2. How is this program managed?

3. Who qualifies for the scholarship? 

4. Must the student major in a specific degree to receive an award?

5. Who selects the recipient of the scholarship?

6. How can I contribute?

7. How do you ensure that my contribution goes to the intended recipient?

8. Is my contribution tax deductible?

9. How much of my contribution goes to the scholarship?

10. Who are the participating Universities?

The BBFAA Scholarship Fund is a program instituted by the Big Bend Filipino American Association in Tallahassee, Florida in 2004 to provide financial assistance to poor but deserving undergraduate students in the Philippines.

2. How is this program managed?

The BBFAA Scholarship Fund is managed by the Scholarship Committee whose primary function is to oversee the operation and implementation of the Scholarship Program. In addition, the committee is also responsible for raising the funds necessary for its continued operation.

3. Who qualifies for the scholarship? 

All Filipino citizens regardless of age, sex, religious belief or ethnicity enrolled in any publicly funded college or university and whose family income does not exceed P200,000 annually are qualified for this scholarship. In order to keep the scholarship, a student must maintain certain performance criteria.

4. Must the student major in a specific degree to receive an award?

Yes, priority areas are Education, Agriculture, Science, Engineering, and Social Work.

5. Who selects the recipient of the scholarship?

The Financial Aid Office of the participating University prescreens the applicants. The Scholarship Committee chooses from among the candidates. The number of scholarships awarded vary, depending on available funds.

6. How can I contribute?

You may send your contributions to:

BBFAA Scholarship Funds

P.O. Box 227

Tallahassee, FL, USA 32302-0227

or click this link.

7. How can you ensure that my contribution goes to the intended recipient?

The scholarship money is deposited in a bank in the Philippines where the participating University normally do its business. During the enrollment period, the funds are withdrawn directly by the University to pay for the recipient's tuition and fees. Every end of semester the recipients are required to submit a report. The University also submits the transcript of records to BBFAA. 

8. Is my contribution tax deductible?

Yes, the BBFAA is a not-for-profit corporation recognized under United States Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Contributions to BBFAA is fully tax-deductible on the Federal Income Tax return.

9. How much of my contribution goes to the scholarship?

Ninety cents of every dollar is guaranteed to go to the scholarship. The expenses for printing, mailing, fees as well as advertising costs are capped at 10% of the contribution. The officers of the BBFAA and the members of the Scholarship Committee are dedicated volunteers who give their time and effort towards this program without any monetary remuneration.

10. Who are the participating Universities?

In the first year of implementation, all the campuses of the University of the Philippines (Baguio, Manila, Diliman, Los Banos, Cebu, Iloilo, Tacloban, and Davao) are planned. In subsequent years, depending on funds generated, other state colleges and universities will be included, for example, Philippine Polytechnic University (Manila), Technical University of the Philippines (Manila), Philippine Normal University (Manila), Bulacan State University (Malolos), Mariano Marcos State University, Mindanao State University (Iligan), Central Luzon State University (Nueva Ecija), Leyte State University (Baybay), University of Northern Philippines (Vigan), and many others.