Sta. Catalina College proudly participates in the Education Service Contracting (ESC) program, a partnership initiative by the Department of Education (DepEd) designed to ease overcrowding in public junior high schools. Through ESC, certified private junior high schools like Sta. Catalina College offer additional slots to qualified students who would otherwise attend public schools. These slots come with ESC grants, providing financial assistance to eligible students, known as ESC grantees.

The ESC program is committed to making quality junior high school education accessible for deserving elementary graduates who wish to pursue their studies in a private school environment. ESC grantees at Sta. Catalina College receive assured financial support throughout their junior high school years, as long as they meet the requirements for promotion at each grade level.

Terms of the ESC Grant

Per the guidelines on the implementation of the ESC Program in Junior High Schools (D.O. No. 20, s. 2017), the following terms apply:

1. Coverage: The ESC grant covers four years of junior high school, starting from Grade 7. New ESC grants are not awarded at higher grade levels.
2. Grant Continuation: The grant is retained each school year if the grantee:
   • Is promoted to the next grade level, and
   • Enrolls in an ESC-participating junior high school. No specific grade requirements must be met within a school year to maintain the grant.
3. Termination of the Grant: The ESC grant will be terminated if the grantee:
   • Drops out mid-year for non-health reasons;
   • Fails to reenroll the following school year;
   • Is not promoted to the next grade level or is retained in the same grade;
   • Receives disciplinary suspension exceeding two weeks, or is dismissed/expelled from school;
   • Transfers to a junior high school that does not participate in the ESC program.
4. Transfers: Transfers to other ESC-participating junior high schools are allowed. If the subsidy amount differs between the releasing and accepting schools, the accepting school will receive the lower subsidy amount.
5. Reinstatement: Grantees who withdraw from the program due to prolonged illness, accident, force majeure, or the death of a parent/guardian may request reinstatement. Relevant documents, such as a medical certificate from a licensed physician, must be submitted to PEAC to support the claim.

Application for the ESC Grant

Incoming Grade 7 students who wish to apply for the ESC program at Sta. Catalina College (SCC) should follow the steps below and submit all required documents.

1. Complete the ESC Application Form
   • Please fill out the Education Service Contracting (ESC) Application Form.
   • To obtain a copy of the form, request it from the Admission Office or sign up online to receive a download link.
2. Prepare the following documents
   • Recent identical 2×2 ID photo (2 copies)
   • Photocopy of PSA-certified birth certificate (1 copy)
   • Photocopy of Grade 6 report card
   • Latest Income Tax Return for the previous year, Certificate of Tax Exemption, or Municipal Certification of Unemployment of parents/legal guardian (or any valid proof of income, including a certification issued by the Barangay).
3. Submit the ESC Application Form and Documents
   • Onsite Submission: Submit all ESC application requirements to the Registrar’s Office during onsite enrollment.
   • Drop Box Submission: Place your ESC application requirements in a sealed long envelope, labeled with the student’s name and parent/guardian’s contact number, and drop it in the designated box at the SCC entrance gate.
   • Courier Submission: If you reside outside Manila, mail your ESC application documents in a sealed long envelope, labeled with the student’s name and contact number, to: To the Registrar, Sta. 2660 Legarda, Sampaloc, Manila
   • Await Application Results

The Registrar’s Office will contact you via text message to inform you of the results of your application.

Document Requirements Guide

For Applicants or Guardians in the Following Situations:

1. Employed in the Philippines (including self-employed)
   • Required Document: Latest Annual Income Tax Return or Certificate of Employment
   • Where to Obtain: Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) or from Employer
2. Employed Abroad
   • Required Document: Certificate of Employment
   • Where to Obtain: Employer or Recruitment Agency
3. Unemployed and Without Income
   • Required Document: Certificate of Non-Filing of Income Tax Return or Municipal Certificate of Unemployment
   • Where to Obtain: BIR or Barangay Office
4. Unemployed but with Other Sources of Income
   • Required Document: Affidavit of Financial Support (stating monthly support provided) or Affidavit of Unemployment
   • Where to Obtain: Notary Public

For questions, please contact the SCC Registrar’s Office.

Selection of Grantees

Priority for ESC grants will be given to graduates of public elementary schools. While these students are eligible for ESC subsidies, they must first undergo an assessment process by the School Committee. The committee will review and profile applicants, selecting grantees based on financial need due to the limited number of ESC slots available at the school.

Transferees with ESC Grants from their Previous School

To continue receiving the ESC grant, transferees must submit a Certification Letter to the Registrar’s Office at the time of enrollment. This letter should include the 7-digit ESC School ID of their previous school and the student’s ESC ID number.