About the START Program
Rationale
The University has taken pride in the changing socio-economic mix of the student population. More and more, students from less-privileged backgrounds are becoming part of the Lasallian community through the increasing scholarship opportunities.
However, the sad reality remains that these students are not able to cope with non-tuition financial requirements, such as expenses for meals, transportation, class projects and activities, etc. On the other hand, the resources of the University are not enough to cover these items.
Given this scenario, there is a need to identify alternative sources of financial support for the students to prevent them from being disadvantaged.
In response to this need is the Student Assistantship and Resource Training (START) Program.
The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students and will be housed in the Office of Admissions and Scholarships (OAS) because of its links to financial assistance.
Objectives
The objectives of the Student Assistantship Program are as follows:
- To provide financial assistance to students in need;
- To assist students in obtaining practical/work skills and experience;
- To build students’ interpersonal skills in the workplace;
- To assist students in developing contacts, references, recommendations;
- To provide the University an opportunity to scout for top student assistants for potential full-time job offers after graduation; and
- To immerse students in the Lasallian work environment.
*Application Period WEEK 14 of current term to WEEK 2 of incoming term
Student Eligibility and Retention
Eligibility
Students who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate in the START Program:
- Must be a Filipino citizen;
- Must be an undergraduate student of De La Salle University-Manila enrolled in at least twelve (12) units or a graduate student enrolled in at least six (6) units during the term of assistantship;
- Must not be enrolled in more than eighteen (18) units for undergraduate students and not more than twelve (12) units for graduate students;
- Must not have any major offense;
- Must have a Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 at the time of application;
- Must not have a failing grade in any course in the preceding term of enrollment; and
- Must have written consent from Parent On-Record for undergraduate students; graduate students who are on study leave must have written consent from his/her employer or from the Institution/Office/School he/she is currently affiliated with.
Retention
STARTers in the program who meet the following criteria are eligible to continue:
- All the criteria for eligibility; and
- Must have a performance appraisal rating of at least 85% in the preceding term of assistantship.
Benefits and Privileges
STARTers shall enjoy the following benefits/privileges during their term of assistantship:
- Priority slot in the Student Loan Program; and
- Advance enrollment privilege (for undergraduate STARTers who render the maximum 20 hours a week)
Conditions on Student Assistantship
- Hours to be Rendered
- STARTers report for a minimum of five (5) hours per week to a maximum of twenty (20) hours per week;
- The schedule of residency must be from Mondays to Saturdays, 0800 to 2000;
- STARTers who are asked to render residency on holidays will be paid holiday time.
- Generally, STARTers are not allowed to render residency during the last two weeks of the term.
- START Student Assistantship may be terminated during its term for cause.
- STARTers shall be subject to student discipline, as contained in the Student Handbook.
Procedures for requesting STARTers
For the requirements of student assistants, the following procedures will be observed:
- Requesting office sends an email to the OAS Director and attaches the accomplished STARTer REQUISITION FORM.
- If the request is for renewal of the STARTer, the concerned office must accomplish the Request Form for Renewal of STARTer.
- OAS coordinates with the Requesting office for additional details of the request, if necessary.
- OAS processes the request and informs the Requesting office of updates on the hiring of the STARTer. The processing period is approximately 2 weeks after receipt of the request.
Procedures for applying as STARTers
For applications to become STARTers, the following procedures will be observed:
- Submission of the following to the Office of Admissions and Scholarships (OAS):
- START Application Form [two (2) original copies];
- Updated Resume [two (2) original copies];
- Two (2) 2×2 colored recent photos;
- A printed copy of grades of the previous terms;
- Copy of EAF for the current term;
- Accomplished Parental Consent Form (for undergraduate students only) with an attached photocopy of the valid ID of the Parent-on-Record; and
- Certificate of Good Moral Character from the Student Discipline Formation Office (SDFO).
- OAS keeps applications/documents on active file.
Applications may be general and need not correspond to a particular vacancy. - OAS informs the applicant of possible placement.
- OAS coordinates with the student assistant when accepted by the requesting office.