Ngee Ann Poly's top students Merissa Jane Lee Hui Yi. -- ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
NGEE Ann Polytechnic (NP) top student Merissa Jane Lee, 19, knew that it would be difficult for her parents to afford the $150,000 in tuition fees for a film-and-television degree in the United States (US).
But now, the mass communication student does not have to worry as she has received a 'blank cheque' from the Ngee Ann Kongsi foundation which she can use to pay for tuition fees at any university of her choice.
The bond-free scholarship comes with the Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal which is given out each year to NP's top student, who will also get $10,000 in cash.
Top students from the various NP schools are interviewed by a panel of judges made up of the polytechnic's senior management who decide whom will get the medal.
Ms Lee, who has a Grade Point Average of 3.83 and who scored mostly As and Bs for her modules, said she aimed to get the medal since her first year at the polytechnic. She added that she was 'filled with a sense of relief' when she learnt that she got it two weeks ago.
'Without a scholarship, my dreams of studying overseas would be dashed. So from my first year in poly, I've been working hard, staying back late at night in school, working on projects and studying hard to make sure that I gave my best for every assignment. It really feels like a dream come true,'said Ms Lee, who hopes to pursue a career in TV and film in the US.
