UP Diliman (UPD), through the Office of Scholarship Grants (OSG), facilitated the creation of a Deed of Donation (DODA) for the establishment of the Jonathan M. Sterling Scholarship Fund.
The Jonathan M. Sterling Scholarship Fund is designed to provide financial assistance to qualified but financially disadvantaged undergraduate students from the first year through the completion of a four-year degree program. The scholarship will be implemented beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year and is expected to benefit a total of 89 scholars over the life of the fund.
Stirling, a British national, is a software developer currently living in the Philippines. Mr. Sterling believes that education is a powerful vehicle for opportunity and social mobility and has practiced philanthropy through several scholarship programs.
“They say the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago and the next best time is today. I think giving the gift of education is the same as planting a tree. They’re not going to be an industrial giant in a year or two, but 20 years from today they’re going to be an industry leader, a national leader,” Sterling said.
UPD Chancellor Edgardo L. Vistan II expressed his gratitude to Mr. Sterling for his very generous and significant scholarship donation to UPD. “This is a very generous donation and a contribution to the future of Filipino youth and the students of this university.”
Scholarship eligibility is as follows: Must be a successful candidate in UPCAT. You must be a bona fide new student at UPD enrolled in a four-year undergraduate degree program. Total household income must be less than 700,000 pesos per year. Must not be the beneficiary of any other scholarship or educational grant. and shall not be subject to any disciplinary action greater than a five-day suspension.
According to DODA, the scholarship shall continue each semester for up to eight regular semesters and one intermediate semester if the following conditions are met: Must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher with a load of at least 12 credits and no more than 18 credits, consistent with the study plan of the degree program. There are no grade 5s. Grades of 4 or incomplete grades must be removed or completed by the last day of registration for the following semester. Additionally, the applicant must not have been found guilty of any disciplinary action taken by the Office of Student Ethics.
DODA was signed by Vistan and Sterling on February 25 at Quezon Hall. OSG Director Christine C. Hernandez and Jonathan M. Sterling Scholarship Fund Project Manager Myrna Verecio served as witnesses. UPD Vice President for Student Affairs Jose Carlo G. de Pano and Mr. Sterling’s partner Celeste Cortesi were also in attendance.