The Regional Government's resolution establishing the Merit Award for Higher Education Admission was published today in the Official Journal with effect from the 2019/2020 school year; it consists of a cash prize amounting to 500 Euros.
The award will be delivered by the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for Education and Culture. It is intended "to support the admission of young people from the Autonomous Region of the Azores in higher education," excluding the admission in distance higher education.
According to the rules in force, the award eligibility depends on the applications submitted by students or their legal representatives or, in the case of underage students, by the person with parental or guardianship rights.
Students applying for this award should provide evidence that they have been permanently residing in the Region for, at least, three years at the time of application and that they have attended and completed a secondary school course in a regional school establishment during the same period of time. Additionally, they are also required to have never been enrolled in a higher education institution.
Applications take place during the 10 working days following the publication of the final results of applicants' admission in higher education. Interested students should submit a requirement to the Regional Secretariat for Education.
After their assessment, within 10 working days of receipt of the requirements, and their approval, applications will be published in the Official Journal and the final results will be made public on the Regional Government Portal.
This measure aims to implement "a 21st century school committed to the success and future of Azorean youth." It is in line with the goal of making the next generation of Azoreans "not only the most qualified, but also the most competent and civically involved with the community where it belongs to."
According to the resolution, "young Azoreans should be provided with all the necessary tools for the achievement of their educational and professional success, becoming participating and committed citizens to the values of Democracy and Autonomy."
Besides the qualification of Azorean youth, the Regional Government also intends to "improve secondary education completion rates in view of promoting the entry into higher education as well as to involve families in their children's school path. This goal will be achieved by implementing a series of strategies or creating incentives that can help families to guide children and have an attitude of confidence and appreciation towards educational success.