Gumption, not great grades, get students their scholarships

Unlike other scholarships, which are usually bestowed on straight-A students, the Howe Yoon Chong PSA scholarship opens up opportunities for students averaging Bs who come from low-income families, have faced adversity, and yet are contributing to the community. "We decided to have the Howe Yoon Chong foundation benefit those who are very bright kids from very poor families," said Mr Ong Boon Hwee, chairman of the scholarship committee. "They have the gumption to overcome when given the chance." Given in memory of Mr Howe, who was PSA chairman from 1970 to 1979, the bond-free scholarship covers tuition and other compulsory fees in full, as well as book and living expenses, for studies at SMU, NUS, NTU, polytechnics and ITEs. The fund is paid into by PSA, Neptune Shipping Lines and Temasek Holdings. A total of 88 students have received scholarships since 2009.