ONE in eight Singapore Management University (SMU) students starting school this year will receive a scholarship - due in part to the generosity of other students and alumni.

Last year's graduating cohort donated $30,000 to set up the Graduating Class of 2008 Scholarship. Three needy SMU undergraduates will each receive $10,000 this year.

The Ee Seng and Claire Lim Accountancy Scholarship was established by SMU alumni and valedictorian Darren Lim in 2006. He gives $4,000 annually.

Last year, the Krishna Exchange Scholarship was established by an anonymous SMU business management graduate. Every year, it will give $5,000 each to two students who want to study for a semester overseas.

Student groups also help.

Members of Bizcom, the business committee of the Students' Association, launched a scholarship in 2007 with funds raised from business ventures and managing school events.

The SMUSA-BIZCOM CCA Scholarship, worth $2,500, will be given every year to two students who balance both their studies and co-curricular activities well.

AMELIA TAN

This article was first published in The Straits Times.