for every academic year funded.
- Alternatively, scholars may opt to reimburse the government for all expenses if they choose not to fulfill the service period.