Claim: Interested students can apply for the Peace Corps Alumni Foundation for Philippine Development (PCAFPD) scholarship program through the link provided in a Facebook post.
Rating: FALSE
Why we fact-checked this: The post containing the claim has 195 shares, 76 comments, and 37 reactions as of writing. It was posted on a Facebook group with 1,600 members and reshared on several other groups.
The post provides a link for interested students to submit their applications for the scholarship program.
The facts: The link in the Facebook post does not redirect to the official application site for the PCAFPD scholarship program, but to an unaffiliated blogging site.
Online users can be seen commenting and sharing their personal information, including full name, address, and school, on the blogging site. Users who click on such links and provide personal information online are at risk of having their sensitive information stolen. (READ: Phishing 101: How to spot and avoid phishing)
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PCAFPD scholarship application: PCAFPD is an affiliate of the US-based National Peace Corps Association. Established in 1983, the foundation provides scholarships for Filipino students who need financial support to further their studies.
The scholarship program is open to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate courses. Eligible students must be Filipino citizens who need financial assistance, have a record of strong academic performance, leadership, and community service, and do not intend to work overseas after graduation.
Interested students can apply until October 31 through the application form that can be accessed only on the foundation’s official website.
Along with their application, students are required to submit their latest report card, three essays on different topics, income certification, and recommendation forms.
To learn more about the PCAFPD scholarship program, visit the foundation’s official website and social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Previous fact checks: Rappler has debunked posts circulating online with fake links to various scholarship programs:
- FACT CHECK: No PhilSys program offering P5,000 aid for national ID holders
- FACT CHECK: Link for ‘CHED scholarship program’ posted by fake DSWD page
- FACT CHECK: No application link for Landbank scholarship program
- FACT CHECK: Link for DSWD educational aid registration is fake
– Ailla Dela Cruz/Rappler.com
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