Rising training costs nearly halted Marie Antonette Serafico’s nursing studies at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, but a scholarship supported by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go has allowed her to continue pursuing her dream.

Serafico is a recipient of the Commission on Higher Education’s Tulong Dunong Program (TDP), a financial aid initiative. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth, Go has advocated for making higher education more accessible.

“The TDP scholarship helps me pay for the RLE fee for us nursing students,” Serafico said, referring to the “Related Learning Experience” required for nursing students.

The TDP is a national program providing financial assistance to eligible Filipino students, enabling those from low-income families to pursue and complete college degrees in fields such as nursing, engineering and teaching.

Serafico plans to maximize the support she has received. “I will use the scholarship grant I receive again to pay for and continue my dream of studying,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to those making her education possible. “My message to Senator Kuya Bong Go, thank you very much for the opportunity you gave us and I hope he can help many more,” Serafico said.